their Armes at the Kings feet sue for mercy and deliver up their chiefs the principall of which Priest Straw was after drawne from his hiding holes and laid hold of by the Kings Officers What became of them we shall see below in the visitation made by the King and his Ministers through the Provinces in uproare The Commons of Kent now scatter and dissolve the heads of the Archbishop Lord Prior and the rest are taken down from the bridge and the Idols advanced there That Baal should now be taken in an old house is an errour of the Knights Baal must take his turn but he shall have a longger runne for it That the dagger should now be given in honour of Sir William Walworth as an addition to the City armes is Fabulous this dagger is the Sword of St. Paul and was borne by the City when Tyler was living The King now rides to Westminster where he gives God thankes for his deliverance and presents his offering to the Virgin Mary in her Chappell of the Piew next he visits the Princesse mother in the Tower Royall called the Queenes Wardrobe and bids her rejoyce for sayes he this day I have recovered mine heritage the Realme of England near lost the Lords returne to their owne houses The other Countries now in combustion and upon their march to London make halt they were thunder-strucken at the disaster of the Idol they hated the fortune not the wickednesse of that monster And tarry to poure out those plagues at home if they be not checked which before they intended to carry farther off The example and successe of the Idol had moved with many but his invitation and sollicitation by the Emissaries of this confederacy and spirit more The Sâ—…ctaries or ringleaders of the hurden rustick raggamuffins in the severall Provinces of the association while Tyler was thus busied in the chiefe seat of his new Dominions promote the cause and pursue the instructions of the Prince of Divells they were all to tread his steps as we shall finde in what followes I have before spoken of the Summons of the Iâ—…ol to fetch the bordering rogues into the Line of Communication who were to serve as Auxiliaries onely to strengthen Tyler rather than to inrich themselves and likely to be casheered and cast off when he had perfected his Worke amongst these take hells were the Towns-men of Saint Albane with the Abbots servants shuffled in the throng of purpose to oversee and awe the Clownes from the new fangles of our fanâ—…ticks These as is related were sworne to the Ingagement at Heibury whence they come to London whither they are no sooner got but the Towns men separate from the servants of the Monastery and in St. Mary bow Church does their profane Conventicle consult how to make advantage of the tumult And what pretences of revolt from their Lord Abbot would seem most faire and taking Here they make not the causes of their disobedience they were hatched secretly amongst themselves they deliberate how to perfect things how to come to effects The inlarging the bounds of their common free fishing hunting in certaine places when they pleased and Hand-mills that the Baily of the Liberty shall no more meddle within the Precincts of the Towne the revocation of Charters prejudiciall to the Free-borne Burgesses cancelling the Bonds of their Fore-fathers made to Abbot Richard are the Propositions first voted One who would be wiser than the rest perswades them not to attempt things rashly and giddily without authority he tells them that Wat Tyler Protectour and Captaine Generall of the Clownes was near that the Protectour was a righter of wrongs raised and inspired by providence to redeeme the faithfull Commons from the thraldome of the wicked At the suite of the godly party sayes he Tyler has accepted the Government he is to govern the two Nations The Supreame executive Power resides in him from him sayes he and from the keepers of the liberties let us seek for remedy Let us make our addresses to him let us seeke to his Highnesse for power and Commâ—…ssion This he said as Walsingham writes supposing a greater than Tyler should not be seene in the Kingdome that Tylers greatnesse for the time to come would onely be eminent That the Lawes of the Land the most ancient English Saxon Lawes would be of no force of no validity because the most of the Lawyers were already murthered and the rest in their account not long lived the Axes edge was turned towards them He concludes let us returne home and in the puissance of Wat and our selves force the Abbot to reason If he deny our requests we will awe hm with burning and demolishing the Monastery with killing the Monkes we will threaten not to leave one stone upon another Others conceive it more safe to petition the King who might be spoken with by every man and durst refuse nothing for his Letters under the Privy Seale commanding the Abbot to restore to the Towns-men the rights and Liberties which their ancestours injoyed in the time of King Henry the first as if the English Church had beene lately indowed the Monasteries founded their Royalties Liberties Priviledges granted by the Norman Princes than which nothing could be more false The most Christian Saxon Kings of blessed memory twelve of which died Martyrs of the Faith ten shine glorious Starres in the Calender of Saints were all nursing Fathers of the Church scarcely was there one in the illustrious rolle who gave not Lands and Possessions with Exemptions and Immunities to the Church who erected not Bishopricks or Monasteries into which thirty of our crowned heads Kings or Queenes entred the superstition of the ages then ought not to blemish their Piety The Mercian King Offa his Son Ecgfryd King Ethelred King Edward are the founders and donours of St. Albanes what King Henry the first did for the Towne I cannot say nor how ample its Liberties were then this is true he confirmes the grants of the Saxon Princes to the Monastery and addes the Norman seale to strengthen the Saxon Crosses this is all but truth is not necessary in such uproares the credulity of a light headed multitude is quickly abused their duty and obedience easily corrupted without it To keepe our way Both these Counsels are approved William Greyndcob an Hinde who had eaten the breade of the Monastery for the most part of his life is elected with others and sent on this errand to the King before whom he kneeles six times out of zeale to prevaile This Loâ—… too was made principall Prolocutor sayes our Monk or Speaker to the Idol before whose sordid Excellency and his unclean Councell he complaines of the grievous tyranny of the Abbot and Prior some few Monks are thrust in to make up the number of the oppressures of the Commons of withholding the wages of poor Labourers the design was to rowzâ—… the Wolfe Tyler meant not to leave
