nor league with them from the notorious 〈◊〉 these fraudulent Gibeonitish Ambassadours put upon theâ— by their lying words and from the murmuring of thâ— whole Congregation against them Notwithstanding all this we find they let them live lest Wrath shoulâ— have been upon them because of the Oath they 〈◊〉 sworn unto them And that they did well in keepinâ— this so solemn a league and Covenant though obtainâ—â— by Fraud and hastily made we have divine Authority to assure us from the Lord in the Three Years Famine he sent upon the Land in King David's Days foâ— Saul and his bloody House because in his Zeal to thâ— Children of Israel and Judah he sought to slay the Gibeonites and so violated the Oath made by their 〈◊〉 Fathers hundreds of years before We cannot with out the greatest breach of Charity suppose that 〈◊〉 holy a Man as David one after Gods own Heaâ— made use of this only as a pretence to ruine and exâ—â—pate Saul's Family and settle the Crown the faster 〈◊〉 his own Head and to fix it the surer to his posterity aâ—ter him If any of us were so Atheistical as from thâ—â— instance to look upon Religion as only a piece of 〈◊〉 Policy our Suspicious Thoughts and Censures woulâ— be soon answered from David's own manner of actiâ—â— in this particular who is recorded to have spared 〈◊〉 Son of Jonathan Saul's eldest Son and that too upâ—â— account of the Lord's Oath that was sworn betweeâ— them many Years before As the Scriptures plainâ—â— shew us that Joshua and the Princes of Israel did we in keeping the Oath they had sworn though draw into it by Fraud and Deceit so in them we find 〈◊〉 ill it fared with Zedekiah the last King in Jerusalâ—â— after he had broken the Oath which Nebuchadnezzâ— had made him swear by God We doubt not but the there was force enough upon him to compel him 〈◊〉 it may be the price of a Kingdom likewise induced him thereto for the benefit of his present occasions but how ill went it with Judah for his breaking that Oath by whatsoever force at first gained of him even to the destruction of the chief City solitary desolation of the Land for many Years and utter ruine of the Monarchy for ever after For afâ—er the Captivity we find it reduced back again into a kind of Common-Wealth under Rulers and but one of them of David's Line mentioned in the Scriptures that I remember Governours the high Priests the Maccabees the Sanhedrim unto the coming of Shilo So fatal to the Jewish Nation was their Princes Irreligion There is no respect of Persons with the Almighty at whose Tribunal all must once stand to be judged High and Low Rich and Poor Noble and Ignoble Kings Princes and People as sure as the Scripture which we esteem the word of the great God is infallibly true But whither has the overflowing of my thoughts carried me To go back again therefore into the way from whence I have so far deviated In this same 44th year of King Henry wherein he commanded all of Twelve Years and upwards in London to swear to be true to him and his Heirs we read of further grudge and displeasure beginning to kindle between the King and his Lords The occasion is related to be for that the Barons with consent of the Peers discharged one and admitted another for Justice unwitting the King The displeaâ—ure hence arising and encreasing more and more was â—owever a little appeased for a while by the Policy of the Kings Brother and some Prelates of the Land â—n this Year the Chronicler thought it worthy remark â—o make mention of the variance that fell out between â—he Londoners and the men of Northampton at a Fair â—here held for a man of that Town there slain which occasioned a long Suit and Plea between them to 〈◊〉 great vexation and trouble of both Parties wherein 〈◊〉 the end the City had the better That City that 〈◊〉 able to make a Contest with the King 's whole 〈◊〉 is likely enough to match a particular Town In the 45th shortly after Alhallontide the Baroâ— admitted and made Sheriffs of divers Shires namiâ—â— them Guardians and Keepers of the Counties and Shiâ—â— and discharged such as the King had before admittâ—â— Neither would they suffer the Justices but such as 〈◊〉 of their own admission to keep the Itinerary 〈◊〉 The Law allowed them power and they were 〈◊〉 it seems to use it The King as any may easily suppose was grievously discontented therewith insomucâ— as saith the Chronicle that after that Season he â—â—boured what he might to disannul the former Ordinanâ—â— and Statutes and cause them to be broken To thâ— end on the second Sunday in Lent was read by thâ— King's Command at Paul's Cross a Bull of Pope 〈◊〉 the 4th as a Confirmation of another Bull before pâ—â—chased of his Predecessor Alexander the 4th to absolâ—â— the King and all others that before had sworn 〈◊〉 maintain the Articles made at Oxford and afterwaâ—â— the said Absolution was shewed throughout Englâ—â—â— Wales and Ireland streight charge being given to 〈◊〉 that none be so hardy to withstand or disobey the 〈◊〉 said Absolution And if any were found disobediâ—â— to this Commandment that he should be put