THE FORFEITURES OF Londons Charter Or an Impartial Account of the SEVERAL SEISURES OF THE City Charter Together with the Means and Methods that were used for the Recovery of the same with the Causes by which it came forfeited as likewise the Imprisonments Deposing and Fining the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs since the Reign of King Henry the Third to this present Year 1682. Being faithfully collected out of Antient and Modern Historys and now Seasonably Published for the satisfaction of the Inquisitive upon the late Arrest made upon the said Charter by Writ of Quo Warranto Printed for the Author and are to be Sold by Daniel Brown at the Black-Swan and Bible without Temple-Bar and Thomas Benskin in St. Brides-Church-Yard 1682. Since the Charter was granted to the Antient and Famous City of London by William the Conqueror Henry the Second and other Kings of this Realm we find several Inspections have been made into it and that at sundry times the Priviledges and Charter of the said City hath been taken away and suspended The Historical Relation of which as it is Recorded by the most Authentick of our English Writers Being now thought seasonable and useful is intended to be the Subject of this Treatise TO begin at the 50 year of the Reign of Henry the Third Anno Dom. 1265. Upon the Citizens taking part with the Earl of Leicester and the Barons against the King after the said Earl was Slain at the Battle of Eversham and the King again was restored to his Royal Dignities he began to call to mind how the Citizens had shut their Gates against him and succour'd his Enemies so that calling a Parliament at Westminster about the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in the year aforesaid all the Statutes that had been made by the Parliament the Barons had Assembled at Oxford were Repealed and also all such as had favoured the Barons and were as then either in Prison or abroad should be disinherited It was also ordain'd and passed the Assent of both Houses that many of the Wealthiest Citizens of London should be cast into Prison and the City should be deprived of the Liberties and Priviledges that had been formerly granted and confirmed to them as likewise that all the Chains and Posts should be pulled up and taken away thereby to leave the Streets fenceless c. This was no sooner Enacted but put in Execution for the chief Citizens were Arrested and committed to Ward within the Castle of Windsor till they should pay such Fines as were demanded which was 300 pounds a peice at least whereupon the Liberties of the City pursuant to the said Act were suspended and the Tower of London fortified with Outworks for its better Security as likewise such Posts and Chains as had been brought out of the City were placed about the Defences in nature of Barracado's not long after another Parliament was called at Westminster wherein a great number of such as had been aiding to the Barons had their Lands confiscated which Lands the King no sooner seized but he gave them to such as had faithfully served him in the Wars so that a considerable number as well of Citizens as others were obleiged to Compound with such as had the Donation bestowed upon them Upon these and such like proceedings of the King the Londoners thought it their safest way to submit to the Kings Mercy and after long attendance and at the incessant Intreaties of such Noble Persons at Court as they could make their Friends they obtained a Pardon though many of the Commoners refused to joyne with the Mayor and Aldermen and other Wealthy Citizens therein being rather inclined to stand it out and held several Debates about defending the City against the King but their Resolutions in that affair were by most of the wisest sort held as pernicious and dangerous to the Peace and Tranquility of the Nation The reason that induced them to such obstinacy as most conjecture was because the City at that time was Inhabited by sundry Nations who during the Intestine Broils had been admitted as Citizens to defend the same but in the end all those Debates and Consultations came to no effect for when every Man had spent his Verdict it was thought the safest way to submit to the Kings Pleasure and consent to what he should think fit upon which Submission and a Fine of 20000 Marks the King received them again into his Favour and ordered that such Lands Houses and other things as had been Confiscated and not disposed of should be restored again to the Owners After which he did not deliver them the possession or keeping of the City as formerly but placed Sir Othon as Custos or Guardian of the same who was also Constable of the Tower he likewise chose to be Bayliffs or as they are now called Sheriffs John Adrian and Walter Henery Citizens The King proceeded yet farther and compelled the most substantial amongst them to give their Sons as Pledges or Hostages thereby to prevent any Revolt for the future which Pledges or Hostages he caused to be kept in the Tower of London and maintained at the Cost of their Parents as likewise by advice of his Counsel he