content them they aske for an antient Charter concerning the Towne Liberties the capitall Letters of which say they were one of Gold another of Azure * The Abbot prayes them to be satisfied for the time he protests they have all he has to give them he knew of no more yet he would make a search and if any such deed could be found it should faithfully be delivered to them This too was the answer of the Covent it was agreed that the Abbot should after dinner disclaime under his hand and seale in all things prejudiciall to their Liberty In memory of an old suit betwixt Abbot Richard the first and the Townsmen in the reignes of William the second and Henry the first wherein the Townsmen were overthrown were laid Milstones before the doore of the * Parler These Iohn the Barber with others tooke away as a token of victory over the Law these they break into small pieces and distribute amongst the worthies as the sacred Bread is given in the Eucharist Who could forbeare â—…eares sayes Walsingham heaviâ—…y bewailing thess changes to see servants command their Lords who know not how to rule nor how to pity To see London once the noble head of our Cities become a stie for uncleane Swine Who would not tremble to heare that the Archbishop and the Lord Treasurer should be offered victimes to wicked spirits to the Kentish Idol the Kentish Saturne or Moloch and his Hob-goblings in the midst of the Kingdome Nay sayes he whose heart would it not have wounded through to have seene the King of England who of right for Majesty and dignity ought to precede all Kings in the World out of feare of his head observe the nods and becks of these varlets and the Nobility and Gentry mortifiâ—…d beasts trampled on by these scullions it slaved at their owne charge lick up their dust After dinner a sad dinner to the Monks this merdaille these stinkaâ—…ds throng before the gates and demand the Charter of Lâ—…berties which the Abbot had promised them to seale which was sent and read to them in the thickest of the rout If they please to accept it this was the Abbots Complement he is ready to seale They resolved never to be pleased with much scorne and pride answer by an Esquire of the Abbot That the Abbot must appoint some Clerk of his to attend them with Ink and Parchment Themselves would dictate and after the Abbot and Covent should confirme what was done when this humour was satisfied The safety and peace of the Monastery and Monkes were as desperate as ever The old Charter which they will everlastingly believe concealed must be produced else they will bury the Covent in the ruines of the Cloysters This Charter did certainly as they will have it conteine all their antient Liberties and priviledges and if this was true there was no great reason it should be in the Abbots keeping Here the Abbot imployes the most honourable Esquires of the Countrey as Mediatours to soften them and offers if they desire it to say Masse before them next morning and to sweare upon the Sacrament he should be about to take with what Monkes they would name that he kept from them no such Charter with his knowledge Make choice sayes he of what Liberties you can you shall have my Charters drawne they shall be granted you by it I will seale you a reall Charter instead of a fantasticall one never seene by you no where to be had The Abbot struggles in vaine against these waves this Charter of their fancies they will have Nor shall any other price redeeme the Monastery they intended the subversion of the house and wrangle thus crossely that they might seeme to have some pretences to doe it but because they had much businesse to goe about and could not be here and there too a truce was taken for that day and many of these pure brethren betake themselves to other parts some of them would not be prevailed with the Bread and Ale of the Monastery brought forth to them in huge Fats would not worke upon them to lay their fury they stayed onely for a leading hand Here an honest Burgesse interposes Ribaulds sayes he what is it you purpose most of you here are forrainers of the Villages about this is the most famous mischiefe which can be acted in this Countrey this Beacon must set all on fire and it is fit we who are Burgesses and Free-men of this Towne should give the on-set by this finenesse they are gained to quit the gates and joyne to the assistance of their fellow-labourers The rest of the day is spent by their united forces in overthrowing of houses clashing of vessells and spoiling of goods according to the rule of Walter the false founder of the order At night the Lieutenants make Proclamation under the Kings Banner commanding strong Guards to be set about the Towne that they may be assured against surprizes and about the river Werlam and Saint Germanes making it losse of the head to any Monke who should be found issuing from or entring the Monastery that way This was done to set a trap for the Prior and those who fled with him They proclaimed also that whosoever could challenge any debts due to him from the Monastery might put in his claime and little proofe should be needed the next day and the Burgesses of the Towne would discharge as far as the goods of the Monastery would reach Much more was Magisterially throwne in to shew a cast of the present power which was no sooner done but there appeares a Farmour of the Mannor of Kingsbury belonging to this Abbey armed with his Sword and Buckler this man was much in arreares for his Farme and durst not peepe abroade from his lurking holes before these broyles which hiding of himselfe he imputes now to the injustice and cruelty of the Prior this chuffe demands one hundred Marks damages for the losses he had sustained in his absence and threatens to burne the grange of Saint Peter and Mannor-house of Kingsbury neare the Abby if he be not repaired twenty pounds he receives upon this demand and goes away swearing he would freely give it back againe for the Priors head Saturday night passed with much perplexity to the Monkes who were at their wits ends and lifes too they could not hope better things about the Charter which was no where extant but in the ndodles of these cluster-fists But day and comfort broke out together upon them Suddenly this overflow of pride and arrogancy abated their loftinesse fell and their bristles were somewhat laid very unpleasing rumours concerning the Army were spread and the death of the Idol Tyrant Wat of stinking memory was certainely knowne and divulged and what was as stabbing that the Citizens of London growne wise and resolute either out of loyalty or which is the rather to be supposed experience of their new master began now to owne
keepe company with the Priors and chiefe Justices Walter of Todington a Monke was sought for they wanted his head but he hid himselfe and escaped Our hacksters errant of the round Table Knights of industry would be thought Generall redeemers to take care of all mâ—…nin distresse For the Burgesses sake they command the Monkes threatning them and their walls if they obey not to deliver up all the obligations of the Towns-men for their good behaviour all the antient Charters from the time of King Cnut the Founder any way concerning the liberties of the Town besides they must grant and confirmâ—… by Charter the Liberties of the Towne which could not be done in the vacancy for so it was Edmund of Brumfield Abbot in name by provision of the Pope was a prisoner at Notingham nor had any election beene since the death of Abbot Iohn Brivole and therefore the Jewels of the house are pawned to the Townsmen as a gâ—… that Edmund of Brumfield whom they would suppose Abbot and whom they intended to set free should Seals which Jewels were a Crosse and Calice of Gold with other things exceeding in value one thousand pounds these were restored againe in time of peace but with much unwillingnesse Upon the brute of the Idolâ—… mishap and the suppression of his Legions at London these Caterpillers dissolve of themselves Wraw the Priest Westbrome the rest of the capitall villeins in the generall audit or doomesday for these hurliburlies shall be called to a reckoning for their outrages Cambridge suffered not a little in these uproars the Towns-men with the Country peasants about confederated together breake up the treasury of the Universiâ—…y tear and burn its Charters they compell the Chancelour and Schollars