Norwich bulletin., 1914-12-04
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF EARL OF LANCASTER.


 There have been many trials which serve as specimens of the English Judicial system in early times and still other eases, which occurred in times of violence and arbitrary rule, in which law and justice yielded too often to passion and personal enmity.
 In the f4th century. Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, was the greatest living mo- bleman in England, barring the King. That he had his good traits was very obvious for we are told that when people had arguments to settle or troubles of any kind on his large es- tates, they always came to Thomas Tor decision. Also that he hated the wiles and hatterings of the court min ions, and consequently he was forever on i'll terms with his cousin. the King. At length a civil war broke out | the Earis of Lancaster and Hereford leading sthe opposition against the Royalist party. Finally Lancaster was taken prisoner, and it is worthy to
 note that he was the first leader of any civil war in England after the time of William the Conqueror that
 was executed for his part in leading
 an instruction.
 The record of the charge against the
 prisoner was very lengthy and writ ten in Latin. Part of it translated goes, Seeing that Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, wao was taken prisoner for | the many treasons. murders, burnings, depredation5 and divers other feloniesr | was brought before the King, where was present the following peers
 viz: Edmund Plantagenet, surnamed | of Woodstock, Earl of Kent, the King g
 brother; John de Dreux, Earl of Penn
 broke, Earl of Surrey. Earl of Arundel
 Earl of Athol, Earl of Angus and
 Lord Hugh Spencer. The Chief Jus tice was Lord Robert de Maimes-
 thorp. and several other peers of the
 realm"
 | Condensed, the following is the story of the charge, which was very long That Thomas, the Earl of Lancaster had, in times past carried himself
 wickedly, and maliciously contrary to
 his homage. faith and allegiance. He had purloined from NewcasLle-on-T Tyne
 various properties which the King had
 in storage at that place. such as jew
 els, armor, food and horses and sew
 eral other goods and moyables-'
 For this the culprit was forgiven bl I the King, but in return for the favol Lancaster went up to Yorkshire anC
 gathered together an army. When thu King was travelling north to York
 upon arriving at Burton Trent, h came upon Thomas, together witt
 Humphrey de Bohun. late Earl O Hereford. who was traitor to tn , King and kingdom, being found witt
 banners displayed at Burrow- -Brige
 waging war against the King ou
 Sovereign Lord.'
 The charge then further stated hoy that Thomas, together with his army
 had withheld the King for three day at the other side of the river at Bur
 ton-on-Trent; that when he saw tha , the King had effected a crossing, fie . with all his army, pillaged the tow ! of Burton and then feloniously burn
 all the houses and goods Then with l 5 arxzir, fr ha al oho h , had drawn up his army once more a
 if to oppose the King. displaying ban ners and waiting for the coming of hi ! sovereign, the King. into the field. It then went on to say how he ha : fled upon the approach of the royal
 ists, burning and sacking every tow
 through which they passed. Also tha v papers had been found which showe ? that he was negotiating an allianc with Robert the Bruce, Thomas Ran dolph, James Douglas and othe . Scotchmens who were enemies of tn ? King. A copy of the confederacy wa g read in court. and if true, would hay B been an epoch-making invasion, fo : the forces all intended to incorporate 3 which if they had done, would hay : made a formidable army which woul 3 have outnumbered the Kings
 a When the judgment came before tn l King. he was proclaimed guilty. wit g this amendment of mercy. That tn I Sa1Q IhOmaS shall not pc urdWn C !. hanged: but that the execution be don ' upon the said Earl. by beheading him
 This noble. who was the. Earl (
 five earldoms. of Lancaster, Lincoll : Leicester, Salisbury and Derby, wa beheaded on the same day, May : 1929, at "Pomfret'' now called Ponte 2 fract, in Yorkshire; together wit z some of his accomplices. Warin q ! Lisle, William Tochet, Thomas Mau . a duit Henry de Brade5orn, WilIial 2 Fitz- William and William Cheyne. 2 who were convicted of treason. oppos 3 ing the King, and committing depreds 3 tions. These six were not beheade as Thomas, but were drawn an
 hanged for the said treasons."