The Merciless Parliament (1388)

The Merciless Parliament lasted from the 3rd of February to the 4th of June. It was summoned by the lords appellant, the Duke of Gloucester, and the Earls of Arundel, Derby, Nottingham and Warwick, who accused some of Richard II's advisers of treason. Neville (Archbishop of York), Tresilian (chief justice), Brember (mayor of London), de Vere (Earl of Oxford), and de la Pole (Earl of Suffolk), were said to have given ill advice to the King and to have misused their power and influence for their own profits. Neville, Oxford and Suffolk had managed to leave the country but Tresilian and Brember as well as some lesser offenders were executed. During a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on the 3rd of June lords and commons renewed their oaths of alliance and Richard II promised to be a trustworthy king. The lords appellant remained influential at court for another year.