when he had tryed all meanes in vaine and perceiued that neither intreaty nor reward could preuaile any thing at all to draw the mindes of the Conspirators from so great wickednesse to the consideration of peace presently returneth into the City After whose departure the Rebels conceiued as it was indeede which also they beganne to perceiue by little bowes in the hands of certaine men which fled vnto them out of the City that if they tarried any longer scattered and separated one from another their enterprise presently without any difficulty would be disappointed and they resisted To preuent this they thought it safest that all their cursed companies should be drawen together into one place Whereupon without delay they went to Eaton wood which when they had viewed thorowout and found no conuenient place to pitch their campe in by publique consent it was agreed vpon that from thence they should presently depart to Moushold And chiefly they did chuse that place wherein they might appoint seates for their wicked purposes and dennes for their robberies Therefore when this aduice liked them all and night before they were aware came on they sent messengers vnto the Maior to signifie vnto him that they intended without iniury to any man to passe thorow the City because that way was more easie and readier and therefore they request to doe it with his good leaue Hereunto the Maior answered that they were men of a lewd minde and enemies to the weale publique and therefore he would giue them no passe thorow the City Moreouer he rebuked them sharpely and with threatning words as men seditious and desirous to trouble and ouerturne all things that so striking a feare into them he might by all meanes possible terrifie them from so great mischiefe and cruelty Moreouer he gaue them to vnderstand that if they proceeded in their fury and rage it would shoâ—tly come to passe such desperat attempts would come to a fearefull end But this speech of the Maior was so farre from terrifying them as they departed from him more obstinate and confirmed in their resolution then when they came Thus Ketts Company disappointed of their hope and intention lurked all that night in Eaton wood In the meane season the Maior with his Brethren called a Councell as it behoued them for the Common-weale of their City There it was longtime and much debated as of them whose mindes were carryed into doubtfull opinions Some thought there is neede of expedition and that without delay they are to be put to flight For being desperately mad and raging if they be not in the beginning repressed they would bring a plague and destruction to the whole City Other thought otherwise that it is a matter of great danger deliberation and aduice and that this speede in resisting comming as from courage and magnanimity so it may seeme vncertaine and vnaduised whose whole commendation is in the euent Which course as it bringeth alwayes a doubtfull so for the most part a dolefull end And therefore they perswade to fortifie the City and appoint watch and ward carefully and to bestow the Citizens vpon the walles and other conuenient places of the City As for other things because by the Law of raising Force and Armes it is prouided that no Bands bee mustered without the commandement of the King therefore nothing to be attempted as they aduise but to expect his will and authority All men easily inclined to this sentence as held for the best proceeding from the matter in question and most safe against euery assault of Fortune And forthwith messengers are sent post with letters vnto the King wherein all things are carefully reported commanding that with as much speed as was possible they should be deliuered to the Kings Councell The next day after that was the eleuenth of Iuly when they could not obtaine liberty of the Maior to passe thorow the City and all hope therof being taken away it seemed best to them and they all agreed to goe ouer at Hailsdon Bridge which because they could not easily doe for the straightnesse of the Bridge the way whereof was too narrow for the drift of the Cattell and carriage they threw great store of wood into the riuer and so vpon the boughes and bodies of the trees heaped vp together men horse and cart might passe ouer the Riuer After this manner being gone ouer the night following they lodged at Drayton The next day they went towards Moushold casting downe on euery side hedges and diches Moreouer they pulled downe a Chappell of one Corbetts and brought a desolation and miserable ruine vpon all places Into this cursed rout of wretched men destroying and wasting all things and rushing into all places with headlong rage wheresoeuer they came Roger Woodhouse Knight and the brethren of the Appleyards fell into their company while vnwarily they went to see which way these Rebels came These they tooke and against their wills carried with them Then they tooke the hill called Saint Leonards hill right ouer against Norwich in which place the Earle of Surry had built a faire and sumptuous house which hath beneath it the maine Riuer running betwixt the City and hath on the East and South the wood and a little village called Thorpe but on the East and North Moushold Heath which containeth in length and breadth more then sixe miles Heere they placed the Chambers and as it were tents of their furies and lurking those thicke woods as dogs in their kennels they violated all Lawes of God and man Moreouer they entred that goodly house in all places thereof left the markes of their villanies And now whatsoeuer of the vilest and basest of the people were in any place these came running thither and all the dregges and filth of the people of Norfolke ioyned themselues to this Campe besides a great number out of Suffolke also of men dwelling in other places and Countries by the ringing of Belles and firing of Beacons câ—me stocking thither Moreouer they adde one mischiefe to another for