Knight's Tale, A

As king, of course, Richard II was free to renege on his promises.

Not only did he drop his concessions, he ordered many of the revolting peasants to stand trial. Reports differ on the numbers, but hundreds (perhaps thousands) were tried and put to death.

There was a notable glitch in the judicial proceedings. John Tresilian, the presiding judge, instructed all jurors to convict the revolting peasants. The penalty if they voted their conscience? The JURORS would hang. Tresilian did get his comeuppance, though. Seven years later, he was ALSO hanged.

And what of the king? In 1399, Richard II was arrested and forced to abdicate. He died the following year, most likely murdered.

Applying the philosophy of the Middle Ages, one never knew where the Wheel of Fortune would spin next.

NOTE:  Most of the illuminations in this story are from The Chronicles of Jean Froissart. We gratefully acknowledge the BNF in Paris for their use.