were massacred. Pembroke appears to have taken a full part in these events. The Prince returned to England in January 1371 while Pembroke remained in France and continued to prosecute the war, now alongside Gaunt. Together they besieged Montpaon from January to February. Return to England Pembroke was recalled to London in February 1371 to attend parliament, and by now he dominated the court. Parliament sat from February to March 1371 and Pembroke was appointed a trier of petitions. It is possible his role was not purely administrative, as some contemporary chronicles portray him as the main leader of a parliamentary faction which politically attacked the King's clerical ministers. His actions have been described as radical. As a result of this assault, William of Wykeham and Thomas Brantingham, the Chancellor and Treasurer, respectively, were forced to resign, and their positions were taken by laymen. Sumption suggests the immediate cause for Pembroke's attack was his recent experiences in "frustrating and underfunded campaigns" while, at home, as the writer of a contemporary French tract colourfully put it, "the clergy reposed peacefully beneath shady canopies elegantly scoffing fat delicacies". On the other hand, Ormrod notes that the men who filled the vacant offices seem to have had no connections to Pembroke, suggesting he was unlikely to have been leading a faction. Feud with Lord Grey of Ruthin While Pembroke was on campaign, Lord Grey of Ruthin received word that the Earl had died in France. Believing this, and as Pembroke's heir, he entered Pembroke's Northamptonshire estate near the village of Yardley Hastings to hunt. When Pembroke returned to England in early 1371 and heard of this, he was enraged. He petitioned the King at Marlborough Castle that September for satisfaction, but was unable to persuade Edward to assist him. Indeed, it may be that he was refused entry to the King's chambers by the royal chamberlain, Lord Latimer. While Latimer undoubtedly had the authority to restrict access to the King, notes Ormrod, "to refuse so distinguished a supplicant as John Hastings was, however, an outrageous abuse of power and a major affront to the nobility’s trust in the politics of access". Pembroke complained to anyone who would listen. Latimer later claimed that his master had, in fact, discussed the event with Pembroke, although Latimer also felt Ruthin had acted appropriately under the circumstances and was able to offer Pembroke little comfort. Ruthin attempted