ion is entered in the
manner of the day.(669)

(M357)

In 1385 Brembre was again elected mayor, and continued in office until
October, 1386, when he was succeeded by his friend and ally, Nicholas
Exton. This was the fourth and last time Brembre was mayor. In the
meantime, the Duke of Lancaster and his party had renewed their efforts to
effect the release of Northampton and of his fellow prisoners, More and
Northbury, on the understanding that they were not to come near the City,
and Brembre again took the opinion of the aldermen and commons severally
as to the probable effect of the release of the prisoners. This occurred
in March, 1386, when it was unanimously resolved that danger would result
to the city if Northampton was allowed to come within 100 miles of
it.(670) The resolution caused much annoyance to the duke, who
characterised it as unreasonable and outrageous, and led to some heated
correspondence.(671) It had, however, the desired effect of at least
postponing the release of the prisoners.(672)

(M358)

A few months after Exton had taken Brembre's place as mayor (Oct., 1386),
the new mayor raised a commotion by ordering a book called "Jubilee,"
which Northampton is supposed to have compiled--or caused to be compiled
for the better government of the City, to be publicly burnt in Guildhall
yard.(673) The cordwainers of London, staunch supporters of Northampton
(the leader of the riot which led to Northampton's arrest in 1384 was a
cordwainer), complained to parliament of Exton. The book, said they, "
comprised all the good articles pertaining to the good government of the
City," which Exton and all the aldermen had sworn to maintain for ever,
and now he and his accomplices had burnt it without consent of the
commons, to the annihilation of many good liberties, franchises, and
customs of the City.(674) The book had already been subjected to revision
in June, 1384, when Brembre was mayor;(675) it was now utterly destroyed.

(M359)

In 1387 efforts were again made to secure Northampton's release, and this
time with success. On the 17th April Exton reported to the Common Council
that Lord Zouche was actually engaged in canvassing the king for the
release of Northampton and his allies. The Council thereupon unanimously
resolved to send a letter to Lord Zouche, on behalf of the entire
commonalty of the City, praying him to desist from his suit, and assuring
him of their loyalty to the king even unto death.(676