The Merciless Parliament, Part 2

After the Merciless Parliament in 1388 had eliminated the five specific advisors to Richard II that they considered the most corrupt, the Lords Appellant decided to sweep through the rest of the administration.First came the judges that had approved all of Richard's actions. There were seven of them, and they were allowed to have trials before the House of Lords, in which they pleaded for leniency. Leniency was not to be offered, however, and they were all condemned and executed.The Parliament wanted to eliminate anyone who would be considered a "bad advisor" to the king, and this meant almost anyone with whom Richard had contact. Chamber knights and servants did not escape.Sir Simon Burley (c.1336 – 5 May 1388) had been the tutor of Richard, and a "friend of the family" for longer. He had grown up alongside Richard's father, Edward the Black Prince. Now he was Richard's vice-Chamberlain, and therefore considered too influential on the king.An honorable man whom many had known their…