John Northampton

John Northampton was a citizen of London his whole life, from a decent-sized family (two brothers and two sisters). He became a cloth merchant and a member of the Worshipful Company of Drapers, founded in 1361 and one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies (among the 114 that operated in London). At its founding he was named one of the "upholders," so he was probably well-known and respected at the time.

He had some trouble with the law, however. Records from 1365, 1369, and 1371 show he was warned to keep the peace and refrain from affrays in the streets. An affray was a fight that becomes so large that it frightens others. The 1371 incident was so serious that King Edward III summoned the mayor (John Bernes, himself a mercer and member of the same guild) and aldermen an d leaders of the guilds to swear to keep the peace. John Northampton and eleven others were imprisoned in the Tower of London for a time.

Despite all this, he was considered a good enough candidate for sheriff that he gained the position in 1376, along with Robert Launde (there were always two sheriffs at a time, elected each year).

He was a supporter of John of Gaunt. Gaunt was a supporter of John Wycliffe, who was known for his "radical" views about the equality of men and the need for reform of the Church to embrace a simpler lifestyle. This connection makes some wonder if Northampton's religious views aligned with Wycliffe and against the current Church hierarchy.

England at this time was experiencing widespread unrest. The common people were dealing with crippling taxation, misgovernment, and evidence of corruption in the ruling class. Then came the Good Parliament in 1376, after which Northampton was part of a cohort that ousted Richard Lyons. Tomorrow I'll explain the Good Parliament, who Richard Lyons was, and why he had to go.