Simon de Burley
The holder of that office of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle between 1384-88 was Simon de Burley, one of the most influential men in king Richard II's court. Simon de Burley was of an humble origin, but was brought up with the prince, and soon they became intimate friends, and was raised to become a tutor of of the kings son, later Richard II.
In the year 1377 king Richard confirmed a grant of £100 to be made each and every year to de Burley by the King's father along with the custody of Kerwerdyn castle, in terms referring to him as "the King's father's Knight." Simon de Burley also gained that year and the office of Master of the Falcon, and was appointed constable of Windsor Castle for life, a cruel irony given his fate at the whim of such a treacherous monarch as Richard II. The following year the king further extended a grant to Simon de Burley of the manor of Chiltenham in Gloucester and the 'fee simple' of the castle and lordship of Lanstephan.
Given that in 1388 Simon de Burley along with other favorites of the King was attainted for treason and executed, the titles for life he was granted seem like a cruel premeditated contempt.
"In 1382 Richard granted him the office of under-chamberlain of the King's household for life, and appointed him surveyor of the lands in South Wales in the King's hands during the minority of the heir of Edmond Mortimer."
"In 1384 the King granted him for life the constableship of Dover Castle and the wardenship of the Cinque Ports, and three hundred pounds yearly therefore (and for the maintenance of himself, chaplains, etc.) with provision that he exercise the office himself."
That he had been long connected with the family of Richard II is indicated by his being named by Joan, king Richard's mother as one of the executors of her will, 1385.
Simon de Burley enjoyed great popularity amongst the people of Kent, who rose in rebellion at his execution in a show of loyalty to him.
Ref: Project Gutenberg's Chaucer's Official Life, by James Root Hulbert.
| Robert Assheton |
Lord Warden
Simon de Burley |
John Lord Devereux |