constituted a Captain in every County now called by the name of Lord Lieutenant to suppress any Rebellion that might arise upon the distast of the unruly multitude The King having all this while continued in the City the better to have an Eye upon and keep in awe such as upon the aforementioned occasions were ever now and then ready to make Insurrections and upon his departure ordained Sir John Lind and John Waldren Governours in his Absence by the Names of Seneschals or Stewards but such earnest Suits were made by the Londoners to obtain a free Pardon that in the end after the said Guardians or Governours had taken sufficient Security for the payment of the Fine of 20000 Marks the King granted them his Charter of Pardon under the Great Seal and sent it them wherein he freely remitted and pardoned all Trespasses and offences that had been committed by them during the War only the Lands Houses Goods and Persons which he had given to Prince Edward his Eldest Son were excepted This Charter of Pardon and Restauration of the Cities Liberties Priviledges and Immunities was dated at Northampton in the 50 Year of his Reign Anno Dom. 1266. upon which the Senescal was discharged and the Citizens chose then for Mayor William Fitz Richards and for Sheriffs Thomas de la Fourd and Gregory de Rocksledge and had the mannagement of the City intire as ever so that Trade began to flourish and the Companies began to Incorporate but this happiness lasted not long for in the 52 year of the said King Henry the Third Anno Dom. 1267. The King being absent in the Country the Earl of Gloucester taking great displeasure for that he might not have his Will as well for Banishing of Strangers as for Restitution to
Londoners the Princess having heard what stirs were abroad comforted him and told him that she would do her endeavour to compose the difference By this time the Londoners understanding that the Duke and his accomplice Sir Henry Piercy were Fled in great Fury hasted to the Savoy where meeting a Priest who demanded what the matter was they told him that they went to sease the Persons of the Duke and Sir Henry Piercy that thereby they might compel them to deliver up Sir Peter de la Moor which they unjustly detained in Prison upon the hearing of which the Priest replyed that Sir Peter de-la Moor was a Traytor to the King and deserved to be Hang'd upon which words so unseasonably Spoken the Multitude cryed out That it was Piercy in Disguise that Traytor to England and that his Speech betray'd him though he had changed his Habit and thereupon they so belaboured him with Swords Clubs and other mischievous Instruments that he fell down upon the place as Dead but they finding him yet to breath they halled him to Prison where he Dyed The Bishop of London hearing of these Stirs as he sate at Dinner left his Company and hasted towards the Multitude where being Arrived he admonished them by many perswasive Arguments to cease from such Rebellious proceedings and to depart to their respective homes affirming that he wonld bring all things that had been done to their prejudice to an amicable composure upon these perswasions of the Bishop every one returned to their Habitations so that all the Multitude were dispersed in less then three hours yet their hatred against the Duke could not be so thoroughly oblitered but that the same day they hung up his Arms reverse in the principal Streets of the City in token of his being a Traytor to the Kingdom as they then Related thereby to cast an odium upon his Name the which when the Duke heard he requested the Bishop to Pronounce Sentence of Excommunication against the doers thereof the Bishop of Bangor therefore being assisted by the Aldermen and other of the prime Citizens did pronounce the aforesaid Sentence the Bishop of London being unwilling to Incurr the Peoples hate thereby declining it Within three or four days after the Duke went to the Parliament House where he and several of the Lords that were his Friends being Seated they demanded of the Knights and Burgesses to return an answer to what had been formerly proposed as to the Subsidie and had return made by the Knights Burgesses c. that they would not help their Soveraign Lord the King with one penny a head only but with a groat for every Head throughout the Kingdom above 14 years of Age if so be that Mony might be deposited in the Hands of certain Lords and Barrons till such time occasion required the disposure of the same in the mannagement of the Kings affairs and that every Religious Person promoted should pay one Shilling The Duke having thus obtained his desire in this point began to call to mind the affront offered to him by the Londoners wherefore he caused the King to send for the Mayor Sheriffs and Aldermen of the City who being Introduced into the Kings presence he being at his mannor of Sheene now Richmond they found him placed in a Chair not well able to Speak by reason of his Sickness the Duke the Arch-Bishop and other Bishops with many Lords and Honourable Personages sitting about him where after due Reverence made and