Below is a copy of the Chancery Warrant that granted a pardon to the adherents of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, a month after Boroughbridge. Nicholas Coterel appears twice, no doubt a transcription error, along with the Bradbourne brothers. My recent research has focused on some of the other characters on this list, to try and determine the manner in which they ‘adhered’ to Lancaster. The likelihood is that this was a warrant for a blanket pardon that covered a variety of ways in which those named supported the earl.
Gilbert de Kirkeby – Gilbert was transferred from Kenilworth to Pontefract prison on 27th of March 1322, 11 days after Boroughbridge, by the sheriff of Warwickshire. Gilbert was a Yorkshireman. His presence in Warwickshire suggests that he might have been captured at the Battle of Burton Bridge around 10th March and taken to nearby Kenilworth.
Adam de Preston – Adam was ousted from the keeping of the hospital of St Mary Magdalene by Hugh Despenser, the king’s favourite. In 1327 Adam petitioned for his restoration claiming that the reason for the ousting was that ‘he wore the robes of the late earl and for no other reason’. He was effectively saying that he had not taken an active part in the rebellion, a common claim, but acknowledged that he had received the earls livery and was possibly a retainer.
Adam le Clerc – A tenant of Lancaster originating from St Michael’s-on-Wyre, Lancashire. Although it is not yet known in what capacity he was an adherent, like many more rebels, years later he would serve the king at Berwick, either at the Siege of Berwick or the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, or maybe both.
As for Nicholas Coterel and the Bradbourne brothers, in the book, and subsequent research, I argue that they likely played an active part at or around Boroughbridge before deserting the campaign.
