In or before 1369 Nicholas Brembre and Idonia Stodey were married.
Patent Rolls. 15th June 1381. Commission of oyer and terminer to William Walleworth, mayor of London, Robert Bealknapp, Robert Knolles, Nicholas Brembre, John Philipot, Robert Launde, and William Cheyne, on information that great crowds of labourers and others have collected together, especially in the counties of Essex, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Middlesex, compelled their betters to go with them, killed many of the king's lieges, and burned many houses, entered the city of London, and burned the house of the king's uncle John, duke of Lancaster [aged 41], called the 'Sauveye [Map],' and the priory in Clerkenwelle of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England, and killed Simon, archbishop of Canterbury [deceased] and chancellor, and Robert de Hales [deceased], prior of the said Hospital. By К. June 15. London.
Patent Rolls. 15th July 1381. Appointment of William Walleworth, mayor, Robert Knolles, John London. Philippot, Nicholas Brembre, and Robert Launde to take order for the safety of the city and suburbs of London. By K.
Patent Rolls. 30th October 1381. Protection with clause volumus, for one year, for Nicholas de Brembre of London, knight, his men and possessions; he is not to be oppressed by the taking of entertainment (herbergugii) in his manors in Middlesex against his will, except for the king himself and his household, when he comes in person.
Patent Rolls. 1st March 1382. Coinmission to Robert Tresilian, Robert Bealknap, William Skipwyth, Nicholas Brembre, William Gunthorp, Adapı de Bury and William Spaigné to examine the record and process and correct any error therein, or in the judgment rendered, in the suit before the mayor of Cales between William de Montagu [aged 53], Earl of Salisbury, proctor and attorney of John Buterleigh and Alesia his wife, executrix of the will of William Teynturer the younger, late citizen of Salisbury, William Warmwell and William Loerde, her co-executors, and one William Gilbert called Salesbury,' touching a debt of 3291. which the earl demanded from the said Gilbert, and to do justice therein according to the law and custom obtaining in Cales.
Patent Rolls. 20th March 1382. Commission to John de Cobleham, Robert de Asshton, constable of Dover castle and warden of the Cinque Ports, Robert Bealknap, John Philipot, Nicholas Brembre, John Newenton, John Horne son of Nicholas Horue, William Rykhull, Thomas Shardelowe, William Symme and Adam Elys to enquire who are responsible for the repair of the bridge of Rochester [Map] over the Medeweye, which is in such ruin as to be impassable, and to compel them to repair it.
Patent Rolls. 5th September 1382. Grant, to Sir Nicholas Brembre, merchant of the city of London, in satisfaction of 2,000 marks lent by him to the king to discharge a debt to Sir Bertrucat de Lebret, of half a mark from the subsidy of each sack of wool and woul-feils passing out of the ports of London and Boston, with the custody of one part ( foille) of the coket seal in the latter port, until the loan be fully paid. French. By K. and C. Mandate in pursuance to the controller and collectors of customs in the port of Boston. The like to the controller and collectors in the port of London.
Patent Rolls. 21st December 1382. Commission to Nicholus, Abbot of Westminster, William Walleworth, Nicholas Brembre, John Philipot, Adam Fraunceys, William Cheyne, Henry Frowyk, Thomas Charleton, Nicholas Exton, John Durham, Godfrey atte Pyrye, John Shordissh, John Samford, and William Barnevyll, reciting the treasonable insurrection of divers evil-doers in congregations and conventicles, and their perpetration of treasons, homicides, arsons, &c., and appointing the aforesaid commissioners, with the advice of the nobles and magnates of the late Parliament, for the establishment of quiet, to keep the peace in the county of Middlesex, empowering them to arrest, imprison and punish such rebels, and any who incite to rebellion, to suppress their meetings, arrest their goods, or take security as they think fit. If the meetings are suspicious or in excessive number they are to take the posse comitatus, both knights and esquires, lead them against the rebels, seize any found committing the offences aforesaid and do justice upon them without delay. They are also appointed commissioners of oyer and terminer in respect of the premises, with power to arrest, imprison, and punish any who refuse to assist them. By K. and C.