in Prisâ—â— without Ransom or Deliverance till the Kings Plâ—â—sure were further known The Pope could pretend 〈◊〉 absolve on either side if he were well paid 〈◊〉 then could any Oaths be suppos'd to avail without sâ—â—able Power to compel their Observance Yet hitheâ—â—â— the Commons of the City held their Power formeâ— granted them For we read of another License â—â—ven to the King at a Folk-Moot to sail into 〈◊〉 according whereunto he departed the morrow followâ—ng from London Anno 46. Tbomas Fiz Thomas being Mayor Phiâ—â—â— Walbrook Richard Taylor Sheriffs about Martintide â—he Jews felt the Peoples Fury to some of their costs â—o odious was that Nation grown in many parts of â—he World since our Saviour's Crucifixion which had been formerly the darling of Heaven that it must have been a very small mattâ—â— that would not easily have â—â—rred up the common People of the Land where they lived against them In this Year is unkindness â—oted to have arisen between the Londoners and the Constable of the Tower for that contrary to the Ciâ—ies Liberties he took certain Ships passing by with Wheat and other Victuals into the Tower and made â—he Price at his Pleasure Hence might great harm have ensued had not by the Policy of wise men the matter been committed to the Chief Justice and others by direction of the Kings Council to set an order and Rule between the said Parties The effect whereof was that after Evidences and Priviledges produced to â—he advantage of both it was firmly adjudged that â—f the Constable or any other Officer of the Tower would at any time take any Wheat or Victuals to the â—â—se of the King or the Tower he should come into
and Profit of the Realm which Oath by his license and most gracious favour they â—ntended to observe and keep One of the Ingredients â—hat according to the Royal Psalmist goes to the comâ—osure of a Citizen of Zion who shall abide in the Lords Tabernacle and dwell in his Holy Hill is that â—e changeth not though he sweareth to his own hurt â—nd moreover continued the Mayor to avoid all ocâ—asion that might grow of grudge or variance beâ—ween him and his Barons within the City they would â—ut all Aliens and Strangers out thereof if he were so â—ontented The King shewed as if he was well pleaâ—â—d with this Answer so that the Mayor with his faâ—our departed and sent Answer to the Barons acâ—ording to the same their Liberties alway upholden â—id saved The Barons lying so near London and â—ith so considerable a strength 't was time for those â—obles who were against those Statutes to be packâ—â—g as fast as they could for fear of the associated â—ords But the King is said to have sent after them â—â—vers Persons of his Houshold and of the Citizens of â—â—ndon to induce them to return and tarry with him 〈◊〉 that season according to the Mayor's former words all Aliens suspected of any favour owing to the one Party or the other were put out of the City Impartiality is rarely found among the Children of men though it is so commendable a Virtue not to have respect of Persons But not long after we hear of their being placed in Offices many of them in Windsâ—â— Castle by Edward the King's Son So usual is it for contesting Parties to receive and prefer one anothers outcasts No wonder then if we sometimes see the same done in private Families when at variance among themselves which is so oft acted over and over again in publick differences Then Watch and Ward was kept dayly in the Câ—ty and in the night certain assigned to ride about the Town with some Foot-Men allotted to them to search all the Town over But hence harm ensuing by reason that evil disposed Persons under colour oâ— Watch-Men seeking for strangers robbed and spoileâ— many Houses in one part of the City while the ridiâ—â— Watch was in another place a standing Watch was oâ—dained in every Ward The mind of the City being made known by their publick Mouth the Mayor 't was time for men of a different Interest to endeavouâ— to draw the King further off from it Accordinglâ— we find the King departs from the City when â—â— heard the Barons were coming into it The Baroâ—â— enter the City the Sunday before St. Margaret's day and the King shortly after returns to Westminster wiâ—â— the Queen and ohers of his Council Soon after 〈◊〉 Hugh le Spencer is made Chief Justice and Keeper 〈◊〉 the Tower by consent both of the King and the Bâ—rons Upon the morrow following Maudlin Day was a Writ directed to the Mayor and Aldermâ—â— charging them that the King's Peace be firmly 〈◊〉 within the City for in the same it was expressed thâ— the King and his Barons were lovingly agreed Fuâ—thermore in the same Writ it was commanded that if within the Precincts of the City were any person or persons known that would withstand the foresaid Ordinances and Statutes that all such should be attached and put in Prison and their Goods also attached for the King till they knew his further Pleasure Well had it been for many great persons if this agreement had lasted longer but like other Worldly things this new peace