Justice of the Common Pleas, who bluntly
told them that they might be of service in washing up the pots and pans.
The citizens had their revenge, however. They set up an effigy of the man
at a conspicuous arch or tower in Cheapside, in which he appeared to the
whole of the procession as it passed on its way to Westminster, in the
ignominious attitude of vomiting wine.(620) This was enough; the Londoners
gained the day, and were allowed to perform their customary services at
the banquet, and the mayor got his gold cup.(621)

(M336)

Richard was only eleven years of age when raised to the throne. A council
was therefore appointed to govern in his name. Neither the Duke of
Lancaster nor any other of the king's uncles were elected councillors,
and, for a time, John of Gaunt retired into comparative privacy. The task
of the council was not easy. The French plundered the coast,(622) and the
Scots plundered the borders. Money was sorely needed. The City consented
to advance the sum of L5,000 upon the security of the customs of the Port
of London and of certain plate and jewels,(623) and when parliament met
(13 Oct., 1377) it made a liberal grant of two tenths and two fifteenths,
which was to be collected without delay, on the understanding that two
treasurers should be appointed to superintend the due application of the
money.(624) The two treasurers appointed for this purpose were two
citizens of note, namely, William Walworth and John Philipot, of whose
financial capability mention has already been made.

(M337)

Before parliament broke up it gave its assent to a new charter to the
City.(625) Foreigners (_i.e._ non-freemen) were again forbidden to traffic
in the city among themselves by retail, and the City's franchises were
confirmed and enlarged. So much importance was attached to this charter
that Brembre, the mayor, caused its main provisions to be published
throughout the city.(626)

(M338)

Lancaster soon became tired of playing a subordinate part in the
government of the kingdom. As a preliminary step to higher aims, he
contrived, after some little opposition, to obtain the removal of the
subsidy granted by the last parliament, out of the hands of Walworth and
Philipot into his own, although these men had given no cause for suspicion
of dishonourable conduct in the execution of their public trust.(627)

(M339)

The energetic John Philipot soon found other work to do. The English coast
had recently become inf