Silence commanded Sir Robert Aston began an Oration perswading the Citizens to confess their great and Heinous offences against the King and Duke and to submit themselves to their Mercy whereunto the Londoners answered that they had not conspired against the Duke neither had there heen any Evildone or spoken against him which they did consent to or know off which they were ready to prove before their Soveraign Lord the King and Duke himself yet they confessed that they could not stay the Insolency of the unruly Multitude by whom that which had chanced was committed wherefore they requested the King that he would not by any means Punnish those that were Innocent and Ignorant of the Fact instead of those that committed it promising that they would do their utmost endeavour to apprehend such as were guilty and compell them by Law to make satisfaction saying that they were no able to do in that point for the Duke as they would whereupon they were dismissed not a little glad that they came off so well A while after the King sent privately to them and commanded That they should Assemble together and make a Wax Candle or Taper with the Dukes Arms on it and carry it in a General Procession to St. Pauls Church there continually to burn before the Image of the Virgin Mary at the Charges of the City This was exactly performed but when the Duke came to hear of it it rather Exasperated him then any ways gave him Satisfaction wherefore he threatned the Citizens more than formerly saying that it rather redounded to his disgrace than Honour for that during his Life and in a time of Health they had offered up his Arms But they excused themselves by alledging it was done at the Commandment of the King his Father and that they would have done any thing that might have pleased him But this would not avail them for the Duke ceased not till he had displaced Adam Staple Mayor of the City and obtained Nicholas Brember to be Elected in his room and on the 29th of March 1377. caused him to take his Oath at the Tower of London as likewise several Aldermen were Outed and others placed in their steads And thus have I given the Reader an Impartial Relation of what happened to the Citizens and City of London during the Reign of King Edward the Third who Dyed at Richmond Anno. 1377. In the 65 Year of his Age having Reigned 50 Years 4 Months and 6 Days And now I shall proceed to relate what happened to the City during the Reign of Richard the Second Son to the Black Prince and Grand-Son to the beforementioned King But before I Treat of the Discord that happened I do not think it amiss though indeed it may be counted by some a Digression to inform the Reader how at the beginning of this Kings Reign the Citizens were Reconciled to their Capital Enemy the Duke of Lancaster King Edward was no sooner departed this Life but the City sent several of the Chief Citizens to wait upon Richard at Kinington where he and the Princess his Mother remained to promise him their ready Obedience in Proclaiming him King as his Right by Confirmation of Parliament and the Established Laws of the Kingdom and to assure him of their Loyalty and constant Fidelity Humbly beseeching him That he would take upon him to end the discord between them and his Uncle the Duke of Lancaster to accomplish which he promised to use his utmost endeavour and with many thanks
That they had forfeited a Bond of 9000 pounds to him besides their Liberties and Priviledges which Bond or Obligation they had formerly made to the King as a Confirmation of their Obedience and after the King had declared what new offences they had Committed he discharged the Mayor two Sheriffs and the rest of the Officers of their respective Offices and sent the Mayor and the two Sheriffs to a certain place there to be kept in Custody as his Prisoners divesting the City of London of all her Honours and Priviledges insomuch that a Citizen or Free-man should have no more Prerogative than a Forreigner or Stranger He also appointed the Lord Baleridge to be Governour thereof to keep and see kept the Kings Laws and his leige-Leige-people within the City of London in due order until such time as the King had otherwise provided for them after which a day was set them to answer the King and his Council to certain Interrogatorys which was on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen and the place affixed for that purpose was VVindsor In the mean while through the Mediation of such as were well-willers to the City the Kings Indignation was somewhat mittigated and pacified towards them insomuch that at length he released the Mayor and Sheriffs from their Confinements sending them home to their respective houses setting over the City notwithstanding a new Keeper or Governour reserving all the Priviledges and Liberties in his own hands In the mean time the Citizens consulting what was best to be done they at last agreed to submit themselves and all their Goods to the Kings mercy when upon the Assumption of the blessed Virgin all the Wealthy Citizens came to the King and submitted themselves accordingly insomuch