rdict. At last they sent for the mayor, recorder, and some of the
aldermen (_seniores_) to learn what they had to say about the accused.

(M374)

One would have thought that with Nicholas Exton, his old friend and ally,
to speak up for him, Brembre's life would now at least be saved, even if
he were not altogether acquitted. It was not so, however. The mayor and
aldermen were asked as to their _opinion_ (not as to their knowledge),
whether Brembre was cognisant of certain matters, and they gave it as
their _opinion_ that Brembre was more likely to have been cognisant of
them than not. Turning then to the Recorder, the lords asked him how stood
the law in such a case? To which he replied, that a man who knew such
things as were laid to Brembre's charge, and knowing them failed to reveal
them, deserved death. On such evidence as this, Brembre was convicted on
the 20th February, and condemned to be executed.(695) He was drawn on a
hurdle through the city to Tyburn, showing himself very penitent and
earnestly desiring all persons to pray for him. At the last moment he
confessed that his conduct towards Northampton had been vile and wicked.
Whilst craving pardon of Northampton's son "he was suddenly turned off,
and the executioner cutting his throat, he died."(696)

(M375)

If we are to believe all that Walsingham records of Brembre, the character
and conduct of the city alderman and ex-mayor was bad indeed. Besides
conniving at the plot laid against Gloucester's life, which involved the
grossest breach of hospitality, he is recorded as having lain in wait with
an armed force at the Mews near Charing Cross, to intercept and massacre
the lords on their way to Westminster, to effect an arrangement with the
king, as well as having entertained the idea of cutting the throats of a
number of his fellow-citizens, and placing himself at the head of the
government of the city, the name of which he proposed changing to that of
"Little Troy."(697)

(M376)

Of Brembre's associates, Tressilian was captured during the trial, torn
from the Sanctuary at Westminster, and hanged on the 19th. Another to
share the same fate was Thomas Uske, who had been one of the chief
witnesses against Northampton. He was sentenced to death by parliament on
the 4th March, and died asseverating to the last that he had done
Northampton no injury, but that every word he had deposed against him the
year before was absolutely true.(698)

(M377)

The lord