a disturbance in the City, and sent to Corfe Castle.(658) For
Northampton's arrest, as well as for the summary execution of a certain
John Constantyn, a cordwainer, who had been convicted of taking a leading
part in the disturbance, Brembre received a letter of indemnity from the
king.(659) The riot had one good effect. It roused public opinion against
monopolies and restriction of trade to such an extent, that Richard very
soon afterwards caused the city to be opened freely to all foreigners
_(i.e._, non-freemen) wishing to sell fish or other victuals.(660)

(M354)

In August (1384) the opinion of each individual member of the Common
Council was taken on oath, as to whether it would be to the advantage or
disadvantage of the city if Northampton were allowed to return; and it was
unanimously found that his return would breed dissension rather than peace
and unity.(661) Armed with this _plebiscite_ the mayor and a number of
citizens, whom the king had summoned by name, attended a council at
Reading for the purpose of determining the fate of Northampton. The
accused contented himself with objecting to sentence being passed against
him in the absence of his patron the Duke of Lancaster. This, however,
availed him nothing, and he was sentenced to perpetual imprisonment in
Tintagel Castle.(662) Another authority(663) states that the mayor brought
with him to the council a man named Thomas Husk or Usk (whose name, by the
way, does not appear in the list which the king forwarded to the mayor),
who made a number of charges against Northampton. The prisoner so far
forgot himself in the royal presence as to call Usk a liar, and to
challenge him to a duel. Matters were not improved by Northampton's appeal
for delay in passing sentence upon him in the absence of the Duke of
Lancaster. Richard flushed crimson with anger at the proposal, declaring
that he was ready to sit in judgment upon the duke no less than on
Northampton, and forthwith ordered the latter's execution, and the
confiscation of his goods. The sentence would have been earned out but for
the timely intercession of the queen, who flung herself at her husband's
feet and begged for the prisoner's life. The queen's prayer was granted,
and Northampton was condemned to perpetual imprisonment and remitted to
Corfe Castle. Thence, at the beginning of September, he was removed to the
Tower of London, where two of his partisans, John More, one of the
sheriffs, and Richard Northb