under their common Seals to release to the Major and townsmen all rights and Liberties all actions and to be bound in 3000â—… not to molest the Burgesses by sâ—…its of Law concerning these things for the time to come The Mayor and Bailiffs were fetched up by writ to the next Parl. where the deeds were delivered up and Cancelled the Liberties of the towne seized into the Kings hand as forfeited new ones granted by him to the University all which they owe yet to the piety of this King and his Parliament a Court which the Idol never names had he set up one of his owne bâ—…getting it must have had nothing else but the name it would have beene as destroying as the field Norfolke the Mother of the Kets would not loyter this while nor sit lazily and sluggishly looking on Iohn Litster a Dyer of Norwich King of the Commons there infuses zeale and daring into his Country-men he had composed out of his owne Empire and the borders an Army of fifty thousand Men This upstart Kingling would not wholly move by example hâ—… makes presidents of his owne and tramples not like a dull beast the râ—…ad beaten by others He had heard what was done by the London Congregations he had a stock of traditions from the Elders there which he was able to improve and although I know not how he could exceed the Idol with his councell yet so the Monk exceede them he did he presumed greater things Tyler lost his life before things were ripe was watched and undermined by the King and Nobility he could not spread his full saâ—…les else for his presumption he far out-goes Litster Litster the Norfolke Devil begins with plunder and rapine the onely way to flâ—…sh a young Rebellion The Malignants of the Kings party the rich and peaceable goe under that notion are made a prey no place was safe or priviledged Plots were laid to get the Lord William of Ufford Earle of Suffolke at his Mannor of Ufford neer Debenham in Suffolke into the company out of policy That if the cause succeeded not then the Rebels might cover themselves under the shadow of that Peere The Earle warned of their intention rises from Supper and disguised as a Groom * of Sir Roger of Bois with a Port-mantue behind him riding by-waies and about ever avoiding the routs comes to St. Albanes and from thence to the King The Commons Failing here possesse themselves of the places and houses of the Knights neare and compell the owners to sweare what they list and for greater wariness to ride the Country over with them which they durst not deny among those inthralled by this compulsion were the Lords Scales and Morley Sir Iohn Brews Sir Stephanâ—… of Hales and Sir Robert of Sallâ—… which last was no Gentleman borne but as full of honour and loyalty as any man Knighted by the Kings Grand-father for his valour he was sayes Froissart one of the biggest Knights in England a man not supple enough who could not bend before the new Lords He had not the solidity of judgement as some more subtle than honest call it to accommodate himselfe to the times Like Messala he would be of the Justest side let the fortune be what it would he would not forsake Justice under colour of following prudence he thought it not in vaine to prop up the falling Government perhaps his judgement may be blamed he stayed not for a fit time had he not failed here he had not â—…ought against heaven against providence whose counsells and decrees are hid from us are in the clouds not to be pierced our understanding is as weake as foolish as providence is certein and wise Our hopes and feares deceive us alike we cannot resolve our selves upon any assurance to forsake our duty for the time to come Gods designes are knowne onely to himselfe It is despaire not piety despair too farre from that to leave our Country in her dangerous diseases in her publick calamities the insolency of injust men is a prodigie of their ruine and the incerteinty of thingâ—… humane may teach us that those we esteeme most established most assured are not seldome soonest overthrownâ—… Plato would not have men refer all things to fate there is somewhat in our selves sayes he not a little in fortune Ours are but cockfights the least remainder of force and life may strike a necking blow and by an unlooked for victory raise what is falne if death cannot be kept off if our Country cannot be saved by our attempts there is a comlinesse in dying handsomly nor can any man be unhappy but he who out-lives it We have heard of Women who cast themselves into the fiery pits where their dead husbands are consumed of Vassals who stab themselves to follow their Prince into the next world of Othoâ—… Praetorians of the Saguntines burning in their Cities flames What can be so honourable as to dye for or with our Countrey or Faith our Religion or Honesty to die with that which gave us life and liberty and sense of these Litsters Hog-herds vow to burne Norwich unlesse this Knight will come out to them which he does well mounted and forsakes his Horse to please them They seem to honour him highly and offer
killing had not fallen by the sword of Lancaster he had found his grave on Tower-hill or Smithfield where the faithfull lieges of his Crown were torn in pieces by these Canibals The reverence due to the annointed heads of Kings began to fall away and naked Majesty could not guard where Innocency could not But Tyler blinded with his owne fatall pride throws himself foolishly upon the Kings sword and by his over-muoh hast preserves him whom he had vowed to destroy The Heathens make it a mark of the Divinity of of their Gods that they bestowed benefits upon mortal men and took nothing from them The Clownes of the Idoll upon this rule were not very heavenly they were the meeke ones of those times the onely inheritours of right the kingdom was made a prey by them it was cantoned out to erect new Principalities for the Mock-kings of the Commons so their Chiefs or Captains would be called Here though the title of the Rebellion spoke fair was shâ—…wn somewhat of ambition and no little of injust private interest no little of self-seeking which the good of the people in pretence onely was to give way to and no wonder for the good of the people properly was meeraly to be intended of themselvs and no where but amongst those was the Commonwealth Had these Thistles these Brambles flourished the whole Wood of noble Trees had perished If the violent casting other men out of their possessions firing their houses cutting off their Heads violating of all Rights be thought Gods blessing any evidence of his owning the Cause these Thieves and Murderers were well blessed and sufficiently owned Such was then tho face of things estates were dangerous every Rich man was an enemy mens lives were taken away without either offence or tryall their reign was but a continuation of horrible injuries the Lawes were not onely silent but dead The Idolls fury was a Law and Faith and Loyaltie and Obedience to lawfull power were damnable Servants had the rule over Princes England was near a slavery the most unworthy of free and ingenious spirits of any What I relate here to speak something of the Story I collect out of Sir John Froissart a French-man living in the times of King EDVVARD the third and his Grandchild King RICHARD who had seen England in both the reigns was known and esteemed in the Court and came last over after these Tumults were appeased and out of Thomas of Walsingham a Monk of St. Albanes in Henry the sixth's dayes who sayes Bale in his centuries of him writes many the most choice passages of affairs and actions such as no other hath