that he speak friendly to them and began to receive them into favour On the VVednesday ensuing the King was purposed to come to London and the Citizens in great numbers came out to meet him on Horse-back and such as could not procure Horses went on foot to welcome him which they performed with Shouts and joyful Acclamations and not only men but likewise women and Children came flocking about him When he came near the City the Bishop of London with all the Clergy and Religious Persons of all Degrees whatsoever went out to meet him so that in that Procession there were said to be above 500 Boys in Surplices moreover the Citizens trimed the out-side of their houses and Chambers in every street through which the King and Queen were to pass as for the Houses of the wealthier sort they were bravely garnished with Cloth of Gold Silver Velvet and other Rich and sumptuous Stuffs In Cheapside there was a Conduit out of which two Spouts ran with red and white Wines and upon the Conduit stood a little Boy Appareled like an Angel having a Golden Cup in his hand in which he presented Wine to the King and Queen as they passed by In the mean time several Citizens presented the King with a Crown of Gold of great value as likewise another to the Queen and a while after they presented her with a Tablet of Gold with the Story of St. Ann Ingraven in it the which she most greatfully accepted and the rather by reason her own name was Ann as saith our Historian As likewise to the King a Golden Tablet of the blessed Trinity to the value of 800 pounds such so great and wondeful Honours did the Citizens of London to the King and Queen as the like before had been never done to any King or Queen of this Realm and so going forwards they brought the King and Queen to Westminster-Hall where the King placing himself upon his Throne and all his Nobles standing about him one in the Kings behalf as his Speaker gave the Citizens thanks for the great Honour they had done him and the Princely Presents which they had bestowed upon him and then they being commanded every man to fall to his business and that in the next Parliament they should have their final Answer they departed with great joy And thus far this Author makes his Report of what happened upon the afore-mentioned occasion After this Reconciliation by the means and methods before recited the Citizens followed their Imployments peaceably having several Grants and smunities added to the former as also when King Richard was Deposed by Henry Duke of Lancaster Son to John of Gaunt the Citizens by siding with the Conqueror preserved their Charter and Liberties as likewise during his Reign who took the Rule of the Kingdom upon him by the Name of Henry the 4th After him succeeded his Son Henry the Fifth into whose favour the Citizens highly Ingratiated themselves dealing likewise faithfully with his Son Henry the Sixth till such time as Edward the Fourth became Conqueror at which time they neglected him as thinking it safest to sail with the Wind of Power During his Reign they continued peaceable having many of their former Charters and Grants confirmed though not without considerable summs of money on the parts of the City King Richard the Third being a Usurper was obliged to make the Citizens his Friends for the better support of his Dignity so that they lived quietly during his Reign as also during the Reign of King Henry the Seventh but in the Ninth year of Henry the Eighth these following Disturbances happened The City of London being greatly Infested with Strangers who notwithstanding the Priviledges and Charters granted did use all manner of Handicrafts and had such Licenses to vend their Manufactures that the Citizens were greatly Impoverished nor was that all for they being Imboldened by relying upon the favour of the Courtiers openly abused the Citizens not only with reproachful words but likewise by Stroaks and amongst the rest one Francis D'Bard a Lumbard causing a Citizens Wife to convey her Husbands Plate and other Goods to his house he there kept her and would by no means restore her although an Action was brought against him These and such like matters stirred up the Citizens Indignation against the Strangers but above all one John Lincoln a Broaker who having drawn up a Bill of Grievances with it he went to Dr. Standish and desired him to read it in his Pulpit at the Spittle he being to Preach there on the Munday in Easter-Week but he like a Wise Man and good Subject considering of what evil consequence it might prove refused it upon which Lincoln went to Dr. Bele who was to Preach there on the Tuesday and so prevailed with him that he openly read it the Contents being these The Substance of the Bill of Complaint Read by Dr. Bele at the SPITTLE TO all you the VVorshipful Lords and Masters of this City that will take Compassion on the poor People your Neighbours as also of the great and insufferable Hurts Losses and Hindrances whereof proceedeth the extream poverty to all the Kings Subjects that inhabit within this City and the Suburbs thereof for so it is that the