Westminster Chronicle. In this year there was a certain mayor in the city of London, named John Northampton. In his office he conducted himself sternly for almost two years. For he afflicted the fishmongers in the city of London harshly and bitterly, and deservedly, as some judged, because they always tirelessly sold every kind of fish at a higher price than the necessity of the time demanded. Because of these things, indeed also because of the other unjust customs which they constantly observed in the sale of fish, the aforesaid mayor destroyed their court. He forbade them to sell fresh fish unless they were willing to cross to the sea, bring back fish from there, and sell it at the same market price at which strangers wished to sell. At this the community of the city applauded in many ways. Seeing that this greatly pleased the aforesaid community, the mayor applied still greater diligence, namely so that the aforesaid community might thereafter buy their victuals at a better market price than they had done before. He arranged for strangers to come with fish, and allowed them to stand in the streets and freely sell fish to whomever they wished. At first this ordinance pleased everyone in the aforesaid city. But when he wished also to bring the other crafts of the same city to justice for their transgressions, to change their evil customs for the better, and to correct errors, he attempted to amend certain things which, because of the malice of the opposing party, he could not bring to an effective conclusion as he wished. For this reason a serious matter of dissension arose between the mayor himself and certain crafts of the aforesaid city, and it grew so much that many of those who at first had strongly held with him, casting far away the bond of friendship, turned aside from him and refused any longer to obey his command. At last, when the day came on which they were to proceed to the election of a new mayor, some cried out "Northampton", desiring to have him as their mayor as before. Others, thinking the contrary, rejected him and earnestly sought Sir Nicholas Brembre as their mayor. And so, after disputing with one another for some time, at last Sir Nicholas Brembre, with the king’s favour, was chosen as mayor of London, although he did not have the votes of all. Standing very manfully with his own craft, the fishmongers, he allowed the fishmongers to sell every kind of fish as usual, as they had done before. He also permitted strangers to sell fish at their stalls, but wholly forbade them to cut up the fish.
Hoc anno erat quidam major in civitate Londoniæ Johannes Northampton nomine. Hic in officio suo per duos ferme annos rigide se habuit. Nam piscarios in civitate Londoniæe dure et acerbe afilixit, et digne ut aliqui judicabant, quia omnis generis pisces carius quam necessitas pro tempore exposcebat semper indefesse vendebant. Unde propter ista immo et propter alias iniquas consuetudines quas jugiter in venditione piscium observabant major prædictus curiam eorum destruxit, recentes pisces eis vendere interdixit, nisi ad mare vellent transire et inde pisces afferre ac eo foro vendere quo extranei vendere voluerunt. Ad hæc enim communitas civitatis multipliciter applaudebat, videns namque major prædictus hoc communitati valde placere apposuit uberiorem diligentiam adhibere, scilicet ut communitas prædicta deinceps meliori foro eorum victualium emerent quam antea fecerunt, ordinavit extraneos venire cum piscibus et eos in -plateis stare ac cuicunque voluerint pisces vendere libere permisit. Placuit enim primo ista ordinatio universis civitatis prædictæ, sed cum vellet alias artes ejusdem civitatis super corum transgressionibus etiam justificare eorumque pravas consuetudines in melius transmutare et errata corrigere aliquo temptavit emendare quæ ad finem effectualem perducere propter malitiam partis adversæ prout voluit non valebat. Quare inter ipsum majorem et quasdam artes civitatis prædictæ gravis dissensionis materia est suborta et percrebuit in tantum quod multi ex eis qui primo fortiter tenuerunt cum eo, amicitiæ vineulo procul abjecto, divertentes ab eo noluerunt ejus imperio ulterius obedire, Tandem adveniente die quo ad novi majoris electionem procederent aliqui clamabant Northampton, ipsum affectantes ut ante in eorum majorem habere, alii vero contrarium sentientes ipsum respuerunt et dominum Nicholam Brembre in eorum majorem attentius petierunt. Et sic aliquamdiu invicem disceptantes demum dominum N. Brembre rege favente in majorem Londoniæ licet non habuit vota singulorum erat tamen assumptus. Qui cum arte sua piscaria tam viriliter stetit quod piscarii sicut ante omnis generis pisces more solito vendiderunt, extraneos etiam in eorum stationibus pisces vendere permisit sed eis pisces scindere penitus interdixit.
