ABSTRACT
ALDERMANIC authority was restored in 1270. Within two years, it was challenged by a sudden resurgence of popular hostility. This, the last crisis of the time of troubles, centred on the personality of Walter Hervey. His appointment as bailiff in 1265 had catapulted him from obscurity to headship of the council. In 1267 he was made royal escheator in the city; his wife was a recipient of Henry's bounty. For five years he had exercised virtually dictatorial power and he was slow to adopt the modesty proper to the new situation. Fitz Thedmar is full of complaints against his wilfulness. He was, however, an alderman and an influential figure and after Adrien's term, his colleagues duly elected him mayor. Thereafter relations deteriorated rapidly. His protracted dispute with Isabella Bukerel over Stephen's tenement was the subject of un favourable comment, his attitude to the victuallers was suspect. In July 1272 a second royal commission was appointed to look into the ' arrears' of the great fine, for the first had completely failed to stem the mounting tide of popular protest. Hervey served on it and the joyful zest with which he pursued the exemption-purchasers was the last straw. In October the aldermen decided to replace him with Philip le Tailor. 1
