THE CAREER OF SIR THOMAS TRIVET (1330-88)

the 1380s. On the 22nd February 1386 he was appointed Admiral for the West, but the rise of the Appellants shortened what would have otherwise been an illustrious career.¹⁰ He was one of the few of Richard’s friends who outwardly opposed the Appellants in 1387, but this action ultimatcly led to his arrest in 1388.

He seems to have been quite a fiery, impulsive character. For example, whilst he was still in Spain in March 1379, he had a violent quarrel with a Castilian, Pedro Manrique, and he immediately wanted to settle the dispute with a 100-a-side combat in Aragon.¹¹ Perhaps his quick temper contributed to Westminster's derogatory view of him. In fact Trivet has been considered in a less than flattering light even by modem historians. For example, Goodman refers to him as an ‘unpopular soldier'.¹² It is difficult to judge his popularity, but it is clear that he was a competent soldier who ultimately became a successful attribute to the court of Richard 2^nd. Trivet's career was studded with bouts of military achivements combined with

personal miscalculations. But above all, he maintained a loyalty towards King Richard that may have led to his downfall, had he not perished before parliament was able to punish him.

10 N. Saul, Richard 2nd ( 1997), p. 153

11 P.E. Russell, The English Intervention in Spain and Portugal in the time of Edward III and Richard II, ( 1955 ), p.277n. The dispute was called off on the 28th March because En Joan. who was called to witness it, didn't think that the reason for the quarrel warranted such a combat.

12 A. Goodman, The Loyal Conspiracy, The Lords Appellant under Richard II, (1971), p.26