o
London. At his trial he publicly declared his belief that Richard II was
still alive; he was even fanatic enough to believe that he himself would
soon rise again from the dead.(761) He was sentenced to be hanged and
burnt on the gallows, a sentence which was carried out in St. Giles's
Fields.(762) Lollardry continued to exist, especially in London and the
towns, for some years, but it ceased to have any historical or political
significance.(763)

(M403)

Henry V was resolved to maintain not only the old religion of the days of
Edward III, but also the old foreign policy, and in 1414 he commenced
making preparations for renewing the claim of his great-grandfather to the
crown of France. In 1415 this claim was formally made, and Henry gathered
his forces together at Southampton. On the 10th March he informed the
civic authorities of his intention of crossing over to France to enforce
his claim and of his need of money. On the 14th a brilliant assembly,
comprising the king's two brothers, John, Duke of Bedford, and Humphrey,
Duke of Gloucester, Edward, Duke of York, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
the Bishop of Winchester, and others, met at the Guildhall to consider the
matter.

(M404)

A question arose as to order of precedence, and it was arranged that the
mayor, as the king's representative in the City, should occupy the centre
seat, having the Primate and the Bishop of Winchester on his right, and
the Duke of York and the king's brothers on his left.(764) This question
having been settled, the meeting, we presume, got to business; but what
took place is not recorded in the City's archives. We know, however, that
in June the king pledged his jewels to the City for a loan of 10,000
marks,(765) and that on the 1st August--just as he was preparing to set
sail--he raised a further loan of 10,000 marks on the security of the
customs.(766)

(M405)

On the 15th June the king, who was then on his way to the coast, took
solemn leave of the civic authorities, who had accompanied him to
Blackheath. He bade them go home and keep well his "chamber" during his
absence abroad, giving them his blessing and saying "Cryste save
London."(767) Arriving at Southampton, he there discovered a conspiracy to
place the young Earl of March, the legitimate heir of Edward III, on the
throne, as soon as he himself should have set sail. The traitors were
seized and executed, and the City lost no time in sending the king a
letter congratulat