was also transitory However here we meet with another instance of the Cities Concern of the Cities Power of the Cities Influence 'T was the Citizens concern to keep the Peace thus happily and quietly made 'T was their Power you here find engaged to see to it And their Influence upon either party you may guess by the due care taken to inform them of the late mutual Agreement In these days of Misrule and time of the Barons residing in the City we are given to understand that many Robberies were committed by divers therein and much harm done but little corrected they were so born out and maintained by their Masters Such is the too too common effect of Civil broils The Commons of the City were far out of Rule by the incensing of riotous Persons so that in the Assemblies and Courts kept at Guild-Hall or other places Worshipful men were little or nothing regarded and simple indiscrcet persons carried away the voice As the City was in those days powerful so the Lords seem well to have known it when to obtain the more favour of the Citizens they willed them to shew them if they had any of their Liberties withdrawn that they might again to them be restored and also to think of some new ones to their Weal and Profit and they would labour to the King to have them granted Can any one desire greater Evidence than Ocular Demonstration The City had a great many good and beneficial Liberties and Franchises already granted to the Emulation and Envy of many of her ill-willers Yet here our own Eyes may easily certifie us of a large offer voluntarily made to her Citizens by such as had Power to encrease them had they had the discretion at that time to have made a good use of it For the Mayor having upon this kind offer assembled the Commons at Guild-Hall and willed the Officers to devise such things as might be beneficial to the City they counselling together are said to have made such a note of Statutes Provisions and Ordinances to their own singular Profit and so prejudicial to all other Foreign Merchants coming to the City to all other Fairs and Markets of England and the universal Weal of the Realm that upon overseeing them the Heads told them they were neither lawful nor charitable and such as they knew would not be admitted So common is it in too too many concerns for private Interest to be brought up in the Van while the publick is left lagging behind as it were a loof off in the Rear The Heads of the City willing the Commons to devise other Ordinances their first being so uncharitably ordered and they I know not upon what account nor upon whose Incitation proving refractory and refusing both those and others right necessary for the Common-Weal of the City were rejected and put off saith my Author For men to go to logging of Bills when they cannot otherwise hinder their passing is a known Practice After St. James's day we hear of the Barons departure from London towards Windsor where they turned out the Aliens before plac'd therein by the King's Son Edward who thereupon with other associates rode to the King with Complaints in their Mouths against the Barons for spoiling them of their Goods But these being then put off by the King with a promise of Justice till more of his Council were with him he with other Attendants sailed into France whence being returned after Michaelmas to
in this Case be by the advice and discretion of the Justices thereto assigned To mitigate it doubtless not inhance it at pleasure to ruin particular persons and annihilate the City's Liberties by pretending the loss of her Charter How respectful King Lords and Commons in Parliament assembl'd shew'd themselves to this honourable City hath been sufficiently declar'd prov'd and made manifest I presume already in the foregoing Relation Let us now call off our Meditations from this particular point and fix our thoughts upon an other Argument highly demonstrative of the City's power drawn from no less uncouth a Topick than tumults and disorders insurrections and Outrages of unruly people There having pass'd an Act of Parliament in the fourth of this King to impower him to Collect and Gather Poll money throughout the Land and many exactions thereupon and incivilities being committed by the new Collectors and other Officers some of the Courtiers having procur'd the Kings Commissions for a review and a more exact Collection under the notion of the Kings being cheated and defrauded through the unfaithfulness of his former Tax gatherers the Commons thought themselves so abus'd and oppress'd that in many places they took Counsel together to make resistance and in several Counties assembled themselves in great numbers to the no small disturbance of the Land Amongst these the Commons of Kent and Essex are reckon'd the greatest bodies gathered together under such heads as Wat Tyler Jack Straw and the like obscure Fellows These we find quickly coming to London where they soon obtain entrance notwithstanding the Mayors intended opposition and then quickly carry all before them behead whom they thought good do what they