this so horrible villany and desire seldome heard of of destroying all things they couer with a certaine shew of counterfeit holinesse for they got vnto them a certaine Minister of the City whom they appoint to say prayers Morning and Euening Furthermore they endeuour to ioyne to the societie of these outrages men any way excellent for Religion and Doctrine and for vertue and innocencie of life commendable Among whom was Robert Watson Preacher Thomas Cod Maior of Norwich Thomas Aldrich of Mangreene a man while he liued beloued of all men These three because they refused to be bound to their wicked agreements and trecherous Couenants against their willes they constrained to bee present at all their Consultations and to take vpon them the administration of all things with Kett the chiefe Rebell Which thing fel out marueilous wel for if it happened at any time which happened often that Kett or
and the Tower vpon Bishops Gates though surely through the goodnesse of God such was the lot of the people of Norwich at that time as the bullets flying euery where whether by chance or of set purpose or which rather I suppose by the rashnesse and ignorance of the Gunners which sometime happeneth leuelling somewhat too high mounted ouer the toppes of the houses without doing any great harme which except it had so come to passe with the continuall force of shot from those vile and wretched Rebels the houses being shattered and shaken the greatest part of the Citie had beene beaten downe and made euen with the ground in short time And without doubt in the opinion of all men a greater losse that day had come vnto all common affaires except Drury with his valour and slaughter of his souldiers not to bee despised making satisfaction for this inconuenience by putting the enemies to flight and chasing them had recouered the greatest part of the prouision they droue away Warwicke these things done after this manner some of the Gates of the Citie being broken and fallen downe and now ramperd vp againe placed vpon the Bridges and winding Streetes of the Parishes and Lanes diuers of his Garisons and appointed a great companie of Armed men at Bishops Gates and committed the charge thereof to my Lord Willoughby and so compassed and fortifyed all places as the same night hee cut off from the Enemy all entrance into the Citie Notwithstanding the next day the Rebels came ouer the Riuer called Contsford and confounded all things with a terrible fire and lamentable to behold For all the houses in two Parishes being burnt downe the fire so spred abroad as it got hold with an horrible flame vpon many of the Neighbour Parishes There was a certayne house wherein the Marchants of Norwich did vsually bestow their marchandize which they receiued daily from Yarmouth called the common Stathe Hereunto the Rebels set fire whereby within a moment the house it selfe and great store of Corne and much other commodities of many honest Marchants were vtterly burnt with fire and consumed The report goeth and it is not vnlikely that they intended to haue destroyed the whole City with fire and to that end threw fire vpon the roofes of many houses whereby they might bring to passe that while all men should runne to saue the fired houses the Rebels at the same instant casting downe the Rampires and opening all the Gates might distresse our men being scattered and helping one another hauing the fire on the one side and the sword on the other Which thing being wisely obserued both disappointed the deuice of the Rebels and brought our men in the minde to suffer the fire spreading euery where vpon the tops of the houses with a speedy wasting and consuming of all things neither would they so much as quench it in the very beginning But when in this sort vnhappily these things for the most part befell the Citizens God bringing alwayes one calamity on the neck of another great astonishment and sorrow strooke many mens mindes in somuch as languishing through despaire and feare they almost faynted now deuoide of all counsell These came vnto Warwick declaring vnto him that the City is great and all the Gates either broke open or burnt downe the number of men for the warre but few the power of the Enemie to be great and cannot be resisted They humbly besought him in regard of their safetie he would leaue the Citie not suffer the matter to be brought to vtter extremity Warwick as hee was a man alwayes of a great and inuincible courage valiant and mighty in Armes and thought scorne of the least infamie said What are ye so soone dismaid and is so great a mist on the sudden come ouer your mindes which hath taken away the edge of your courage that you would either desire this thing or thinke it can come to passe while I am aliue that I should forsake the City I will first suffer fire sword finally all extremity before I will bring such a stayne of infamy and shame either vpon my selfe or you With these words hee drew his sword so did the rest of the Nobles for they were all there gathered together and hee commanded after a warlike manner and as is vsually done in greatest danger that they should kisse one anothers sword making the signe of the holy Crosse and by an Oath and solemne promise by word of mouth euery man to binde himselfe to other not to depart from the City before they had vtterly banished the Enemie or else fighting manfully had bestowed their liues cheerfully for the Kings Maiestie While these things were in doing the Rebels broke in at another side of the City where our men little thought they could enter but when they were almost come to the Bridges they were speedily incountred by our men and with a mighty slaughter and many wounds were driuen back againe and retyred headlong the way they came But Warwick the better to take vtterly away from the Rebels all ability of entrance into the City commanded all the Bridges on euery side to bee cut on sunder yet after for certayne