Lords Appellant

Lords Appellant

The "Lords Appellant" were five nobles who appealled (accused) certain favourites and/or friends (including Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford, and Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk) of King Richard II of England of treason (November 1387).

They were: Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester; Richard FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel; Thomas de beauchamp, Earl of Warwick; Henry Bolingbroke, Earl of Derby (later Henry IV); and Thomas Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham.

They opposed the King's policy of peace with France; accused the Archbishop of York, his friends and associates of treason, and had them impeached (1388) - four, including the former Chief Justice, were executed.

Richard bided his time, gradually restoring authority until able to arrest surviving Lords and accuse them of treason (1397).

Reference:

A. Tuck, "Richard II and the English Nobility" (1974).

~~~ Melisende (first pub: 30/5/2006)