met with In the main and to the substance of things I have made no additions no alterations I have faithfully followed my Authors who are not so historically exact as I could wish nor could I much better what did not please me in their order No man saies Walsingham can recite fully the mischiefs murders sacriledge and cruelty of these Actors he excuses his digesting them upon the confusion of the combustions flaming in such varietie of places and in the same time Tyler Litster and those of Hartfordshire take up most part of the discourse Westbrome is brought in by the halves the lesser Snakes are onely named in the Chronicle What had been more had not been to any purpose Those were but types of Tyler the Idoll and acted nothing but according to the Original according to his great example they were Wolves alike and he that reads one knowes all Thomas of Becket Simon of Montfort the English Cataline Thomas of Lancaster Rebels and Traitors of the former years are Canonised by the Monks generally the enemies of their Kings miracles make their Tombes illustrious and their Memories sacred The Idol and his Incendiaries are abhoâ—…ed every where every History detests them while Faith Civility Honesty and Piety shall be left in the world the enemies of all these must neither be beloved nor pitied THE IDOL OF THE CLOWNES THe Reigne of King Richard the second was but a throw of State for so many yeares a Feaver to whose distempers all pieces of the home Dominions contributed by fits * the forrain part onely continuing faithfull in the fourth yeare of his reigne and fifteenth of his Age the dregs and off scum of the Commons unite into bodies in severall parts of the Kingdome and forme a Rebellion called the Rebellion of the Clownes which lead the rest and shewed the way of disobedience first Of which may truly be said Though amongst other causes we may attribute it to the indisposition and unseasonablenesse of the age that the fruits of it did not take it was strongly begun and had not Providence heldback the hand the blow had fallen the Government had broke into shivers then The young King at this time had few besides Thomas of Woodstock his Unkle Earle of Buckingham and after Duke of Glocester but the servants of his house in ordinary about him the Lord Edmund of Langly Earle of Cambridge after Duke of Yorke with the Lords Beauchamp Botereaux Sir Matthew Gourny with others of the Nobility and Gentry had set saile for Portugall the Duke Iohn of Lancaster another of his Unkles was in Scotland treating a peace when this commotion brake out Though no cause can be given for Seditions those who designe publick troubles can never want pretences Polidore as much out in this story as any gives this reason for this The Polle money sayes he imposed by Parliament a groat sterling upon every head was intollerable It was justly imposed and so by some to whom Law and Custome of England were intollerable not to be indured but we shall find in the tyranny breaking in not onely fifth and tentieth parts and loanes forced out of feare of plunder and death but subsidies in Troops and Regiments by fifties more than Sequeltrations and Compositions not under foot low sales for what had these Rascalls to give but downright Robbery and violent usurpation of Estates Thus would Polidore have it in defence of his Priests who blew the fire and thrust the silly rout into the midst of it He takes it ill that Baal valle he calls him should be supposed by I know not what slaterers of the Nobles to have filled these sailes to have let these windes out of their Caverns In the fourth yeare of this King sayes the Monkâ—… there was a grievous Tax exacted in Parllament after cause of great trouble every Religious paid half a Mark every Secular Priest as much every Lay-man or Woman 12d This might discontent the people but who prepared the Mutineers for such dangerous impressions who fell in with them after and pushed them forward will be soon found Froisâ—… sart complaines of the servitude of the villanes or Bond-men now Names worne out a miserable sort of drudges frequentth knowne here in the Saxon times excluded from any right of propriety sold and passed away with the Mannour or Lands to
the Prophet in his preparations and his willingnesse to hurt He disperseth other Letters of this kinde in one he chargeth all men in the Name of the Trinity c. to stand Man-like together and help Truth now we have Truth to our peace and Truth shall help them in his ragges of Verses for a Rimer he would be he is as earnest for Truth They begin Iack Crewman doth you to understoud That falsenes guyle hath reigned too long And Truth hath been set under a Lock And falsenes reigneth in every Flock No Man may come truth to But he must sing fi dedero Many Remonstrances and Declarations flew abroad from him The Kentishmen seasoned by this Priest or Prophet of the Idol are easily tempted by the Essexians to associate in the undertakings and share in the honour of gaining Liberty pretious Liberty for the people and taking away the evill customes of the Kingdom which is the glorious Title of the tumult This was no more sayes the Monke than the Kentishmen had long wished for They are quickly ready and by the Arts used by those of Essex put all the Countrey into a combustion That they may not appeare with too much horror at the first sight they would seem to pretend to an out-side Piety they account so they tell the Kingdome and the world the professing of any thing in the sight of God the strongest obligaâ—…ion that any Christian and the most solemne publick faith that any such state as a Common-wealth can give In all humility and reverence they contrive a sacred vow and Covenant They fasten the knot of their holy League with National Covenants and Oaths which themselves will first break than which there can be no stronger tie Religion consists in Faith he who loses hiâ—… Faith hath lost himselfe Oaths contrary to their sworne Allegiance and former Oathes which is a most absurd impiety here God must be called upon to helpâ—… and witnesse the perfidiousnesse oatheâ—… use to end so helpe me God he who performes not his oath directly and plainly renounces God and all that is sacred and Divine to sweare to day against what we were sworne to yesterday must be strange amongst Christians these impieties being once allowed there can be neither peace society nor government amongst Men safe and unindangered The wayes leading to Canterbury are beset the Pilgrimes swarming thither according to the superstition of those Ages are seized and forced to sweare with these extraordinary Workers To keep faith to King Richard whose most faithfull Servants most humble and loyall Subjects they professe themselves to be and the Commons according to their power and vocation To accept no King called Iohn a vanity throwne in for Duke Iohn of Lancasters sake the Kings Uncle and neglected by the Norfolke reformers who advanced King Iohn Litstere to the Soveraignty To be ready upon summons to assist the Commons the great wheele of the New State for whom this Oath was given and to be principally respected by it To induce their friends and allies to hold with them and to allow no Tax but the fifteenth which say they falsly was the onely Tax their forefathers ever heard of or submitted to How sacred in all the parts this Oath will be with them which never was to be intended more than temporary will soone be discovered diversity of words cannot change the nature of things Their first march is to Canterbury where they visit Thomas of Canterbury who