Arizona republican., 1914-05-23
.e.& &alllIS} U Lze U Great Trials History
Trial of the Earl of Lancaster

There have been many trials which serve as specimens of the English judicial system in early times and still other cases, which occurred in times of violence and arbitrary rule, in which law and justice yielded too often to passion and personal enmity
 In the fourteenth century, Thomas Earl of Lancaster, was the greatest living nobleman 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 estates, they always came to Thomas for a decision. Also, that he hated the Wiles and flatterings 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 Earls Of Lancaster and Hereford lead ing the opposition against the Royal ist party. Finally Lancaster was talk en prisoner, and it is worthy to note that he was the first leader in any civil war in England after the time of William the Conquerer that was exc cuted for his part in leading an insur- rection.
 The record of the charge against the prisoner was very lengthy and written in Latin. Part of it translated goes: Seeing that Thomas, Earl of Lancas- ter, who was taken prisoner for the many treasons, murders, burnings, de- predations and divers other felonies. fhn was present the following peers. viz: Edmund Plantagent, surnamed of Woodstock, Earl of Kent, the Kings brother; John de Dreux, Earl of Penn broke, Earl of Surrey, Earl of Arun- del, Earl of Athol, Earl of Angus and Lord Hugh Spencer The Chief Jus tice was Lord Robert de Malmesthorp. 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 Lan- caster, had, in times past, carried himself wickedly and maliciously con trary to his homage, faith and al l legiance. He had purloined from 1 NeWcastle-onT Tyne various proper l ties which the king had in storage at that place, such as jewels, armor | food and horses and several other | goods and moveables.'
 For this the culprit was forgiven | by the king, but in return for the l favor Lancaster went to Yorkshire and gathered together an army When | the king was travelling north to York, | upon arriving at Burton on-T Trent, he | came upon Thomas together with | Humphrey de Bohun, late Earl of | Hereford. who was a traitor to the king and kingdom, being found witt l banners displayed at Burrow- Brigg,
 waging war against the king our Sovereign Lord"
 | The charge then further stated how
 that Thomas, together with his army,
 had withheld the king for three days l at the other side of the river at
 Burton on-T Trent; that when he saw
 that the king had effected a crossing
 fled with all his army, pillaged the | town of Burton and then feloniously
 burnt all the houses and goods. Then | withdrawing to the field, it was
 charged. he had drawn up his army
 once more as if to oppose the king,
 displaying banners and waiting for
 the coming of his sovereign, the king,
 into the field.
 It then went on to say haw he had | fled upon the approach of the royal | ists, burning and sacking every town
 through which they passed Also that papers had been found which | showed that he was negotiating an alliance with Robert the Bruce, Tho mas Randolph, James Douglas and other Scotchmen, who were enemies
 of the king. A copy of the confed-
 eracy was read in court, and if true,
 would have been an epoch making invasion, for the forces all intended
 to incorporate, which, if they had
 done, would have made a formidable army which would have outnumbered
 the kings.
 When the judgment came before
 the king he was proclaimed guilty, with this amendment of mercy. That the said Thomas shall not be drawn
 or hanged; but that the execution | be done upon the said Earl, by be-
 heading him.
 This noble who was Earl of five
 earldoms, of Lancaster. Lincoln, Lie
 cester, Salisbury and Derby, was be-
 headed on the same day, May 2, 1929, at "Pomfret' now called Pontefract,
 in Yorkshire; together with some of his accomplices, Warren de Lisle, Will
 liam Tochet Thomas Mauduit, Henry
 de Bradeborn, William Fitz-William ] and William Cheyney, who were con victed of treason, opposing the king, and committing depredations. These six were drawn and hanged for the said treasons."