Westminster Chronicle. Moreover, on the eleventh day of February, a certain shoemaker, stirred by a diabolical spirit, as some would have it, ran through the streets of the city, inciting the people to rise against the mayor. He asserted that the mayor [Nicholas Brembre] wished to destroy in pieces all those adhering to John Northampton, thereby hinting that they should suddenly and unexpectedly kill the mayor. But God, just and merciful, did not will that so great a sedition should arise in so populous a city, so that, under the pretext of one person, one man might perhaps kill another. Rather, for the better outcome, he disposed that one man should sooner be moved than that the innocent blood of so many should be shed. For this reason the aforesaid shoemaker was captured and, before all the more powerful men of the city, convicted of falsehood, and was lawfully condemned to death. By order of the civic council, his head was fixed above Newgate. Nevertheless, concerning the aforesaid shoemaker, some said that he had been of good life, as one who devoted himself much to fasts and prayers, and who devoutly and often visited pious and sacred places. Nor was it his intention that his words should move anyone to offend the mayor of so great a city. Therefore they concluded that he had been wrongly put to death, and it is likely that his death would in future seek out grievous vengeance. Immediately the aforesaid mayor, having taken sound counsel, pacified with all diligence those crafts of the city which were at odds with one another, so far as he could.
Præterea xi die Februarii quidam sutor spiritu diabolico agitatus, ut volunt quidam, discurrebat per plateas civitatis commovens populum assurgere in majorem, asserens majorem velle omnes adhærentes Johanni Northampton in frusta delere. Innuens per hoc ut illi subito et inopinate majorem extinguerent. Sed deus justus et misericors noluit quod tanta seditio in tam populosa civitate foret exorta, ut prætextu unius personæ unus forsan extingueret alium. Immo pro meliori disposuit ut unus citius moveretur quam tantorum sanguis innoxius funderetur. Propter quod sutor prædictus fuit captus et coram omnibus valentioribus de civitate de mendacio convictus morti fuit legitimæ adjudicatus. Cujus caput super portam de Neugate jubente senatu erat affixum. Veruntamen de prædicto sutore dixerunt quidam eum fuisse bonæ vitæ, utpote jejuniis et orationibus multipliciter insistentem, pia loca et sacra devote et sæpius visitantem, nec erat intentionis suæ ut verba sua quempiam moverent offendere tantæ civitatis majorem. Unde concludebant eum fore male peremptum ac mors sua verisimile est in posterum ut gravem expeteret ultionem. Confestim major prædictus sumpto sano. consilio artes civitatis adinvicem discordantes quas potuit cum omni diligentia pacificavit.
Patent Rolls. 11th March 1384. Commission to Nicholas Brembre, mayor of London, to arrest and bring Westninster to Newgate gaol [Map] all felons and evildoers notoriously suspected of coming nightly out of places ecclesiastically privileged, assembling in the city and suburbs to commit divers felonies, robberies, thefts, murders, &c. and after committing them, retiring by night to the said places for sanctuary, and also all such as are indicted therefor. By С.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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Patent Rolls. 28th June 1384. Commission de walliis, fossatis, etc. to the Abbot of Stratford, Nicholas Brembre, mayor of London, Robert Bealknap, Nicholas Carreu, William Rykehull, Richard Ryal and Roger Germeyn, upon the bank (costeram) of the Thames from Stratford atte Bowe to Berkyng, co. Essex.
Patent Rolls. 6th July 1384. Commission to Robert Tresilian, Nicholas Brembre, mayor, Simon Westminster. Wynchecombe and John More, sheriffs, of London, and John Charney to enquire touching felonies and treasons in the county of Middlesex. By C.
Westminster Chronicle. The Scots, however, after the truces made between us and them had expired, caring little or nothing for the truce which had been confirmed between us and the French, together with their adherents, invaded the region of Northumberland and made it almost destroyed and desolate by plundering and burnings. But since, on the twelfth day of October, the elders and more powerful men of the city of London were accustomed to proceed to the election of the new mayor, Sir Nicholas Brembre, who had been mayor in the preceding year, wished to take precautions lest any discord or disturbance should be stirred up in an election of this kind. In chambers at the Guildhall he secretly hid armed men, on this condition, that if any dissension or discord should happen to arise in that election, they should immediately come out to restrain the rebels and the disorderly, so that at least through fear of the penalty of imprisonment they might wholly abstain from tumult and unruly talk, and return entirely to concord and unity. What more need be said? The aforesaid men of standing assembled together at the Guildhall for the election of a new mayor. One party of the city cried out strongly, "Twyford, Twyford", desiring to have him as their mayor. The other party, however, thought the contrary, and by shouting also prevailed: "Brembre, Brembre." And so, when dissension had arisen among them, immediately at the nod of Sir Nicholas Brembre the said armed men appeared before those who were present in the assembly, in order to quiet the seditious. When they saw them, those who had been shouting "Twyford" fled. Then, when the storm had been calmed, the more powerful men of the city who remained unanimously chose the aforesaid Sir Nicholas Brembre once again as their mayor. When this had been done, Nicholas Brembre, with the aforesaid band of armed men, went into the street called Cheapside to inquire and investigate whether any disturbers of the peace had gathered there. Afterwards he went into other streets for the same reason, so that, if he found any such seditious men, he might keep them for a time in chains at Newgate, as an example to others. In this way the aforesaid election was held. Yet, although some opposed it as far as they dared, nevertheless the mayor remained in office throughout the following year, especially with the king’s approval.