be made unto such as had been disherited he began to raise new Tumults for having raised a great power in the Marches of Wales he came directly for London pretending at first as if he came to aid the King in his intended War with France upon which plausible pretence he obtained leave of the Mayor and Citizens to pass through the City into Southwark where he Encamped and shortly after Sir John de Evilli came and joyned him with about 2000 Horse and Foot upon which and some other Actions that had happened the Mayor caused the Bridge and Water-side to be guarded Day and Night with such Forces as could be raised and the Draw-bridge to be drawn up every Night but within a while the Earl used the Matter so that he was permitted to Lodge within the City with a considerable number of his men and getting into favour with such as bore most sway he by degrees got all his Army to Quarter there and having thus taken possession he got the Keys of all the Gates and set a Guard of his own men to Watch them upon which the Popes Legate who had fled to the Tower for safety came out and exhorted the Earl to desist his Rebellious Practises but in vain for the Earl not only commanded him to return from whence he came but likewise gave strict charge to such as kept the Guard on that side that no Provision should be permitted to be carried into the Tower notwithstand about 2000 persons were got into it resolving to defend it for the King till such time as he Arived with such Forces as he had gathered in Cambridge-shire and other places adjacent Upon the great abuses that were at that time used towards Strangers a considerable number of Jews with their Wives and Children got likewise into the Tower and had one quarter of at assigned them to defend which they did very Manfully so that many of the Londoners fearing new Insurrections might be occasioned by such proceedings went out of the City and carried with them the greatest part of their Substance and what they left behind them was seized by the Earls command who suffered his Men to spoil it at pleasure The greater part of the Commons of the City took part with the Earl which highly offended the King and the more for that they being as it were without Government tumultuously Assembled at Guild-hall and there chose for their Mayor Sir Richard de Colworth and for Bayliffs Robert de Linton and Roger Marshal discharging the Sheriffs of their Places Offices and Trusts contrary to the desires and endeavours of the more Moderate and Judicious part of the Citizens and carrying on their outrages yet farther they forc'd divers Aldermen and chief Citizens to Prison without Law or Process and having them in safe Custody went to their Houses where they not onely defaced them but took their Goods and spoyled them under a pretence of Sequestration as likewise all that had been Imprisoned within the City Prisons upon the Quarrel of the Barrons they set at Liberty Whilst these tumultuous Actions were at London the King lay at Cambridge with a considerable Army to hinder the Rovers that had fortified the Isle of Ely from making Incursions on that side notwithstanding they committed many outrages being emboldened so to do by reason of the London Tumults as well knowing they would oblige the King to draw off his Forces and such of them as were not intercepted by the Kings Forces frequently came to joyne with the Earl doing great Mischiefs by the way by whose assistance the Earl being much encouraged undertook to assail the Tower which held for the King in which was the Popes Legate and a great number of Armed men as is before recited upon the first News of which attempt the King dislodged his Army and Marched towards London but finding his Power too weak he was obliged to sell his Plate and Jewels to raise more Forces whereupon he sent Prince Edward and others into France and Scotland to raise them and again retired to Cambridge where he continued till the Prince came to him with an Army of 30000 Scots and French The King upon this Recruit leaving a sufficient power at Cambridge to defend those parts from the Rovers advanced with all diligence towards London resolving to give the Earl Battle if he durst leave the City to meet him sending a Herauld to give him notice of his intent When he was come to Windsor he there Encamped the better to inform himself how affairs stood in the City and how the people stood inclined not wanting many Loyal persons there to give him secret Intelligence what happened from time to time he had not long stayed at Windsor but his Army daily encreased which made Gloucester and his Party begin to doubt of the promised Success with which they had flattered themselves and thereupon were very desirous of Peace but the King would not hearken to their Proposals whereupon they appointed to give him Battle upon Houndslow-heath but the King coming thither with his whole Army at the day appointed found that they had altered their resolutions no person being there to oppose him after he had stayed some time and understood by his Scouts that no Army approached he set forwards towards