William le Scrope, a former soldier-adventurer who had served with John of Gaunt in Lithuania, Italy and France; been made seneschal of Aquitaine in 1383, had then joined the household of Richard II, as chamberlain, in 1394 becoming a Knight of the Garter.

Closely involved in Richard's marriage to Isabella of Valois, he had been Isabelle's guardian at Wallingford Castle, of which he was castellan, when the King went to Ireland.

Made Earl of Wiltshire in 1397, he had became Lord High Treasurer in 1398 and has become effective head of the government in Richard's absence.

Having benefitted from the confiscated estates of Thomas de Beauchamp, 12th Earl of Warwick, kept for a time under his hand in the Isle of Man, and of John of Gaunt, he has also accumulated control of a number of strategic castles.

When it becomes clear that the country favors Bolingbroke, Wiltshire, together with a John Bussy and Henry Grene, decides to take shelter in the city of Bristol until such time as Richard returns from Ireland.

Their retainers soon desert them and when Bolingbroke appears before the city walls the local population seizes them and hands over all three.

Henry subjects the three men to a form of trial, pronounces them guilty of treason and sentences them to death.

William le Scrope, together with his two acquaintances, is thus beheaded on July 29, 1399 at Bristol Castle. (An attempt will be made to reclaim the Earldom by a collateral descendant, over five hundred years later. Although he will be proven to be the senior heir male general, the claim will fail on other grounds.)