Scoti vero, treugis elapsis inter nos et illos initis, parum vel modicum curantes de treuga quæ inter nos et Francigenos cum eorum adhærentibus extitit firmata plagam Northumbranam invaserunt et pœne eam destructam et desolatam rapinis et incendiis reddiderunt. Verum tamen quia duodecimo die Octobris seniores et valentiores civitatis Londoniæ ad novi majoris electionem solebant procedere dominus Nicholas Brembre, qui fuit major anno transacto, voluit præcavere ne in hujusmodi electione foret aliqua discordia sive perturbatio suscitata, in cameris apud Gyldehall clam abscondit viros armatos sub ista conditione quod si aliqua dissensio sive discordia fieri contigerit in ista electione statim exirent ad compescendum rebelles et discordes, ut saltem metu pœnæ incarcerationis se a tumultu et verborum loquacitate inordinata penitus abstinerent et ad concordiam ac unitatem prorsus redirent. Quid plura? Convenerunt prædicti valentes in unum pro electione novi majoris facienda apud Gylde Halle, una pars civitatis fortiter acclamabat, "Tvyford, Tvyford:" affectans illum in eorum majorem habere. Altera vero pars e contrario sentiebat, quæ etiam clamando prævaluit "Brembre, Brembre:" sicque facta inter eos dissensione protinus ad nutum domini N. Brembre comparuerunt dicti armati coram illis qui aderant in concione ut seditiosos sedarent, quibus visis fugerunt illi qui clamabant "Tvyford." Porro sedata tempestate valentiores civitatis qui remanserant prædictum dominum N. Brembre iterato in eorum majorem concorditer assumpserunt. Quo facto N. Brembre cum prædicto cuneo armatorum perrexit in vicum qui vocatur Chepe ad inquirendum et investigandum si qui pacis perturbatores forent inibi congregati, postea in alios vicos ea de causa transivit ut si quos tales seditiosos inveniret eos in exemplum aliorum apud Neugate ad tempus in vinculis custodiret. Isto modo fuit prædicta electio celebrata. Tamen licet aliqui illam prout audebant impugnaverint nihilominus per totum annum deinceps stetit major rege præcipue annuente.
Patent Rolls. 2nd January 1385. Grant to Thomas Cotion of the deanery of Fordham, in the diocese of Windsor. Norwich, void by the resignation of William de Bakton and in the king's gift by reason of the temporalities of that see being in his hands. By signet letter. Mandate in pursuance to H. Bishop of Norwich. Grant to Agnes Hale, to whom John Norhampton, late citizen of London, was indebted in the sum of 711. 10s., as found by inquisition taken before Nicholas Brembre, mayor of London, and the king's escheator therein, and who, unless she is paid, is utterly undone, that she may receive as full payment thereof from certain persons who were indebted to the said John, and who are now, by reason of the judgment against him, the king's debtors, the following sums, viz. from Herman, Abbot of Stratford, 201. 58. from John Preston, prior of Prestelsham, 91. 58. and from Geoffrey Greg, taverner, 401. By signet letter.
