This Day in History: 1403-12-22

On 22nd December 1403, William Blyth, who claimed to have visited the ‘dead’ Richard II in Scotland (the king supposedly having died at Pontefract in February 1400) met John Staunton, servant of the Countess of Oxford, at Great Bentley and both were ordered to ride to Ipswich to make preparations for the ex-king to meet them at Northampton. Sermons were preached announcing the return of Richard at Colchester and in the Colne Valley.