causes it was commanded otherwise and only that which is commonly called white Fryers bridge was broken downe All the rest were defended with good Souldiers And al places else and especially the gates because for the most part they were all either broken downe or else fired were deliuered in charge to men of courage and experienced in warlike affaires to bee defended vpon euery sudden occasion whereby it came to passe that al the desperate and night incursions of the Enemie were voide and of none effect The next day after which was the seuenth of the Kalends of September one thousand and forty Switsers valiant and notable Souldiers as the report goeth commonly came from London to Norwich These were ioyfully receiued of our men who testified their gladnesse and cheerfulnesse by many vollies of shot At the length being diuided by Parishes and houses and liberally courteously intertayned and inuited of the Citizens as it reuiued the hearts of our men and stirred them vp vnto a sure hope with confidence of performing the businesse well So it danted the hearts of the Enemies being now confounded with a new feare and astonishment at this doubtfull knowledge of their future ouerthrow In the meane season the seditious coueting nothing more then to sucke out the bloud of all good men whereof they had now drunke in their most greedy mindes some hope thought all the waight of the matter to consist in this if Warwicks Army might be put to flight at the first assault And surely as they forsooke the good and mighty God so againe being despised and reiected of him they gaue ouer themselues bond-slaues to the Deuill Who bewitching their mindes with an old wifes superstition brought to passe that being once
the Citie Let them breake in destroy cast downe cut off lay euen with the ground and make spoile of all things but let them know that God is the rewarder and the reuenger And let them tremble at length in the conscience of so great wickednesse for they shall no doubt ere long be seuerely punished which they haue iustly drawne vpon themselues by their furie and madnesse These things with speed returned to Kett and his companions in the Campe being much mooued hereat with a brainsicke rage as wild furies they came running downe the hill with a cruell and despitefull noise crying out And when they came neere the Gates they practized with all their forces to breake into the Citie but being driuen backe with pikes and arrowes they left that enterprise At that time all the Ordinance as was said before being placed in the meddowes beneath the Citie was spent vpon the enemie but for lacke of powder and want of skill in the Gunners to small or little purpose Yet many being shot with arrowes were wounded which when they fell thicke vpon the ground the beardlesse boyes of the Countrie whereof there were a great number and others of the dregges of the people men most filthy gathered them vp and carried them to the enemie And the minds of them all were so inflamed as the very naked and vnarmed boyes as though a certaine frenzie had bereaued them of the sense of vnderstanding running about prouoked our men with all reprochfull speeches There was added also to their importune cursed words an odious inhumane villany for with reuerence to the Readers one of these cursed boyes putting downe his hose and in derision turning his bare buttocks to our men with an horrible noise and out-cry filling the aire all men beholding him did that which a chast tongue shameth to speake much more a sober man to write but being shot thorow the buttocks one gaue him as was meete the punishment he deserued It is reported also that some hauing the arrowes sticking fast in their bodies a thing fearefull to tell drawing them out of the greene wounds with their owne hands gaue them as they were dropping with bloud to the Rebels that were about them whereby yet at the least they might bee turned vpon vs againe so great a desire was there almost in all ages of spoiling and so great a thirst of shedding bloud In the meane season when on the other side of the Citie a fearefull crie began To your weapon To your weapon Citizens if ye be men to your weapon the enemies are entred the Citie and all men on the sudden ran thither as is the manner of men in feare where especially the greatest tumult and noise is heard The Rebels beholding these things from the hill and perceiuing the Citizens thinne vpon the walles and before the Gates of the Citie resolued presently to enter the Citie where it was void of defence There the boyes of whom wee spake before and a great company of Country Clownes did hazard a thing not only marueilous to see but incredible to heare For the vnarmed multitude and others part with Clubbes and Swords others with Speares Staues and Iauelins as chance could arme euery man on the sudden cast themselues headlong into the Riuer that cōpasseth the Citie at the Bridge called Bishops Gates Bridge Who without feare swimming ouer and flying to the Gates with out-cries and most tumultuous noise strooke such a terrour in the minds of all men as there was none almost which thought not that day the day of doome both to their Citie and to themselues Therefore all for the most part being afraid and discomfited fled and as euery man could find the way to his house and the secret places thereof they creepe in leauing the Citie vndefended But the Rebels pulling off the barres of the Gates whatsoeuer Ordinance or instruments of warre they found in the Citie they carried with them into the Campe. There when some of our friends among them vpon the miserable sight of these things were strooken with sorrow and compassion and with lamentable voice and waterie eyes prayed God to turne these calamities from the Citie The Boyes and Country Clownes which stood round about mocked them calling them traitors and in most vile maner they were vexed and grieued with cursings and reuilings But the