Patent Rolls. 12th February 1385. Commission to W. Bishop of Winchester [aged 65], Thomas, Bishop of Exeter, Richard, Earl of Arundel [aged 39], Robert, Earl of Oxford [aged 23], Thomas, Earl of Nottingham [aged 16], Hugh de Segrave [aged 89], treasurer of England, Simon de Burley [aged 45], under-chamberlain, Nicholas Brembre, mayor of London, John Clanvowe [aged 44] and Robert Plesyngton, knights, Master Walter Skirlawe, keeper of the privy seal, John Waltham, keeper of the rolls of Chancery, John Appelby, dean of St. Paul's, London, Richard Rounhale and Thomas Bacton, clerks,
Westminster Chronicle. Also, on the thirteenth day of October, the Londoners, as it is their custom on that day to elect the mayor, again elected Sir Nicholas Brembre as their mayor, with sufficient agreement and with the king’s approval. He at once, by the counsel of the elders of the aforesaid city, ordained that no one should presume to be present at the election of the new mayor except the elders and the good and substantial men of the community of the aforesaid city. Also, that no one should openly or secretly bring insult or slander against the mayor, an elder, or any good and substantial man of the community of the aforesaid city, under penalty of loss of life and confiscation of all his goods. Also, that no one should dare, secretly or openly, to move the lords shortly to be assembled in Parliament by new reports concerning the government of the said city in any way. If anyone should be found guilty in this matter, he would undergo such punishment that it would strike terror into others against committing similar acts.
Item xiii die Octobris Londonienses, ut moris est eo die majorem eligere, iterato dominum Nicholam Brembre in eorum majorem satis concorditer elegerunt rege annuente, qui confestim de consilio seniorum civitatis prædictæ statuit ut nullus præsumeret interesse electioni novi majoris nisi seniores et boni ac valentes de communitate civitatis præfatæ, Item quod nullus inferat convicium seu obloquium palam vel occulte majori seniori aut alicui bono et valenti de communitate civitatis prædictæ sub pœna privationis suæ vitæ et confiscatione omnium bonorum suorum. Item quod nullus audeat clam vel aperte dominos in Parliamento proxime congregandos novis relationibus super gubernatione dictæ civitatis aliquatenus movere, quod si quis in hoc inventus sit culpabilis talem poœnam subiret quod ceteris ad committenda similia terrorem incuteret.
After 14th November 1387 Nicholas Brembre was imprisoned at Gloucester [Map].
Westminster Chronicle. On the first day of January [1388], after council had been held at Westminster, they caused several men to be arrested, namely Sir Thomas Trivet [aged 57], Sir Simon Burley [aged 48], Lord John Beauchamp [aged 69], Sir Nicholas Dagworth, Sir William Elmham [aged 52], Sir James Berners, Sir John Salisbury, and Sir Nicholas Brembre, knights. Also Sir Richard Medford, Sir Richard Clifford, and Sir John Lincoln, clerks. All these, for the sake of custody, were sent by the aforesaid lords to various strongholds until the next Parliament. Also, these lords compelled several others to abjure the court, especially those named below: the bishop of Durham, the bishop of Chichester, Sir Baldwin Bereford, Sir Richard Abberbury, Sir John Worth, the son of Lord Clifford, Sir John Lovell, Sir Zouche, Sir Beaumont, Sir Burnell, Sir Aubrey de Vere [aged 50], Lord Thomas Camoys [aged 37], and Sir Thomas Blount [aged 36]. All these were sworn not to enter the king’s court at all. At that time they were called knights and famous men, distinguished by many virtues. Three ladies also abjured the lord king’s court at that time, namely Lady Poynings [aged 26]1, Lady Mohun [aged 69]2, and Lady Moleyns [aged 52]3. John Blake, however, remained in the custody of the lords.
Primo namque die Januarii celebrato apud Westmonasterium consilio plures arestari fecerunt, videlicet dominum Thomam Tryvet, dominum Simonem Burle, dominum Johannem Beauchamp, dominum Nicholaum Daggeworthe, dominum Willelmum Elmham, dominum Jacobum Berneres, dominum Johannem Salisbury et dominum Nicholaum Brembre milites. Item dominum Ricardum Medford, dominum Ricardum Clifford et dominum Johannem Lincoln clericos, qui omnes causa custodiæ ad diversa fortalitia erant per dominos prædietos transmissi usque ad proximum parliamentum. Item isti domini cogerunt curiam abjurare inter alios specialiter infrascriptos. Episcopum Dunelmensem, episcopum Cicestrensem, dominum Paldewinn de Bereford, dominum Ricarduam de Abberisbury, dominum Johannem Worthe, fillum domini de Clyfford, dominum Johannem Lovell, dominum de la Souche, dominum de Beaumond, dominum de Burnell, dominum Aubrey de Veer, dominum Thomam Caymos, dominum Thomam Blount; omnes isti fuerunt jurati ne omnino in curiam regis intrarent, qui illo in tempore erant milites nominati et viri famosi multisque virtutibus insigniti. Abjurarunt etiam curiam domini regis tunc temporis tres dominæ scilicet domina de Ponyngg, domina de Mohon, et domina de Molyns. Johannes vero Blake remansit in custodia dominorum.
