Richard Scrope, who had at first remained neutral,  certainly initiated the northern rebellion against the first Lancastrain King, Henry lV, perhaps drafting, but certainly approving, manifestoes against the King which were being circulated and posted on church doors in York, the accusations being similar to those made by Hotspur at an earlier rebellion. The Archbishop  and the Earl Marshal  gathered an army outside York with the intention of going north to meet up with the Earl of Northumberland. Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland (who had remained loyal to the King, perhaps because the rival house of Percy of Northumberland were constantly disloyal), with Prince John, Henry's son,  met up with the rebels at Shipton Moor, six miles outside the city. Although promising to parley with the Archbishop and persuading him to disband his army, he arrested the Archbishop and the Earl Marshal as  traitors and they were taken to Henry at York. Despite pleading from the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had hastened to York,  both the Archbishop and Earl Marshal were beheaded, after a quick trial, outside the city. Miracles were soon reported at Scrope's  tomb. For this act Henry received absolution from the Pope. The King had generally been lenient towards those who took part in the many rebellions against him, executing only the principal leaders,  but with the Archbishop it was different. When Henry became seriously ill shortly after the execution, he may well have started to agree with those who felt that this was God's punishment for the execution of an Archbishop.