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SIR JOHN MONTACUTE
Date of Birth: est. 1350
Date of Death: January 5, 1400
Crime: Treason for participating in an attempted regicide
Biography
John Montacute was the son of Sir John de Montacute and Margaret de Monthermer. John Montacute (Jr.) inherited titles from both sides of his family to become the 3rd Earl of Salisbury and 2nd Baron Montacute. He was married twice, first to Mary de Bohun and secondly to Maud Francis, who provided him with three daughters and two sons. Montacute distinguished himself in battles in France and Prussia. He was a friend and supporter of King Richard II. For the sake of limited space it will suffice to say that there was considerable intrigue between the English nobles, Richard II and Henry of Bolingbroke (King Henry IV) during the last quarter of the 14th century. This is not to say that the commoners thought highly of Richard II; in fact, under his reign in 1381 the famous Peasants Revolt occurred in large part to the increase in taxes which affected not only the peasants, but all classes including the nobles. While Richard II and Henry were cousins, their relationship was tumultuous resulting in Henry’s expulsion from England in 1398. In 1399 while Richard II was on a military campaign in Ireland Henry returned to England, warred on those who opposed him and eventually captured and imprisoned King Richard II. Henry of Bolingbroke now became King Henry IV, the usurper.
Trial and Execution
John Montacute reenters history at this point less than a year after Henry claims the throne. John along with other nobles, John Holland, Thomas Holland, Thomas le Despenser, Edward of Norwich, Ralph Lumley, Sir Thomas Blount and Sir Bernard Brocas devise a plan to kill King Henry IV and restore Richard II to the throne. This revolt is known as the “Earl’s Revolt”, “Epiphany Rising” and also as “Oxford Conspiracy.” Some of the conspirators were captured by mobs and beheaded. Others when caught were beheaded without trial and their heads stuck on poles on London Bridge. A few, including Montacute were caught, sent to London where they were tried and beheaded.
Historic Significance
During the Epiphany Rising conspiracy Richard II was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Shortly after the uprising Richard II dies of “unknown causes”. His body was displayed to assure any would be supports that he had in fact died. Henry IV spent the next decade suppressing uprisings and died at the age of forty-six. These uprising generally came from those in the northern territories Shrewsbury, Wales, and Scotland. The nobles in the regions around London preferred their heads on their shoulders rather than on poles on London Bridge. Henry IV actions reinforced the concept that beheading will keep dynastic contenders at bay. Unfortunately, what he did not live to see was the thirty-years of civil war called the War of the Roses wherein the Lancasters and Yorks continued to dispute the rightful heir to the throne.