would burn great mens Palaces at their Pleasure the Gates of the Tower are set open to them the King rides to 'm in fear unarm'd and ill guarded at their sending for and grants them as large Charters as they desired none of his Courtiers daring to oppose or resist their Insolencies so that they seem to have had all things for a small season under their sole Power Direction and Command as remaining Masters of the Field without a stroak stricken by any opposite Party such a terrour did their numbers and boldness strike into mens minds at the first and so effectual was their success in getting within the Walls of London either through the joynt assistance of many Commons there inhabiting or else rather under the repute of having the whole City at their beck But when the first brunt was over and it was visible that the greatest best and most of the Citizens joyn'd not with the Country Commons to approve or abet them in their furious outrages and violences the tide was soon turn'd and deliverance brought both to the King and Court by the courage of this Loyal City The Mayor himself as their Head made the first open beginning was seconded by his Brethren the Aldermen and quickly followed by the worthy Citizens He being a man of great boldness by the Kings permission first arrested and afterwards grievously wounded one of the chiefest of the Rebells Jack Straw saith Fabian Wat Tyler saith Stow to the great encouragement of those about the King among whom this Arch Rebel receiv'd his death and daunting of the Rebellious Commons to which valiant Deed the City is indebted for Walworths Dagger some say inserted upon this Account in her Coat of Arms. After this Act away rides the Mayor with one Servant only the Annalist tell us into the City and crying out to the Citizens to come speedily to the Kings assistance raises a considerable strength who well arm'd under the leading of Sir Robert Knowles came in good time into the Field where the King was among the tumultuous Commons not so well attended but that the unexpected coming of the Mayor and the armed Citizens is expresly said to have caus'd rejoycing in the minds of the King and those few Knights and Esquires then about him and the Issue acquaints us with the great consequence hereof when we read of the Commons throwing down their weapons immediately falling also themselves upon the ground and beseeching pardon who but a little before gloried that they had the Kings life in their own power and so possibly might have continued boasting had not the Citizens thus rous'd up themselves to the Kings relief and timely dispers't these seditious Rioters in the midst of their insulting Pride That this was a piece of Loyalty as well as valour most timely and seasonably shewn is evident from the great influence what was but barely done at London though without London's consent had upon the Countrey For from the Annalist we are given to understand that there were the like Insurrections in Suffolk and Norfolk and in express words told that these overthrew House and Mannors of great Men and of Lawyers slew the Students of the Law c. according to the manner of them at London having for their Captain an ungracious Priest nam'd John Wraw who had been at London just before had seen what was done there and came thence with Instructions from Wat Tyler So that what 's done in the City is very likely to be imitated in the Countrey A disorderly Rout of people were got together round about and within the City and committed many unsufferable Outrages and several parts of the Country were resolv'd to follow the Fashion and do the like The Citizens courage quel'd these Tumultuous Commons in London and then they were quickly suppress'd we hear in other Places Then had the King reason to reward the Mayor and several Aldermen with the honour of Knighthood and other recompences and time to assemble an Army of his Loyal Friends and Subjects at London to guard him till the Principals of these dispersed Rebels were brought to condign Punishment by Law which was quickly done thanks to the worthy Londoners who had thus vigorously asserted the Kings Right defended his Royalty rescued his Person and regained him the exercise of his Kingly Power well near lost before through the Rebellion of his meaner Commons and cowardly Faintheartedness of his Courtiers Men it seems that could speak big at the Council-board and talk high upon the Bench under the shelter of the Kings Authority but when they were to come into the Field of War to fight for their Prince they prov'd meer Courtiers all words and no deeds The Citizens were the Men of valour They lay still the King was like to be undone and the Court ruin'd They appear'd to oppose the vaunting Enemies they fled before them and the King regain'd his own This one famous City the terror of her Enemies the joy of her Friends cooperates in the grand turns and changes of affairs in the Brittish world or else such attempts for the most part at least if not always prove vain fruitless and insignificant And where 's the wonder of this The whole City as a compact Body with Strength and Beauty fitly united may well be