lived and dyed a Rebell to his Prince and to use the words of Rogerius a Norman in Caesarius the Monke deserved death and damnation for this Contumacy against his King the Minister of God a fit Saint for such votaries Their kindnesse was not much they spoile his Church break up the Bishops Chamber and make a prey of all they finde protest the Bishop shall give them an account of the profits of his Chancery and here they begin their audit Thus we see our New reformers are entred but Sacriledge ushers them in they break ope the Prisons and free the Saint in Bonds Baal when they had done what they came for the Citizens who had entertained them willingly leave their houses to keep them company a Councell is called to resolve upon what ground the next storme should poure downe London ever false to the Prince The Wood which no doubt would lodge the Wolves is set by their Orders Tyler the Idoll who knew his Reigne would last no longer than while these Men continued madde thought this the onely place likely to keep them so London too was the fairest mark and besides the Clownes were assured of a welcome upon a private invitation from some of the Citizens whose Ancestors and Predecessours in all ages in the tumults of the Confessor S. Edwards reigne in all the Barons Warres since have gained the renowned to be lovers of Reformation otherwise pure Rebellion enemies to Courtiers and Malignants enemies to the enemies of their deare Liberties which yet sometimes they pursue with too much heat and blinde zeale sometimes to their cost and repentance mistäking every where both notions and things the bridles which they without feare or wit provide for their Kings being often thrust into their owne mouthes by the new riders which themselves lift into the saddle while they growne sober Mules dare neither kick nor sting Behold the common people sayes the Knight when they be up against their Prince and especially in England among them there is no remedy for they are the perillousest people of the World and most out rageous if they be up and specially the Londoners sayes the Monk The Londoners never want fury if they be not kept in if license or insolence be permitted them The Princess Dowager of the incomparable Edward the black Prince Mother of the young King then at Canterbury hardly escapes these Savages who rudely assault her Chaire and put her and her Ladies in no small feare of Villany to be done to their persons This princess was so willing to be out of their reach that notwithstanding she was very fat and unwieldie she got to London in a day Tyler who had insinuated himselfe into the good grace of these Churles by appearing the most stirring and active of the Kennell who began and ruled the cry and was by I know not what Ceremony perhaps like that Irish election by casting an old shoe over his head declared Prince of the rabble leades them to Rochester which will not come behinde Canterbury in kindenesse The people of the Towne sayes the Knight were of the same sect it seemes the Castle once one of the strongest in the Kingdome was now neither fortified nor manned the Governour Sir Iohn Moton yeelds himself into their hands he was one of the Kings Family of his House-hold and must be thought awed as he was into the ingagement Here the Commons might be thought ashamed of their owne choyce they offer Sir Iohn the Generalls staffe which
Lord the King The Major answers in full upon the accursed Sacrilegious Head of the Idol with his Sword He struck heartily and like a faithfull zealous subject Dagon of the Clownes sinkes at his feete The Kings followers inviron him round Iohn Standish an Esquire of the Court alights and runs him into the belly which thrust sent him into another World to accompany him who taught Rebellion and murder first Event was then no signe of a good cause All History now brands him for a Traitour which by some will be attributed to his miscarriage withoâ—… doubt had he prospered in the Works he had had all the honours which goe along with prosperity The King had beene the wrong doer and his afflictions if nothing in so much youth could have beene found out had beene crimes we must overpower those whom we would make guilty Henry the great of France under the Popes interdict is told by a Gentleman Sir if we be overcome we shall dye condemned hereticks if your Majesty conquer the censures shall bâ—… revoked they will fall of themselves He who reads the mischiefes of his usurpation will thinke he perished too late Now I come to an Act of Richards the most glorious of his History which the Annals past can no where parallel here his infancy excells his after man-hood Here and in the gallantry of his death he appeares a full Prince and perhaps vies with all the bayes of his usurpers triumphs Alexander the Monarch of the world Not more wondered at for his victories then for that suppressing the Sedition of his Macedons in Asia tired and unable to march whither his ambition carried him on wings leaps from his Throne of State into the Battels of his Phalangesâ—…raged Seâ—…ses thirteene of the chiefe malecontents and delivers them to the custody of his Guards Curtius knowes not what he should impute this amazement of the Seditious to every man returning upon it to his old duty and obedience and ready to yeild himselfe up into the same hands it might be sayes he The veneration of the Majesty of Kings which the Nations submitted under worship equally with the Gods or of himselfe which laid the tempest That confidence too of the Duke Alessandro of Parma in a mutiny of the German Reiters at Namuresâ—…s memorable who made his way with his Sword alone through the points of all their Lances into the middest of their Troops and brought thence by the coller one of the Mutineers whom he commanded to be hangâ—…d to the terrour of the rest The youth of Richard begat rather contempt than reverence of which too these Clownes breasts were never very full When the fall of the Idol was known to the rout they put themselves into a posture of defence thunder out nothing but vengeance to the King and his whom they now arraign of Murder and Tyranny He is guilty of Innocent bloud a Tyrant a Traitour an Homicide the publique Enemy of the Common wealth Richard Plantaginâ—…t is indicted in the name of the people of England of treason and other heynous crimes He is now become lesse than Tylers Ghost a Traitour to the Free-borne people His treason was he would not destroy himselfe he would not open his body to Tylars full blow They roare out our Captaine Generall is slaine treacherously let us stand to it and revenge his precious bloud or die with him I cannot passe this place without some little wonder had these Ruffians with whom Kings hedged about by holy Scripture and Lawes humane are neither divine nor sacred beene asked whether Tyler the Idol of their own clay and hands might have been tryed touched or struck according to their resenting this blow here let his tyrannies his exorbitances have beene what they would they would have answer'd no doubt in the negative Though Richard might have been struck thorough and thorough Tyler who had usurped his power must have been sacred it must have been treason to touch him Phocas must not be hurt in Tylers case Straw would allow the old texts againe The powers were to be obeyed Their bowes were drawne when the King gallops up to them alone and riding round the throng asks them What madnesse it was that armed them thus against their own peace and his life whether they would have no end of things or demands He tells them if