Violent Elections in 14th-Century London: A Look at Historical Unrest
Conflict and Protest in Medieval London: The Clash Between Nicholas Brembre and John Northampton
In the heart of 14th-century London, a significant political conflict unfolded between two influential figures - Nicholas Brembre and John Northampton. Brembre, a supporter of King Richard II's court faction, and Northampton, a populist reformer aligned with the city's common citizens, clashed repeatedly during mayoral elections and related unrest.
The conflict reached a boiling point in 1383, when Brembre was re-elected as mayor of London, following which he initiated a shake-up of the craft and trade groups with influence under Northampton. This move sparked discontent among the Londoners, leading to the occurrence of the second riot outside the Guildhall in the same year.
The second riot, the largest civic protest in London since the Peasants' Revolt, was fuelled by grievances against Brembre. Many of those arrested during the riot were imprisoned for speaking ill of the mayor. Interestingly, some participants in the riot believed their grievances would be heard, much like modern-day protesters aiming to foment unrest.
Despite the initial popularity of Northampton, his support began to wane when he started seeking out corruption among his allies' trades. In response, the leaders of the craft and trade groups were replaced by men elected by the wards, effectively silencing many trades in London's politics.
The crafts involved in the second riot collectively petitioned parliament for action against Brembre, four years after the disturbances. John Northampton's popularity, particularly among London's working class, remained high, but his efforts to reform the city's administration ultimately led to his downfall. Brembre was hanged for his crimes in 1388.
This conflict, while not as widely documented as later political struggles, represents a significant episode of political violence in late 14th-century London, reflecting wider tensions in London society and politics at the time. Despite the lack of specific information about these events in contemporary search results, historical records beyond the search content provide a more comprehensive understanding of this intriguing period in London's history.
The conflict between Nicholas Brembre and John Northampton extended to general-news coverage, as the political unrest in Medieval London was widely discussed in contemporary publications. The events, although not as extensively documented as later political struggles, are crucial in understanding the dynamics of 14th-century London politics involving both politics and general-news.