London and wheeling about brought his whole Army to Stratford where he gave command they should Encamp In the mean while a Party of the Rebels that Quartered in Southwark went to Westminster where they dēstroyed the Church and much defaced the Abby then coming to the Kings Pallace and finding it disserted they broke open the Gates and plundered it breaking all the Windows and defacing the Images or Statues scarce forbearing to set it on Fire they likewise Robbed several other great Houses about London As the King lay thus Encamped at Stratford there came to him from beyond the Sea the Earls of Bullogne and St. Paul with 2000 Men at Armes also there Arived in the Thames a Fleet of great Ships with a considerable Supply of Gascoines which lay before the Tower waiting the Kings command to oppose whose Landing Gloucester drew Trenches and raised Bullworks but when no Man hoped for Peace by the mediation of the King of Almaigne the Lord Philip Basset and others the King consented to a Treaty wherein the Ordinance of Killingworth was in all points observed and in that Treaty of Peace the Londoners were comprehended and taken into favour upon condition that they forthwith payed 1000 Marks to the King of Almaigne for the Burning his House at Thisleworth and the Officers that had been displaced during the Tumults to be restored to their respective Trust and such as had been wrongfully Imprisoned to take their course at Common-Law against so many of the offendors as they could Learn were concerned therein In the 51 year of the Reign of Edward the third Anno Dom. 1377 the Duke of Lancaster using the Kings Authority directed Warrants to all the Lords and
Barrons Knights and Burgesses that 15 days after St. Hillary they should be present at London there to Assemble in Parliament to adjust matters appertaining to the Publick Wee l of the Kingdom to this Parliament came Richard of Burdaux Son to Edward the black Prince and Grand-Child to the King accompanyed with a great number of Knights and Gentlemen and was received by the Londoners after the best manner being presented with many Rich Gifts as likewise his Uncle the Duke of Lancaster seemed to Honour him above the rest placeing him in the Chair of State and advised him to demand that they would give the King two Tenths in one year or else of all the Merchandice that were sold in England for one year 12 pence of every pound of every Fire-House one Penny and of every Knights Fee one Pound of Silver which demands the Duke earnestly Prosecuted saying they of necessity must grant one of these Points for that the Enemies had Proclaimed War and would suddainly Invade the Realm upon which the Parliament desired time to debate the matter when as the day appointed for delivering their Opinions was come one Mr. Hungerford was elected to deliver their Opinions who had been if at that time he was not the Dukes Steward though some were of Opinion that Sir Peter de la Moor was the fittest Man on that occasion but these latter being few in number they prevailed nothing Whilst these things were doing the Duke proceeded yet farther and demanded a Subsidy of the whole Clergy which so thoroughly netled the Bishops that they mightily opposed it but the Duke consulting with one Wicliffe who greaaly Inveighed against the Clergy he affirmed that it was lawful not only for the King but for Temporal Lords to take the Goods of Clergy-men towards their Subsistance if necessity required it the better to effect this by pleasing the Bishops he Treated with the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to call a Convocation which was accordingly done and William Wickam Bishop of Winchester who had been Banished several Miles from Court was by the Dukes order brought there to this Convocation it was ordained that the aforesaid Wicliffe should appear to answer for his spreading his Doctrine throughout the City and in other places as likewise giving his Opinion to the Duke in prejudice to the Clergy and that being Tryed and Convicted for the same he should undergo such Penaltys as that Assembly should think fit And on the 15 of February in the year aforesaid the Convocation being Assembled he was brought forth by the Dukes command and as he came he was greatly annimated by such of his followers as had embraced his Doctrine and Councelled neither to fear the Bishops nor the great concourse of People seeing not only the Duke but likewise all the Nobillity present were his Friends when he came into our Ladys Chapple in St. Pauls Church Henry Peircy chief Marshal of England willed him to sit down and in a manner compelled him so to do saying that he had much to answer and therefore ought to sit upon which the Bishops were highly offended the Bishop of London in the name of all the rest alledging that since he was come as a Criminal to answer before his ordinary to such things as should be objected against him he ought to shew more Respect and Reverence to the Convocation The Duke being present and hearing the words of the Bishop began sharply to reprehend him Swearing that he would pull down not