Note 1. Richard Poynings, 3rd Baron, died in 1387. His son Robert Poynings 4th Baron Poynings [aged 5] succeeded at the age of five. He didn't marry until 1397 so this Lady Poynings is probably Richard's widow Isabella Grey, 1362-1394, daughter of Robert Grey [aged 67], Baron Fitzpayne.
Note 2. Joan Burghesh, 1319-1404, daughter of Bartholemew 'the Elder', 1st Baron Burghesh, widow of John Mohun, 2nd Baron Mohun of Dunster, who died in 1375.
Note 3. Margery Bacon, 1336-1399, daughter Edmund Bacon, widow of William de Moleyns.
On 28th January 1388 Nicholas Brembre was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].
On 3rd February 1388 the Merciless Parliament commenced. It ended on 4th June 1388. Its primary function was to prosecute members of the Court of King Richard II of England [aged 21]. The term "Merciless" is contemporary having been coined by the chronicler Henry Knighton.
Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 58] was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered in his absence. He had escaped to France. Earl Suffolk and Baron Pole forfeit.
Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 47] was found guilty of treason and it was determined to imprison him for life in Rochester Castle, Kent [Map]. He fled to Louvain [Map] where he became a parish priest for the remainder of his life.
On 19th February 1388 Robert Tresilian was hanged naked and his throat cut. See Chronicle of Adam of Usk.
On 25th March 1388 Nicholas Brembre was hanged. He was buried at Christ Church, Greyfriars [Map].
On 5th May 1388 Simon Burley [aged 48] was executed despite the protestations of his friend Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York [aged 46]. See Chronicle of Adam of Usk.
On 12th May 1388 John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp [aged 69] was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. He was buried at Worcester Cathedral [Map]. Baron Beauchamp of Kidderminster forfeit.
Robert de Vere 1st Duke Ireland [aged 26] was attainted.
Westminster Chronicle. And on the Thursday [20th February 1388] then next following, the king came into full parliament and commanded all the lords of parliament to go to judgement upon Nicholas Brembre. And then the king went out of parliament, and then Brembre came, and to him were rehearsed several matters of treason of which he had been appealed by the said lords and impeached by all the commons of the realm. And whereas he had first answered, not guilty of anything, he was found guilty by all the peers of the realm. Thus he was adjudged in the same manner as Tresilian etc., and on that same day was drawn and hanged etc.
Et le Joefdy lors proschein ensuant le roy vient en plein parlement et comanda a toutz seignurs de parlement qils aleront a juggement de Nichol Brembre. Et puis le roy se issa de parlement et donges vient Brembre et a luy furent reherces plusours materes de tresons des queux il fuist appellez par les ditz seignurs et enpesche par tut le comune de roiaume et ou il respoundy a de primes de rien coupable trove fuist par toutz les piers de rolaume coupable, Issint fuist ajugge en mesme le manere come Tresilian etc. et ycell jour fuist traignez et penduz etc.
Westminster Chronicle. Thereupon they steadfastly requested that Alexander [aged 47], Archbishop of York; Robert de Vere [aged 26], Duke of Ireland; Michael de la Pole [aged 58], Earl of Suffolk; Robert Tresilian, Justice; and Nicholas Brembre, knight of London, should be brought before the whole parliament and should answer vigorously to the articles set out in their appeal. But because the time of Shrovetide was now approaching, the king prorogued the business until the Thursday [12th February] immediately after Ash Wednesday.
Unde illi constanter petierunt Alexandrum archiepiscopum Eboracensem, Robertum de Veer ducem Hiberniæ, Michaelem de la Poole comitem Suffolchiæ, Robertum Tresilyan justiciarium et Nicholaum Brembre militem Londoniensem coram toto parliamento adduci et ad articulos in eorum appellatione positos vivaciter respondere. Verum quia tempus Carniprivii jam instabat rex negotium prorogabat usque diem Jovis proximum post diem cinerum.