London there passed an Inquest of Twelve Knights of Middlesex sworn upon a Jury between the Abbot of Westminster and the City for certain Priviledges the Citizens of London claimed within Westminster where by the said Jury it was found before the Chief Baron of the Kings Exchequer that the Sheriffs of London at those days might lawfully enter into the Town of Westminster and all other Tenements that the Abbot had within Middlesex and unto the Gate of the said Abby and there to make Summons and distrain for lack of Appearance all and every Tenant of the said Abbot 'T is not now adays only that the Londone's stand so strong for their Priviledges whatsoever some may think of it as if out of stubbornness and opposition Their Fore-Fathers were like-minded and stood up couragiously in defence of their just Rights and Liberties against Arbitrary Encroachers above Four Hundred years ago Anno 1262. After this the former Complaint of the Aliens and others was declared before the King and his Lords in the Parliament at Westminster This is the Term Fabian gives it but whether on the same account as he did before when he expounded a Parliament by a Council of Lords in the 43d Year pag. I am not so certain as positively to determine Here the Chronicle tell us it was at last sentenced but by what means and Inducements is not there set down that the Barons should restore all such Goods as they and their Company had taken from all Persons before that day as well to Aliens as other men both Spiritual and Temporal and also that such Menial Servants as should be daily in the Kings House and about his Person should be such as the King would choose and admit himself But the dissenting Barons utterly rejected these Articles whereupon the Fire of Dissention was again kindled between the King and those his Lords In the 47th Year by procurement of the Barons we are told that the Commons of London chose unto their Mayor for that Year Thomas Fiz Thomas Robert Moumphere and Robert de Suffolk were Sheriffs and without Counsel of the Aldermen swore him at Guild-Hall upon Simon and Jude's day and made no presentment of him the morrow following to the King nor to the Barons of the Exchequer as had been the custom For which we may easily suppose the King was much discontented with the City Whereupon the King perceiving the City would take the Barons part having caused his Son to seise Windsor Castle by a Train early in a Morning a little before Christmas he rode thither from Westminster whither shortly after came also many of the Lords that were upon the King's party As fast likewise the Lords and Knights on the Earl of Leicester's side drew towards London so that on either part was much People assembled In the mean time some well disposed Mediators endeavouring a Concord between the King and his Lords it was finally agreed by both parties that all matters concerning the foresaid Articles of the Statutes and Ordinances made at Oxford and afterwards by the 12 Peers should be referred to the French King to judge which should be held and which not Upon this Agreement were Copies made of the said Statutes with Letters shewing the â—ffect of the former Agreement and sent unto Lewis the French King Over sails the King with his Sâ—n Edward and others of his Council on one side On the other were sent Sir Peter de Mountford and others as so many Sollicitors for their mutual Parties So that the Statutes were strongly argued before the French King by both sides In the end the French King Lewis calling before him both Parties on January the 24th and sitting in Judgment gave express Sentence that all and every of the said Statutes and Ordinances should be from that day forward utterly void and set at nought and all such Bonds and Promises that the King or any other had made for the maintenance of the same should be annulled and cancelled and the King and all others for any matter concerning those Statutes set at Liberty After this Sentence thus given the King returned into England and so to London February the 15th This King Lewis is named a Saint for that he was not I suppose so bad as other Princes too too commonly are or more probably for some deeds of his pleasing to the Popish Clergy as his sending to destroy the then accounted Heretical Albigenses his taking a Voyage once into the Holy Land and undertaking a second towards the same place at the Popes request For at that time the Holy War as 't is generally called was cried up in these Western parts of the World as a high piece of Devotion But whatever esteem Lewis had got in the World the Barons it seems continued not to have the same Veneration for him but were contrary wise much moved with his Sentence noting great Partiality in him thus to disannul all the foresaid Acts which were at first made in Parliament the King agreeing to them and had been variously confirmed by the Kings Grant his Oath and manifold Promises together with a solemn Curse denounced against