John Northampton facts for kids
John Northampton (also known as John Comberton) was an important leader in London during the late 1300s. He served as Lord Mayor of London in 1381 and 1382. During his time, he tried to make big changes to how the city was run. These changes aimed to help ordinary people. However, powerful leaders in London did not like his ideas. They managed to remove his group from power. Some people even burned a special book that contained all the new laws he had made. This event made many people worried about too much public involvement in politics.
He had also served as Sheriff of London in 1376-77.
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Family Life
John Northampton grew up in London. His parents were Thomas and Mariota Northampton. He had two brothers, William and Robert, and two sisters, Petronilla and Agnes.
He was married twice. His first wife was named Johanna. His second wife, Petronilla, was the daughter of John Preston and Margaret Constantine. John Northampton had a son named James from one of these marriages.
Some writers of the time called him John Comberton. This name played on the word comber, which means "trouble." They used this name because they thought his policies caused trouble in London.
Early Career and Politics
John Northampton started his business career early in London. By 1361, he was already a leader in the Drapers' Guild, a group for cloth merchants. He was known for being a bit wild in his younger days. He was even told to behave and avoid fights in the streets several times between 1365 and 1371.
He began his political journey in the city council. He became an Alderman for the Cordwainer Street Ward from 1375 to 1377. In 1376, he became the Sheriff of the city. He led a group in London that supported John of Gaunt, a powerful royal prince, and John Wycliffe, a religious reformer. This group was against another party led by William Walworth and John Philipot.
After a special meeting of Parliament in 1376, Northampton and other Londoners removed some officials from their city jobs. They also changed the rules. From then on, members of the city council were chosen by their trade groups (like bakers or tailors) instead of by where they lived. In 1378, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the City.
Lord Mayor and Reforms
John Northampton served two terms as Lord Mayor, from 1381 to 1383. During this time, he introduced many changes to help the less wealthy citizens of London.
He was against the monopoly of the fish sellers. A monopoly is when one group controls all the trade in something. He made new rules to break this control. These rules allowed traders from outside London to sell fish in the markets. He also stopped people from buying all the fish just to sell it for a higher price. He later applied similar rules to trade in bread, ale, wine, and poultry.
He also worked to make more small coins, called farthings, available. He turned some money into many farthings. He ordered bakers to sell bread for a farthing. He also said that traders and priests should accept these coins or offer their services for free.
During his time as mayor, one of his servants was Thomas Usk. Later, Usk was arrested by Northampton's rival, Nicholas Brembre. To get released, Usk told the authorities about his former master.
Arrest and Pardon
In 1383, John Northampton lost the election for Lord Mayor to Nicholas Brembre. Brembre filled the Guildhall (the city's main meeting place) with armed supporters to ensure his victory.
Brembre had Northampton arrested on February 7, 1384, saying he was causing trouble. On February 11, Northampton was accused of starting an "uprising" in the city, which involved his supporters closing shops. His relative, John Constantine, was executed for his part in this.
Northampton and two friends, John More and Richard Norbury, were sentenced to death. However, King Richard II changed their sentence to 10 years in prison. Each man was sent to a different prison far from London. Northampton was held at Tintagel Castle.
In 1386, the King pardoned Northampton, but he was still not allowed to return to London. Things got better for him after a special Parliament in 1388. This Parliament led to the execution of Brembre and Usk. In December 1390, Northampton received a full pardon. By 1395, he was fully restored as a citizen of London.
Later Life and Legacy
John Northampton died in 1398. He was buried in the church of the Hospital of St Mary de Elsyngspital in Cripplegate. He had become quite wealthy, leaving behind property worth about £5,000. He used some of his wealth to help the Charterhouse monastery. He gave gifts like dates, figs, and raisins to the monks during Lent.
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