Liberty be their onely aim as hitherto they have pretended they may assure themselves of it and that it is an extreme folly to seek to make that our owne with the breach of Faith of Lawes with impieties violating God and Man which we may come by fairely But they trod not the path to Liberty That where every man commands no man can be free the Liberty too they fancy cannot be had the world cannot subsist without Order and Subjection men cannot be freed from Lawes If they were there could be no society no civility anywhere Men must be shunned as much as Wolves or Beares rapine and bloud-shed would over-run the world the spoyler must feare the next comer like savage beasts who hurt others and know not it is ill to hurt them men would devout men the stronger Thiefe would swallow up the rest no Relations would be sacred where every man has the power of the Sword the aged sire could there be any such must defend his silver haires from the unnaturall violence of his own Sons He addes if there can be any just cause of Sedition yet is the Sedition unjust which outlasts it which continues when the cause is yeilded to and taken away that if his Prerogative has beene sometimes grievous his tax 's heavy and any of those they call evill Counsellours faulty they ought to remember in their first risings and all along in all their Oathes and Covenants they swore continually not to invade the Monarchy nor touch the Rights of his free Crowne You ought to remember your own Remonstrances you once declared that you acknowledged the Maxime of the Law The King can doe no wrong If any ill be committed in matters of State the Councellors if in matters of Law the Iudges must answer for it My person was not to be violated He expects they should deale with him as the honest Husbandman does in overflowes of Waters who cleares and draines his ground repaires the bankes but does not usurp upon the streame does not inhance within the Channell And farther that quarrels to his Government and Lawes are unreasonable from those who out of ambition arme to overthrow both that reformation is not the worke of Sedition which ever disorders what is well setled He conjures them to forsake these suries who sayes he abuse their lightness meerely for their owne ends whose companions or masters they were lately now are they but their Gâ—…urds and that if they refuse a subjection according to all Lawes Divine and humane to his Scepter they must become slaves and tributaries to their Iron to the Flailes and Pitchforkes of some Mushrome of
their owne dirt and that advancing their Mushrome thus upon his power by the wayes of force gives an example to the next tumults against themselves There can be no safety for any new power raised upon this force the obedience to that upon these Rules being limitted and annexed to the force and success and to yeild and give way to the next power visible which shall overbeare it A way to thrust a Nation into a state of War continuall perjury and impiety to the Worlds end This Realm as he goes on is my inheritance which I tooke possession of after the death of my Grand-father being a child and did I claime onely by your gift which I shall never grant yet are not you free to make a new choice you are bound to me by Oathes and Compacts and no right of new compliance or submission can be left you to transferre He concludes That despair was a dangerous sinne which would drive them head-long to destruction That whatsoever their offences had been they were not above his mercy He bids them not trouble themselves for Tyler a base fellow who thrust them into dangers and blew them into a storme to raise himselfe upon the billowes upon the ruines of his Country He promises to lead them he will be their Captaine if they will follow him he will please them in all their desires This he spake to draw them off farther into Smithfield fearing they would againe fall to burning of houses They now wanted their Devill who possessed them and being in doubt whether they should kill the King or returne home with his Charters there being no incendiary to command follow the King in suspence Baal and Straw about this time amazed at the Idols fall lose courage and flâ—…p away In the meane time the stout Major spurres to the City with one servant where in a few words he acquaints the Citizens with the Kings perill and his owne and requests their sudden assistance if not for himselfe for the King who sayes he is in danger now to be murthered Some loyall hearts some good men of the Kings party arme and joyn to the number of one thousand and range themselves in the street expecting some of the Cavaliers of the Kings Knights to conduct them resolved either to overcome or not to feare the Conquerours Sir Robert Knowles a renowned Commander in the French Warres of the Kings Grandfather called falsly Canol by Polydor and others undertakes this charge Sir Perducas D' Albret called D' Albreth a noble Gascoigne and a Commander too in those Warres Nicholas Brembre the Kings Draper and other Aldermâ—…n come in with their Levies and march to the King in sight of the Rebels There the King Knights the brave Wil Walworth Iohn Standish one of his Esquires Nicholas Brembre Iohn Philpot a most generous Citizen famous for his faithfull service to his Prince in the times succeeding and others The Nâ—…bility about the King desire him to strike off an hundred or two of the Clowns heads in revenge of the injuries and infamy they had received from them Sir Robert Knowles would have him faâ—…l on and cut them all to pieces The King dislikes both these counsels He sayes many of these unhappy men were awed to side without either malice to his Pâ—…rson or Power and that if the first advise were taken the most innocent might be punished and the guilty scape If the second the very Rebel and the Counterfeit the forced one must be swallowed up together which was high injustice Yet were there many of these Râ—…bels called to account and their acts of bloud rapine and burning cost them deare but these acts of theirs done against Law were punished legally upon the finding of Juries when the Tumults were composed Which was faire and handsome and shewes the honourable justice of our King All that was done against them that night was to forbid the Citizens by Proclamation to entertain any of these men in the City or communicate with them and to command all men who had not dwelt there for one yeare before to depart So farre was the young King from approving the cruelty of the 〈◊〉 counsels that in the next place he causes the Charters which he had promised them to be delivered yet some may suppose this but a pardon of shew and the pardon-piece of the Charters as well as the other part rather a piece of policy than any thing else the Countries being yet tumultâ—…ous the Clownes were upon their good behaviour that was a condition of their pardon which they would not observe they commit new outrages break the Kings Laws pluck down the vengeance of Justice upon their heads afresh they did not give over their mischiefs after their return sayes Wals. By the King and his Counsell the Charters as extorted out of force and necessity were recalled and though the Mâ—…ynie generally were pardoned the King againe provoked staid but for a fit time to take vengeance on the Ring-leaders and punish particular offendors who could not be forgiven It being necessary in so desperate a Revolt for the terrour of others to make 〈◊〉 of some such maliciouâ—… disturbers of the peace as would never have been reclaimed The Kings Charters contained a