The Impoverished Knight
The strongest contender for the bankrupt knight is Sir Richard Vernon at the Lee in Wyedale, Derbyshire. He died in 1376 one year before King Edward who went hunting in Nottingham and Lancashire in 1363 with, among others, Sir Richard Vernon the impoverished knight. History tells us Sir Richard had a license from the king to go overseas one year later in 1364. John O’Gaunt, King Edward’s son, the Duke of Lancaster owned much of the land on which they hunted. This explains the Duke’s men in the jousting field who Sir Richard’s son killed, resulting in his imprisonment. When the impoverished knight met Robin at the Saylis, he was on his way to the seaport of York intending to go “across the salty sea” after first attending to his business with the Abbot of York from whom he had borrowed £400 for 12 months to release his son from jail. The joust would have taken place in 1363 while they were at Bestwood and now twelve months later in 1364 Richard Vernon needed to repay the loan. Robin, believing in the knight’s honesty loaned him the money, gave him fine clothing, a grey pack-horse, a Palfrey, a saddle, a pair of boots, and a pair of gilded spurs worn by knights and for good measure Robin told Little John to act as his squire on the journey to York.
Richard arrived at Saint Mary’s Abbey on time, dashing the hopes of the abbot and High Justice of England, who had hoped to gain his property by default. As a debtor himself, Sir Richard wanted to know what help the monks gave to those in his position, so pretending bankruptcy he soon realised how unhelpful, unbending, and merciless they were. Horrified, he told the greedy, unscrupulous clerics they were a bunch of crooks who prayed on the poor. He threw the money borrowed from Robin on the table, paid his debt, secured his property and quit the building, forever grateful to Robin for coming to his aid. Mounting his horse, he rode home to tell his wife the good news.
Twelve months later, while Robin and his men were waiting for the impoverished knight at the Saylis, two black monks from St. Mary’s Abbey passed by, one of whom was the High Cellarer. They claimed to have only 20 marks and denied all knowledge of any £400. Little John searched their bags and found £800. Because of the impossibility of robbing those with no money, Robin held onto it, saying, “The Virgin Mary sent the gold to help the poor.” After the monks finished their meal, they galloped away wishing they had dined at Blyth or Doncaster. Robin told them to say to the abbot, “Robin sends his greetings, and requests the company of a monk every day.”
Meantime the knight gathered enough money to repay the £400 borrowed from Robin, perhaps with bounty taken at the Battle of Auray in 1364, plus 20 marks for his courtesy. Robin refused the money and said, “nay, for Lady by her High Cellarer has sent me my pay.” After Robin finished telling his tale the knight laughed and exclaimed, “By my pledge, your money is ready here!” “Yes,” said Robin, “the monks paid your loan with interest, I have the £400 I loaned you plus an extra £400 and for that, I have cancelled your debt. The £400 you earned during the last year replaces the £400 you lost to your friends, your son is out of jail and you have £400 you did not have 12 months ago. As a result, we are both £400 richer than we were this time last year.”
* A similar fatality is recorded: “In 1252, there was a notable Tournament at Walden, wherein Roger de Leiburne encountered with Ernauld de Mounteney, a valiant Knight, and unhappily ran his lance into his throat under his helmet, it wanting a collar; where upon Mounteney fell from his horse and died instantly, insomuch, as it was then supposed by some, that in regard his lance had not a socket on the point, he did it purposely in revenge of a broken leg he had received from Mounteney, tilting with him in a former tournament.”) The Mounteney family were in Loxley and the Prioress who bled Robin to death was a Mounteney.
* These would have been John O' Gaunt’s men, he was the Duke of Lancaster at that time and this would account for the high bail.
* The abbots at St. Mary's were known for their excessive personal fortunes and were "frequently in a position to furnish loans to the sovereign." Licences transferring ownership of property in perpetuity granted to the abbey for the acquisition of various properties were numerous. (British history online.)
The Peasants Revolt Copyright © 2014, Graham Kirkby.
Richard arrived at Saint Mary’s Abbey on time, dashing the hopes of the abbot and High Justice of England, who had hoped to gain his property by default. As a debtor himself, Sir Richard wanted to know what help the monks gave to those in his position, so pretending bankruptcy he soon realised how unhelpful, unbending, and merciless they were. Horrified, he told the greedy, unscrupulous clerics they were a bunch of crooks who prayed on the poor. He threw the money borrowed from Robin on the table, paid his debt, secured his property and quit the building, forever grateful to Robin for coming to his aid. Mounting his horse, he rode home to tell his wife the good news.
Twelve months later, while Robin and his men were waiting for the impoverished knight at the Saylis, two black monks from St. Mary’s Abbey passed by, one of whom was the High Cellarer. They claimed to have only 20 marks and denied all knowledge of any £400. Little John searched their bags and found £800. Because of the impossibility of robbing those with no money, Robin held onto it, saying, “The Virgin Mary sent the gold to help the poor.” After the monks finished their meal, they galloped away wishing they had dined at Blyth or Doncaster. Robin told them to say to the abbot, “Robin sends his greetings, and requests the company of a monk every day.”
Meantime the knight gathered enough money to repay the £400 borrowed from Robin, perhaps with bounty taken at the Battle of Auray in 1364, plus 20 marks for his courtesy. Robin refused the money and said, “nay, for Lady by her High Cellarer has sent me my pay.” After Robin finished telling his tale the knight laughed and exclaimed, “By my pledge, your money is ready here!” “Yes,” said Robin, “the monks paid your loan with interest, I have the £400 I loaned you plus an extra £400 and for that, I have cancelled your debt. The £400 you earned during the last year replaces the £400 you lost to your friends, your son is out of jail and you have £400 you did not have 12 months ago. As a result, we are both £400 richer than we were this time last year.”
* A similar fatality is recorded: “In 1252, there was a notable Tournament at Walden, wherein Roger de Leiburne encountered with Ernauld de Mounteney, a valiant Knight, and unhappily ran his lance into his throat under his helmet, it wanting a collar; where upon Mounteney fell from his horse and died instantly, insomuch, as it was then supposed by some, that in regard his lance had not a socket on the point, he did it purposely in revenge of a broken leg he had received from Mounteney, tilting with him in a former tournament.”) The Mounteney family were in Loxley and the Prioress who bled Robin to death was a Mounteney.
* These would have been John O' Gaunt’s men, he was the Duke of Lancaster at that time and this would account for the high bail.
* The abbots at St. Mary's were known for their excessive personal fortunes and were "frequently in a position to furnish loans to the sovereign." Licences transferring ownership of property in perpetuity granted to the abbey for the acquisition of various properties were numerous. (British history online.)
The Peasants Revolt Copyright © 2014, Graham Kirkby.