only his Pride but that of all the Bishops in England and added that although he Trusted in his Parents they could profit him nothing to which the Bishop replyed that he neither Trusted in his Parents nor in the Life of any Man but in God only in whom he ought to trust This last answer so Inraged the Duke that he Whispring the Bishop softly told him he would rather draw him out of the Church by the Hair of the Head then suffer such things at his Hands The Londoners who were all this while waiting in Crouds without hearing how the Duke had threatned their Bishop gave a Loud Shout Swearing that they would rather loose their Lives then any violence should be offered to their Bishop in his own Church and that which heightened their Fury the more was that the Duke being President in Parliament where the day before it was requested in the Kings name that from that day forwards there should be no more Mayor of London but that a Captain should be appointed and that the Marshal of England as well in the City as in other places might Arrest such as offended with many other things which were mannifestly against the Libertys of the City The Morrow after the Londoners Assembled themselves to take Councel what they should do in such a strait they were like to fall into in case a Captain should be chosen they concluing their Liberties must be no longer continued especially if the Marshals Office extended it self within their Jurisdiction and farther they argued what might be done in Reperation of the affront or Injury put upon their Bishop and whilst they were debating these matters and differing in Opinions about coming to a conclusion what to do the Lord Fitz Walter and Sir Guidio Brian entered the City whether to know their minds or otherwise is uncertain but the unruly Multitude construing things in the worst Sense were hardly restrained from falling upon them nor had they escaped the Hands of the Multitude had not they Sworn they came not in the least to perjudice the City when having no soonor obtained belief and pacified the Rabble but the Lord Fitz Walter stood up and made an Oration the effects of which was that whereas he being by Antient Inheritance Standard Bearer to the City was to take Injuries offered to them as to himself and thereupon willed them to look to their Defence He had no sooner ended but they run to their Arms every one taking what came next to hand and in a great rage went to the Inn where the Marshal lay breaking open the Doors and searching all parts of the House where they imagined he might be but not finding him they brought out a Prisoner whom they found there in Fetters and set him at Liberty and then went to other places in Quest of the Marshal but found him not for that day he and the Duke Dined with one John of Ipre of which they were Ignorant but they supposed at least to have found them at the Savoy and thereupon many of them came with all expedition thither in the mean while one of the Dukes Servants advertized his Lord what had happened and advised him to Shift for his safety whereupon in a great Fright he left his Provision and Fled by Water to his Mannor at Kennington where finding the Princess and the Young Prince viz. Richard of Burdeaux Son to Edward the Black Prince he related what had happened and grievously complained against the Insolency of the
Aliens and Strangers eat the Bread from the Fatherless Children and take the Living from the Artificers and the Intercourse from all Merchants whereby Poverty is so increased that every one bewaileth the Misery of the other for Crafts-men be brought to Beggery and Merchants to Neediness wherefore the Premises considered the Redress must be of the Commons knit and united to one part and as the hurt and dammages grieveth all men that they set their willing power for the Remedy and not to suffer the said Aliens so highly in their Wealth and the Natural born men of this Kingdom to come to Poverty Of this Letter or Bill there was more but the Dr. would read no farther finding it greatly tended to Sedition by stirring up and exasperating the hot-headed multitude against Strangers yet he took a Text to the purpose viz. The Heaven of Heavens is the Lords but the Earth hath he given to the Sons of Men. And thereupon went on to encourage the people to stand up for their Callings and Imployments insinuating the Lawfulness of fighting for and defending what was their Right saying That the Birds defended their Nests with their Bills and Claws as also the wild Beasts of the Forrests their Dens This and some other occasions of offence that ministered themselves so inflamed the Youths and a certain company of Deboist persons who hoped for Plunder if it came to a Tumultuous Insurrection that on the 28th of April they gathered together in small Companies and quarrel'd with such Strangers as they met in the Streets beating and throwing them in the Kennels insomuch that notice being given the Lord Mayor sent and apprehended the chief Authors of such Incivilities viz. Stephen Studly a Skinner Bets Stevenson and divers others who were imprisoned