such as would attempt in word and deed to break them It may be 't was the Fame of this King Lewis's Goodness that made the Barons consent to have him the Umpire as one concerned on neither party But what could be expected in the Case Could it be supposed that he a King would not favour his Brother King what he might rather than by confirming these Acts pretended so prejudicial to all Royal Prerogative give Example to his own Subjects to require the like at his hands or attempt to compel him thereto by force Had the Lords gotten an Umpire from among some disinterested Subjects of some other Land he perhaps would have adjusted the business wholly in their favour So hard had it been to have met with a just Arbitrator in the case who would not have declined to one or the other Party for fear nor favour King Henry having thus got a Verdict on his side and the Barons noting Partiality and therefore refusing to stand to the Judgment though the Chronicle intimates to us that they had promised assuredly to abide the French Kings Arbitration For King Lewis expresly excepting King John's Charter before granted the Barons persisted in defence of the Oxford Statutes as founded on that Charter What then remains but to commit all to the last Decision of the Sword and so the whole Arbitrement shall be cast more immediately into the hands of Providence Away from London go the Lords Westward into the Marches of Wales where drawing to them great Power they war upon the Lands and Castles of Sir Roger Mortimer to whose aid Edward the King's Son coming his People were distressed and he himself almost taken To redress these grievances a new Parliament was appointed at Oxford which Fabian says never came to effect Yet he mentions another Chronicle which affirms this Parliament
was the name â—hen usually given to Canaan the Land of Promise wherein our blessed Saviour was Crucified to compleat the works of our Redemption the 〈◊〉 penny of every mans Substance moveable throuâ—â— out the Land of the lay fee and of the Spiritâ—â—â—ty by the Pops Assent three Dysmes to be 〈◊〉 three years A politick pretence vsed in those days get mony An invention somewhat suitable here 〈◊〉 to have latter ages found out and sometimes as bâ—neficial viz. To pretend war with a neighbour Nâ—tion and then get mony towards the raising an 〈◊〉 to carry it on If they could afterwards compass 〈◊〉 take mony on both sides to lay it again that 〈◊〉 good advantage but to get mony twice to 〈◊〉 it was double gain Much about this time t is that 〈◊〉 read in Stows Annals of a Quo Waranto set on foot 〈◊〉 an Assembly of Nobles met at London by the Kinâ— Command where by many to their no small 〈◊〉 were called before the Justices to shew by 〈◊〉 right they held their Lands But it was thought 〈◊〉 afterwards to cease any further prosecution thereâ—â— After that John Warren Earl of Surry being demanâ—ed on that writ what right he had to his Landâ— boldly drew out his Sword and said that thereâ—â— he held his Grand-Fathers Lands and by that 〈◊〉 keep them Wherein doubtless he would not 〈◊〉 failed of many Powerful Abettors and assistants 〈◊〉 the Kings Justices too rigorously proceeded in 〈◊〉 aâ—â—air We find it cost the Lord Cheif Justice of 〈◊〉 Allen dela Zâ—nch his life and the Earl only a 〈◊〉 of mony notwithstanding that he made that allaâ—â— upon the other before the other Justices of the 〈◊〉 He having affirmed by the Oath of 25. Knights at Wiâ—chester that he committed not that Fact upon any pâ—â—tended malice nor in contempt of the King this 〈◊〉 the Issue of the Quo Warranto in those days 55 was the year wherein my Author acquaints 〈◊〉 that the Citizens so well contented Prince Edâ—â—rds mind that he labour'd to the King his Father for them and procur'd their Charter in such 〈◊〉 confirm'd that they should after their Ancient â—riviledges choose of themselves a Major and two Sheriffs which Sheriffs were to have the Offices thereunto belonging to farm as before had been â—ccustomed except that instead of 350 l. paid aâ—â—retimes for the Fee-farm they should then pay 450 l. But that a quam diu placuerit was then thought of I don't find After this Confirmation thus granted and pass'd by the Kings broad Seal upon July the 14th we find the Citizens assemâ—led at Guildhal where they chose for their Major John Adryan 〈◊〉 and for Sheriff Walter 〈◊〉 and John 〈◊〉 And upon the 16th Presenâ—ed them to the 〈◊〉 at Westminster Edward being â—resent 〈◊〉 â—â—ey were admitted and Sworn â—nd Hugh Son of Othon discharg'd of the Rule of â—he City Then the Citizens of their free Will â—o writes Fabian gave unto the King an 100 Marks â—nd to Edward 500 Marks which the King well â—ccepted And soon after they receiv'd their Charâ—â—er of Confirmation bearing date July 21st and â—5th of the Kings Reign The Annals of this year my Author ends with 〈…〉 mischance hapning in London viz. The falâ—â—ng down of Saint Mary Bow Steeple in Cheapside â—o the slaying of Women and Children In the next year 56 he gives us the Relation of â—n other unfortunate accident that