Westminster Chronicle. And then, on the Monday then next following [17th February 1388], the king himself came into parliament and, sitting in his seat in the presence of all the temporal lords, commanded his said steward to say in the king’s name that it was the king’s will that the aforesaid Nicholas Brembre should be arraigned that day. And then the king absented himself. And then the said Nicholas was brought into full parliament by the Earl of Kent, Constable of the Tower, and his ministers, and there he was arraigned. And all the articles of treason which were laid against him, and of which he was appealed together with the other traitors by the said five lords appellant, were read before him in full parliament. To this he asked for counsel, and was denied it by the law of parliament. Afterwards he asked for copies of the articles and a day to answer, and could not have them. Thereupon he was immediately compelled to answer to each article by itself, guilty or not guilty, and the said Nicholas answered, not guilty of anything. To this the Duke of Gloucester and his said companions answered in full parliament that the said Nicholas was and is a false traitor to the king and to the realm, and that they would prove and maintain this as parliament would award. And the said Nicholas offered to defend himself with his body, and was denied this by parliament.
Et puis le Lundy lors proschein le roy mesmes soy venoit en parlement et seant en son see en presence de toutz seignurs temporelx comanda son dit seneschall dire en noun du roy quele … fuist la volunte du roy que Nichol Brembre suisditz faisse arryve ycell jour. Et puis le roy soy absenta. Et puis le dit Nichol fuist amesne en plein parlement parle conte de Kent conestable del tour et ces ministres et illoeges fuist arreyne et toutz les articles de treson queux luy feurent surmys, et des queux il fuist appellez ovesque les autres traytours, par les ditz cynk seignurs appellantz feurent lieux devant luy en plein parlement. À quell il demaunda counseill et fuist ouste par la ley du parlement et apres il demanda copies de les articles et jour de respounse et ne puist avoir, et sur ceo a present il fuist chace de respoundre a chescun article par soy coupable ou noun coupable, et le dit Nichol respoundy de rien coupable. A quell le due de Gloucestre et ces ditz compaignons responderont en plein parlement que le dit Nichol fuist et est faux traitour au roy et a roiaume et ceo voillent parfourner et meintener come le parlement voloit agarder. Et le dit Nichol purfra de le defendre ovesque son corps et fuist par parlement ouste.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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On 22nd November 1389 Baldwin Raddington and [his wife] Idonia Stodey were married.
Froissart Book 4 Chapter 92. 1397. News of this event was sooner known in France and Flanders than in England. The French rejoiced much at it; for it was commonly reported that there would never be any solid peace between France and England as long as the duke of Gloucester [aged 41] lived; and it was well remembered, that in the negotiations for peace he was more obstinate in his opinions than either of his brothers; and, for this reason, his death was no loss to France. In like manner, many knights and squires of the king of England's household, who were afraid of him, for his severe and rough manners, were pleased at his death. They recounted how he had driven the duke of Ireland to banishment, and had ignominiously beheaded that prudent and gallant knight sir Simon Burley, who had been so much beloved by the prince of Wales, and had done essential services to his country. The deaths of sir Robert Trevilian, sir Nicholas Bramber, sir John Standwich, and others, were not forgotten, so that the duke of Gloucester was but little lamented in England, except by those who were of his party and manner of thinking.
Patent Rolls. 26th September 1484. Grant, for the peace and tranquillity of the city, to the mayor and commonalty of London and their successors, that if the king should hereafter deal in mercy with the lives of John Norhampton, draper, late mayor of London, John More, mercer, and Richard Norbury, who with others lately made insurrection against the king's peace and Nicholas Brembre, the mayor, and the governors of the city and its government, for which they were indicted and, after acknowledging their misdeeds before the king and council in his presence and being separately arraigned before John de Monte Acuto, steward of the household and the other justices assigned to deliver the prison of the Tower of London [Map] of them, were condemned to be drawn and quartered, but execution, so far as their lives were concerned, was respited by the king's grace,-that they shall be sent to prisons in different counties 100 leagues distant from the city for ten years, and not then be released until they have found security that no evil or prejudice shall befall the city or any of the king's lieges thereby. If they should be released they are inhibited, under pain of losing their lives, from coming within 100 leagues of the city, and any one guilty of making suit or maintenance on their behalf is to be imprisoned and forfeit his goods. For the strengthening of good government in the city and for the punishinent of rioters and those who are guilty of such assemblies, congregations, covins or insurrections, this grant is to remain in force without revocation. By signet letter.