Whereupon a Rumor without any certain Author was spread That on the May-day following the City would Rise slay all the Aliens of which the Kings Council having notice they sent for the Lord Mayor and some of the Aldermen telling them what had been reported to them advising them to look well to the City and be in a readiness to suppress any Riotous Assembly which they promised to do and so departed Being arrived at Guild-Hall the Mayor Assembled the Court of Aldermen to consider what course was most convenient to be taken and after many debates concluded that every Alderman should take charge of his respective Ward and that notice should immediately be given to every Master to keep in their Servants till Nine of the Clock the next morning upon pain of his being imprisoned if he were found abroad and so they broke up After this Commandment in the Evening as Sir John Mundie one of the Aldermen was going home he found two young men in Cheapside playing at Cudgels and a great company standing about them whereupon he in the Kings Name commanded them to depart to their respective homes but they refusing he ordered one of the most resolute to be carryed to the Compter whereupon his Fellows came to his Rescue crying Out Prentices and Clubs whereupon the doors flew open on every side and out came a number of Armed Youths who altogether setting up a cry a great multitude gathered insomuch that the Alderman and his followers were forced to flye for by Eleven of the Clock that Evening there were no less then seven hundred gathered in a company of all sorts by whose Shouting they still increased there coming at least 300 more out of St. Pauls Church-yard who had no sooner joyned them but they went and broke up the Compters releasing not only those that were in Custody of their own gang but likewise a considerable number of other Prisoners and from thence they went to Newgate where entring by force they delivered the rest of their Companions without any regard to the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs who were come thither and made Proclamation in the Kings Name that every one should depart to their respective homes Then away they went to St. Martins-Le-Grand which at that time was Inhabited for the most part by Strangers where they were met by Sir Thomas Moor and others who advized them to desist but nothing was obeyed for whilst he was Treating with them the Strangers threw Stones Bats and scalding Water out of their Windows insomuch that several honest Persons were hurt and amongst the rest one Nicholas Downs a Serjeant at Arms who in a fury cry'd Down with 'um whereupon the Rabble broke up the doors and spoiled about 20 Houses not discerning between the Goods of Aliens and Natives From thence they went to Cornhill where they committed the like Outrages upon the Houses of French-men Lumbards and others that dwelt within the Gate of one Mr. Mutas called Green-Gate this Man being by Birth a Pickard and a great promoter of the Forraigners Trade and Manufacturies in England for which he had past doubt been slain had he fallen into the hands of the Rabble but finding him not they Riffled his House and carried thence things of great price And thus they continued to range from place to place till Eleven a Clock the next day which was the first of May but by Three of the Clock they were many of them dispersed upon which the Watches of the City being in a readiness several of them were Apprehended and committed Prisoners to the Tower Compters and Newgate but they were for the most part the young Fry the Knaves that had set them on with such Rich Bootys as they desired timely withdrawing themselves About 5 of the Clock the Earls of Shrewsbury and Surry Thomas Dokercie Lord of St. Johns and George Nevill Lord of Avergavenny with their Attendants came into the City having at least 600 Men in their company but whether for fear of their approach or otherwise the Rioters were all dispersed yet some of the Prisoners were brought before them in the Guild-Hall and Examined as also Dr. Bele for the Seditious Sermon he Preached upon which he was committed Prisoner to the Tower A while after the King issued out a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the Tryal of the Offenders directed to the Duke of Norfolk and divers other Lords as also to the Lord Mayor Aldermen Justices and others so that the Duke came into the City attended by 1300 Men in Arms and in the Guild-Hall Examined the matter yet upon Examination it did not appear that there had been any former Meetings but that it happened rather by chance unless what Lincoln had done therein by stirring up the peoples hatred against Strangers After this they went to the House of the Lord Chief Justice Fineux Seituate in Fleet-street there to adjudge and determine the matter where when the Judges and the Kings Council had well considered the Statute Anno Tertio of Henry the Fifth in Relation to the Breach of Leagues which they said was manifestly done by the abuse offered to Merchants Strangers and Reteiners to Forreign Ambassadors they concluded that all