Manumission of the Villains and abolition of the memory of what was past for the rest The tenor sayes Walsingham of the Charters ixtorted from the King by force was this he gives us onely that of Hartfordshire the Province of his Monastery RIchard by the Grace of God King of England and of France Lord of Ireland to all his Bailies and others his trusty to whom these Letters shall come greeting Know yee that we of our speciall grace have made free all our Lieges and every of our subjects of Hartfordshire and we free those and every of them from all * bondage and quit them by these presents and also we pardon the same our Lieges and subjects for all Felonies Treasons Trespasses and extortions by them or any of them in any wise done or committed and also every Outlary or Outlaries if any against them or any of them are or shall be published and our full peace to them or any of them therefore we grant in witnesse whereof these our Letters we have caused to be made Patents Witnesse our selfe at London the 15. day of June the 4th yeare of our Reigne This Charter was granted about the time the Clownes of Essex disbanded and received theirs it was brought into Harfordshire to Saint Albanes by Wallingford one of the Towne Friday sayes Walsingham the day of tribulation c. which was the 16 of Iune the Towns men of Saint Albanes being at the time of Matines acquainted by those of Barnet with the command of the Ordinance or Act for repairing to London presently with the Esquires of the Abbot set forth So that I conceive the day of this Charter is mistaken in it by the Monke The Clownes throw down
of force because it was obtain'd presently after his Creation when things are presumed to be rather extorted than obtained Bodin denyes that a King deceived or forced can be bound by his grants The justice of Contracts is that alone which binds The distinction of Royall and Private acts is of more sound then strength and answers not the injustice of the impulsive violence which must be naturally vicious every where and corrupt and weaken the effects and cannot be good and bad by changes or as to this or that Grotius who loves this distinction in another place is positive There must be Equality in all Contracts He condemns all fear or awe upon the person purposely moved for the contracts sake and tels us out of Xenophon of those of Lacaedemon who annulled a sale of lands which the Elians had forced the owners to passe out of fear A Charter of King Henry the third imprisoned and forced is said by Aldâ—…nhans to be voyd upon this reason and I judge the justice of this revocation by the Law of England by which as ouâ—… old Parliâ—…ments such force is Treason The fruits of wch were here more justly plucked up than they were planted He who gives up his money to Thieves according to his oath may lawfully take it away from them however they are bound to make restitution Nor can any prescription of time establish a right of possession in him who makes his seizure upon no other title but Plunder and Robbery The 5th of this King the Parliament declares these Grants to be forced and voyd Enough to clear the honour of King Richard as to this part At Chelmsford the King is informed of the whole History of mischiefs done at St. Albanes and resolved in person with all his Guards and Cavalry to ride thither and sentence the Malefactors with his own mouth but Sir Walter Leye of Hartfordshire fearing the muâ—…h impoverishing thâ—… Country if the King should make any long stay there with such numbers as then attended him beseeches him to make a tryal wehther things might not be composed without him and offers to reconcile the Abbot and Townsmen if the King would which was consented to The King grants him a Commission and joyns with him Edward Benstude Geofrey Stukelye and others of the Gentâ—…y of that County The coming of these Commissioners was noysed at St. Albanes The fiercest of the Clowns knowing what they had done was condemned by the Law and not to be defended but by force which now they had not began to shake and take fright are plotting to get out of the way Grindecob Lieutenant of the late Idol comforts them he perswades to goe to Horse Let us meet the Knight sayes he and see whether his looks promise Peace or not if not the Towns about us have engaged they have associated and are of our League we are rich and cannot want good fellows who will assist us while our monies last On St. Peters day this ill advised crue meets the Knight upon the Rode who waâ—… ignorant of their resolutions and conduct him honourably according to their fashion to the Town Sir Walter had with him fiftie Lances and some Companies of Aâ—…chers listed at random many of them being of the Churles and confederates with them The Knight cites the Towns-men and their Neighbours to appear before him in Derfold to hear the pleasure and commands of the King They fail not There hâ—… tells them what Forces the King had assembled how rigorously those of Essex were sentenced That the King was highly incâ—…nsed at the troubles and seditions of this place of which he was the Patron and Defender That with great difficulty he had procured of the King a Commission by which himself and others not Strangers or Enemies but their Friends and Neighbours were authorised to do Iustice in the Kings stead he concludes if they will appease the King they must find out and deliver up the beginners of these broyls and make satisfaction to the Lord Abbot an holy and a just man for the wrong they had done him This many of the hearers approve and promise to obey The Knight charges a Jury to be made ready the next morning and make what discovery they can and gives the people leave to depart Towards night he sendâ—… for the Jury to his Chamber intending to have apprehended the Lieutenants by the assistance of the Jury without any noyse These good men and true know nothing it was the case of their fellows in mischiefe and might be their own They answer in a plain Ignoraâ—… they can indict no man accuse no man Amongst all the founder of these swine there was not one who had been faithless and disloyal to his natural Liege Lord not one breaker of his peace not one who could appear so to them The Knight seems not to understand the falsnesse and cunning of these Hob nâ—…ile perjured Jugâ—…ers He takes another way and next requires them within a peremptory time to bring him the Charters which they had forced from the Monastery they return after a short consultation and in the Abbots chamber where the Knight then was tell him They dare not obey out of fear of the Commons what was more they knew not in whose custody the Charters were The Knight grows angry and swears they shall not goe out of the Chamber till he have them which they call imprisoning their persons Here the Abbot intercedes and though he knew them as very knaves and lyars as any Tyler had set on work yet he will not he sayes distrust their honesty he will leave things to their consciences upon which they are freed Another Assembly is appointed at Barnet Wood whither the Villagers about throng in multitudes Three hundred Bow-men of Barnet and Berkhamsted make here so terrible a show nothing is done The Commissioners privately charge the Gentry Constables and Baylifs to seiz in the night Greyncob Cadindon Iohn the Barber with some others and to bring them to Hartford whither themselves went in all haste which was performed The Esquires and servants of the Abby were sent with them to strengthen the company This inrages the Townsmen afresh they gather into Conventicles in the Woods and Fields so much frightful to the Monastery that the Abbot recalls his Esquires le ts the prosecution fall and fearfully summons in his friends to guard him Greyndcobs friends take advantage of this change and bayl him for three dayes within which time they were either tyed to agree with the Abby or render up Greyndcob to the Justices again The Townsmen fierce enough still yet earnest to preserve their Worthy are content to part with the Charters But this Greyndcob more fool-hardy than wise would not consent to Nor does he as knowing the stifnesse of his Clowns whine in a Religious tone never used by him He prayes them to consider how beautifull Liberty is how sweet how honourable Dangerous Liberty sayes he is more valuable than safe