fell out in Norâ—ich through occasion of a fray between some Serâ—ants of the Monastery there standing and some of â—he Citizens This was carried on to such an height â—â— violence and fury that many of the Town were wounded and slain and the Abbey with all it's buildings except a little Chappel burnt down and destroyed But this afterwards cost the place the death of near upon 30 young Men of the Town who were Indicted Judg'd Cast Hang'd and Burnt as Occasioners and Executors of that Deed to the great sorrow of the Citizens and so much the rather for that they thought the Prior of the place was the Occasioner of all that mischief but he was born out it seems and defended by the Bâ—shop of Norwich Hard medling in those times with any of the Church-men they were grown so powerful and high Crested What destroy goods of the Church hah In days much later what a difference arose between Pope Paul and Fum'd the Common-wealth of Venice upon their Imprisoning an offending Church-man guilty 〈◊〉 less an offence than Murder The Thunderbolt oâ— Excommunication had been but a small matter had his Popeship but had power to have vented his Rage in an higher manner If the Romish Clergy so domineer over those Countries which have for many ages continued in Popery can we Englishmen rationally hope to be free their utmost revenge if they can but once get such an head over us as they have long desired and hop'd for No No thâ— thinking part of the Nation are all pretty weâ— satisfied of their purposes Plots and designs Leâ— them do their worst gnash upon us with their teeth and think to eat us up as bread Let them begiâ— a Massacre if they durst as soon as they pleasâ— it 's much but they 'll find to their cost free Englisâ— Spirits in English bodies who will not so easiâ— be brought to their lure as they may perhaps haâ— foolishly perswaded themselves from their converâ— with a few debauch'd unthinking men amongst 〈◊〉 King Henry dyes in the 57th year of his 〈◊〉 while his Son Edward was absent in th◠〈…〉 But upon notice hereof he returns for 〈◊〉 and in Auguâ—t comes to London where of the Cittizens he is received with all Joy and honoâ—â— and so conveyed to Westminster He had newly got for the Citizens their Priviledges restorâ—d in his Fathers days let us now see how matters were carried in his Reign between the City and the Court We shall find the City a powerful match still tho she met with many troubles and Enemies yet she weather'd them out in spight oâ— all attempts In the second year of this King Edward there was a great contest at Guildhal about the Major Certain attempts we hear of made the year before by some of the Citizens to have made such a Major as they listed but being then disappointed of their Accessaries it was hinder'd for that time but in this years beginning took further effect On Simon and Jude's day when Philip le Taylor before chosen Major should have taken his charge at the Guildhal divers Citizens put him beside the Majors seat and set therein Sir Walter Harvy who the year before had been Major This contention being brought before the King upon hearing the reasons of both parties when he could not bring them to an agreement he took occasion to put both the Candidates aside and chose Henry Forâ—ick for Custos of the City who so continued for a time So ready were some always to deprive the City of the use of her Liberties upon her
of standing up vigorously in their own defence against the forreign Enemy may be prov'd out of the sâ—me Author from the great numbers of armed men by the Nobles brought to the Parliament then at London and the Lord Chancellors calling men of Arms out of almost every part of the Realm to the Marches about London to beat back the Frenchmen with their King had they come Let this therefore serve to disprove the Annalists suggestions out of his own mouth and shew the Nobles care for the Cities safeguard in drawing such forces thitherward and their hopes of considerable assistance from the City to help them in the Common cause of self-preservation But suppose without granting it that there were some sparks of fear amongst them 't is questionable whether they did not spring from the mistrust of their principal Magistrates not out of any diffidence and distrust of their own strength or dread of a Foreign Enemies power and puissance For to me 't is an Argument that the Major of London this year look't Courtward since that we read of an endeavour to ingage him in such an horrid design as hath been before spoken of to destroy the principals of the opposite party at a private Supper in London Certainly the King would not have utter'd a syllable of an intreague of this importance to so powerful a Magistrate as my Author affirms he did had there not been hopes of prevailing on him in Reverence at least to the Kings word and desire But upon the Tryal it seems he prov'd himself an honester man in that point whatever his principles and inclinations otherwise were than his Predecessor whom we read of as deeply concern'd in that Plot. Much about this time 