ty of explaining the earl's
position.(450)

(M270)

Whilst notifying the king that his wishes had been complied with, the
mayor and commonalty besought him that all measures of hostility between
himself and the barons might be suspended until parliament should meet.
The city became the headquarters of the dissatisfied bishops and nobles.
The Sunday before Christmas, the pulpit in St. Paul's was occupied by the
primate, who was equally anxious with the civic authorities that matters
should be left to be adjusted by parliament.(451)

(M271)

The barons in the city, in the meanwhile, awaited the arrival of the Earl
of Lancaster. On New Year's day he came, and on the 2nd January (1329) a
conference of bishops and barons took place at St. Paul's.(452) The
futility of an attempt to form a confederation soon became apparent. The
city stood fast to the king; some of the barons wavered, and nothing was
left to Lancaster but to make the best terms he could. Edward had already
offered pardon to all who should submit before the 7th January, with
certain exceptions.(453)

(M272)

Now that the king, or rather, we should say, Mortimer, was once more
master of the situation, the citizens who had favoured the constitutional
party became the objects of retribution. On Sunday, the 22nd January
(1329), the mayor and twenty-four citizens were ordered to meet the king
at St. Albans. They returned on the following Thursday with instructions
to see if the city was prepared to punish those who had favoured
Lancaster. No sooner were the king's wishes made known, than an enquiry
was at once set on foot. On Wednesday (1st February), the deputation
returned to the king, who was then at Windsor, to report the sense of the
city; and on the following Sunday (4th February), the king's justices
commenced to sit at the Guildhall for the trial of those implicated in the
late abortive attempt to overthrow Mortimer. Three days were consumed in
preliminary proceedings; and it was not until Wednesday (8th February)
that the real business of the session commenced. By that time the king
himself had come to London, and had taken up his headquarters at the
Tower, having passed through the city accompanied by his consort, the
queen-mother, and many of the nobility.(454) It does not appear that
Mortimer came with them.

(M273)

Among those who were brought to trial at the Guildhall was Chigwell. He
was accused of being implicated in the abduction of the