) It also resolved to
send a deputation on horseback to the king, who was at "Esthamstede," to
ask his favour for the City, and to beg of him not to annul the charters
which he had already given to the citizens, more especially as touching
the release of the prisoners in question.

(M360)

On the 4th May the Recorder, William Cheyne, reported to the Common
Council assembled in the upper chamber of the Guildhall the result of the
interview with the king. The deputation had been received most graciously,
and the mayor had been particularly successful in his speech, setting
forth the dangers that would inevitably ensue, both to the king and to the
city, if pardon were granted to Northampton and his friends. The king had
replied that he would take good precautions for himself before he granted
them their liberty;(677) and with this answer the citizens had to be
content. The answer was an evasive one, if it be true, as one authority
states, that on the 27th April--the day on which the mayor had informed the
citizens of the intervention of Lord Zouche--Northampton had received his
pardon and been restored to his property.(678) His friends remained still
unsatisfied, and plagued the king for more favourable terms to such a
degree that Richard ordered (7 Oct.) proclamation to be made in the city
against any further entreaties being made to him on the subject.(679)

(M361)

Two days before the order for this proclamation, the king was informed by
letter of the nature of a fresh oath of allegiance(680) that had been
taken by the mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of the city. He was
furthermore exhorted to give credence to what Nicholas Brembre might
inform him as to the state and government of the city, since there was no
one better informed than Brembre on the subject.

(M362)

To this the king sent a gracious reply.(681) He had learnt with much
pleasure from Nicholas Brembre of the allegiance of the citizens, which he
trusted would continue, as he would soon have good reason for paying a
visit to the city in person. He had heard that the new sheriffs were good
and trusty men, and he expressed a hope that at the approaching election
of a mayor they would choose one of whom he could approve, otherwise he
would decline to receive the mayor-elect at his presentation. He not only
forbade any further entreaties to be made to him touching Northampton,
More and Northbury, but commissioned enquiry to be made as to their
property in