't is likewise that a Modern writer tells us that the Londoners incur'd much obloquy for that having before been Pardoned by the King of some Crimes laid to their charge but what nor when committed I find not by him mentioned they were ready to comply with his dâ—sires and a Jury of them being Impannell'd indited some Lords of many Crimes objected against them But this also is to be imputed to the Magistrates influence and power in calling out men fit for the purpose and not to the whole body of the Citizens For we read just after that when the Mayor thought to have rais'd them against the contesting Lords they resolutely refus'd and absolutely rejected the Motion as is before related So that 't was not having the Mayor at their Beck nor the Power they thought they had among the high Sheriffs of the Counties to procure such men return'd up to serve in Parliament as were nominated by the King and his Council that could shelter the guilty favourites at Cour from the censure of that August Assembly well known afterwards by the name of the Parliament that wrought wonders For on the very first day thereof all the Judges but one were Arrested as they sat in their places question'd for their extrajudicial opinions and Arbitrary actings and severely punish'd by Banishment and Confiscation of their Estates The Lord Chief Justice Tresilian lost his Life at Tyburn and the rest my Author says had all dyed had it not been for the Queens intercession As the Judges were thus brought under the Lash of those Laws which before they had so much abus'd to humour Arbitrary mens designs the better thereby to secure to themselves their own Stations and Offices of Judicature so the Patrons themselves and reputed promoters of these Arbitrary and illegal Actings were reduc't into the same Predicament Several of the chief were impeach'd of no less than High Treason in open Parliament the absent for ever banish'd and many of them in hold either Hang'd or Beheaded upon Tower-hil or at Tyburn notwithstanding they had been ere while Men of Name Power and Authority and in great favour at Court but just before So uncertain is the State of Mortality and so slippery is walking in high places But amongst all those who fell under the stroak of an angry Deity and so shamefully lost their lives by the hands of Justice most memorable is the fate that befel Sir Nicholas Brember Grocer late Lord Mayor of London who for many oppressions and seditions by him caus'd in the City was Beheaded as Stow informs us the Morrow after the Execution of the Lord Chief Justice Tresilian and which is more remarkable with the same Ax he had before prepared for others of his fellow Citizens So just is Providence to suffer the wicked to be insnared by the devices of their own hearts and to fall headlong into the Pit they had dig'd for others Stow tells us the King had oft-times made him Mayor of London against the mind of the Citizens But in Fabian who methinks being once Sheriff of this Honourable City should know best what had been formerly Transacted in that City of whose good order Policy and Government he hath expresly Treated in his Chronicle I don't find but that he was Elected and Chosen Possibly there might be an order made at Court Present the King and sent into the City to further and promote his Election which by the one might be esteem'd an imposing him on the City while the other only took notice of the meeting of the Citizens in order to an Election without relating how the matter was carried or whether he came in fairly by a Majority or else by a strong hand through the working of Court Favourites who influencing the Judges might make that pass for Law which was contrary thereto let the difference of voices be never so great on the other side So have I heard of a place where it was carried by thirteen against twenty one and when the business came to be scan'd over anew it was adjudg'd by vote against the Majority But this was rather the effect of Greatness and Power overruling than the result of Equity and Justice dividing to every one his right That this Man when Mayor met with great opposition from the most eminent of the Citizens I presume concludable from his Resentments and what is in plain words delivered of him by the Annalist how that whilst he was in the full Authority of his Mayoralty he caus'd a Common pair of Stocks in every Ward and a Common Ax to be made to behead all such as should be against him and had Indited eight thousand and more of the best and greatest of the City so resolv'd was he to carry on the design right or wrong to please his Masters and Abettors What kind of principled Man he was we may easily guess as from the aforementioned passages so from the Historians Relations before hinted of him as being deeply concern'd in the Plot before intimated to assassinate the contesting Lords and also afterwards one of the Chief Men that had a hand in laying the Ambuscade spoken of above unwilling the King as he swore to intrap them who upon promise of safe conduct confirm'd by the Oaths of