endeavoured to repair the breaches of his entrance it would have been no small labour to have restored things to any mean and tolerable condition If Presbyter VVicklief and his Classes by their pernitious Doctrines as they are charged to this day did first pervert and corrupt the people and broach that vessell with which Father Baal and Straw poysoned them they must have ruined themselves by the change sure enough they had been no more comprehended in any of Tylers Toleration than the Prelatical or Papistical party In the turmoiles and outrages of this Tyrannie had it taken Innocence Virtue Ingenuity Honesty Faith Learning and Goodnesse had been odious and dangerous The profit and advantage of the new Usurpers had been the measure of Justice and right The noble and ignoble had dyed Streets and Scaffolds with their blood not by Laws and Judgement but out of malice to their height and worth out of fury and covetousness to inrich publicke Theeves and Murtherers The jealousies too and feares of Tyler had made all men unsafe Yet the repute the renowne of the Founders could not have been much The glory of successe cannot be greater then the honesty of the enter prise there must be Justice in the quarrell else there can be no true honour in the prosperity Cato will love the conquered Common-wealth Iugurtha's fame who is sayd to bee Illustrious for his Parricides and Rapines will not make all men fall down and worship On Munday the fifteenth of Iuly not of October as VValsingham is mis-printed The Chiefe Justice Tresilian calls before him the Jury for Inquiry who faulter and shamelâ—…sly protest they cannot make any such discovery as is desired The Chiefe Justice puts them in minde of the Kings Words to them upon the way promising pardon if they will finde out the offendors else threatning them with the punishment they should have suffered who through such silence cannot be apprehended Out they goe againe and the Chiefe Justice follows them He shewes them a Roll of the principall Offendors names tells them they must not thinke to delude and blinde the Court with this impudence and advises them out of a care to preserve wicked mens lives not to hazard their own Hereupon they Indict many of the Towne and Country which Indictments are allowed by a second Inquest appointed to bring in the Verdict and againe affiâ—…med by a third Jury of twelve charged onely for the fairenesse of the Tryall So no man was pronounced guilty but upon the finding of thirty sixe Jurors Then were the Lieutenants Greyndcob Cadingdon and Barber and twelve more Condemned Drawne and Hanged VVallingford Iohn Garleck VVilliam Berewill Thomas Putor and many more with eightie of the Countrey were Indicted by their Neighbours and Impriprisoned but forgiven by the Kings Mercie and discharged They were forgiven most by the Kings Mercie for hee had forbidden by Proclamation all men to sue or begge for them a command which the good Abbâ—… sometimes disobey and hee shall bee-well thanked for it No beneficâ—… oblige some men 〈◊〉 true rugged châ—… can never be made fast never bee tyed by any merit whatsoever Nothing can soâ—… him See an unheâ—…rd of shamelesness till then These laziâ—… tender-hearted Clowns who could hardly be got to discover the guilty now runne with full speed to betray the innocent They indict the Abbot as the principall Raiser and contriver of these Tumults which struck at his own life and the being and safetis of his Monastery The Abbot as it is said sent to Tyler upon his ordinances some of the Town and Monastery but to temporiz and secure himself This is now supposed by the very Traytors indeed Treason by Common Law and Statute against the King his naturall lâ—…ige Lord This having not the feare of God in his heartâ—… c. but being seduced by the instigation of the Devill 〈◊〉 compassing the death c. the deprivation and deposing of his Soveraign Lord from his Royal State c. 〈◊〉 such Indictments use to run this must goe for levying VVar against our Lord the King adhering to comforting and aâ—…ding his enemies by opon fact which are the words of the Statute of Treason declarative of the Common Law The Chief Justice abominating and cursing the treacherous malice and perfidiousness of these Bruits makes them tear the Indictment which themselves though urged are not wicked enough to swear to nay which publiquely they confess to bee false in the face of the Court Villeinage was not now abolished though so methink otherwise but by degrees extinguished since this reigne Besides the Letters of Revocation before restoring all things to their old course A Commission which the Abbot procured from the King out of the Chancery then kept in the Chapter-house of this Monastery makes this manifest which speaks to this effect RIchard by the grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland c. To his beloved John Lodowick Jo Westwycomb c. We command you and every of you upon sight of these presents c. That on our part forthwith ye cause to be proclaimed That all and singular the Tenants of our beloved in Christ the Abbot of S. Albane as well free as bond the Works Customes and Services which they to the foresaid Abbot ought to doe and of ancient time have been accustomed to performe without any contradiction murmur c. Doe as before they have been accustomed The disobedient are commanded to be taken and imprisoned as Rebels In the time of King Henry the seventh there were villains This I observe to make it appeare how little it is which the miserable common people without whom no famous mischiefe can be attained are gainers by any of their riots or seditions whatsoever the changes are their condition is still the same or worse if some few of them advance themselves by the spoiles of the publique shipwrack the rest are no happier for it the insolent sight offends their eyes they see the dirt of their owne ditches Lord it over them and the body of them perhaps more despised than ever Tyler who could not but have known that nothing can be so destructive to Government as the licentiousnesse of the base Commons would doubtlesse when his owne work had been done quickly have chained up the Monster he would have perched in the Kings sacred Oâ—…ke all the Forrest should have beene his Bishopricks Earledomes nay the Kingdomes had been swallowed by him instead of a just ligall power by which the Kings acted an arbitrary boundlesse unlimited power must have beene set up instead of a fatherly royall Monarchy a Tyranniâ—… after the Turkish mode a Monarchy seignioral and had he brought in upon the fall of the Christian Faith and Worship which must have followed his establishment Circumcision and the Creed of Mahoâ—…et as the spirits of men were then debased he must have been obeyed All the Kings right and more must have been his Sultan Tyler's Prerogative