Gates after this sort set open as was said before when all things were disordered through the boldnesse and violence of the Rebels for they came to and fro out of the Campe into the City The Herald for as yet he was in the City neither was the last day appointed by the King for the multitude to lay downe their weapons yet past came with the Maior into the market place accompanied with a great number of Citizens There againe in the Kings name hee commandeth them to put off their armour to leaue the Campe euery one to depart home to his owne house and to vse reuerently and humbly the Kings mercy and clemency If they would so doe then they should be safe and free from all punishment Otherwise there is nothing to be looked for but grieuous torments bitter death and all extremity When hee had made an end of speaking the Rebels cryed out very arrogantly and fiercely saying Let him depart with a pestilence and on the deuils name with his idle promises He was mad that infusing such flattering speeches into their eares did beleeue that they being bewitched with such intising words would bee oppressed and circumuented in the end They detested such mercy and vtterly defied it as which in apparant offering a slender and vaine hope of impunity would cut off treacherously all safety The Herald perceiuing now all of them giuen ouer and as it were bondslaues to fury and villanie and that they could neither by the feare of punishment nor hope of impunity be brought from their intended wickednesse without anything done presently leaueth the City and returneth to the Court. Soone after whose departure the Rebels commanded Leonard Sutterton to bee brought before them that so they might lay him in chaines because hee had beene companion with the Herald in his iourney But Sutterton vnderstanding the matter fearing also lest the mad and turbulent people burning towards him with malice as they did towards all good men might deale cruelly with him hid himselfe priuily in the City amongst his friends and kindred Then Kett tooke the Maior Robert Watson William Rogers Iohn Homersone William Brampton and many others and commanded them to bee brought out of the City into the Campe and so to prison where chaines were put vpon them all and they were shut vp in Mount Surrey and there remained prisoners and in irons vntill the last day of this conspiracy at the length some of them were set at liberty others cruelly slaine While these and the like were tumultuously done in the Campe Kett perceiuing the matter was come
peraduenture any tumultuous rage should be raised in the night might easily with their helpe and without any great adoe be met withall and resisted Which surely was faithfully performed by the Captaines ouer hundreds And all the other souldiers watched in the Market place where gathering great heapes of wood together they set them on fire lest if any thing should happen on the sudden our men being hindred by reason of the darkenesse of the night and ignorance of the place might be inclosed vnawares by the practices of the enemies Edward Warner one of the company of the Gentlemen and at that time Gouernour ouer the souldiers commonly called Marshall gaue the Watchword And vnto Thomas Paston Iohn Clere William Walgraue Thomas Cornwallis Henry Bedingfield men of approoued valour and wisdome diuers parts of the Citie were disposed for the defence thereof which tooke their charge and with all their indouour performed their parts valiantly continually coursing from place to place incouraging and animating our mâ—n sometime with their words sometime with their countenance sometime with their owne trauell and labour And thus by their wise counsels they preuented the pestilent enterprises of the Rebels All things now done to their liking the Earle and all his company they onely excepted as was said before to whom the care and defence of the Citie was committed being wearied with three daies trauell purposed now to take their rest But when our men were in their sweete sleepe and in the dead of the night the Rebels as if they should presently breake into the Citie with a terrible peale of Ordinance and most fearefull with out-cries filled all places Although by Gods prouidence it came to passe in this businesse as the iron bullets discharged from the great Ordinance against the Citie flying continually ouer our heads did no great harme whether it were by reason of the violent force of the powder mounting them or the vnfaithfull hands of the Gunners of set purpose leueling somewhat higher then was requisite for there bee some that thinke the Gunners were corrupted with money for the nonst Which things verily while they were done after this manner though alwaies without hurt yet they were very often done of these vile and importune robbers which with their continuall rushings and horrible ecchoes brought such a terrour as our watchmen on the Walles and keepers of the Gates cried often To your weapons which while they did many times for the enemie neuer left raging the Earle which gaue charge that if the Rebels should tumultuously in the night attempt any thing against the Citie he should haue knowledge being awaked by one of the Captaines came presently into the Market place garded with his Nobles Gentlemen that were with him Afterward the better to prouide for the fewnesse and seldome returne of the souldiers and that the Citie might be the easier defended they tooke this Counsell that all the Gates that were on the other side of the City from the enemy and the breaches of the walles should be blocked vp supposing that so neither the souldiers should be wanting to desend the Walles if the Forces were drawne to a neerer straite and the Enemy without danger might be driuen from enterance into the City While matters began thus to bee ordered and were almost brought to an end The Rebels all at once as a violent streame came running from their dens with confused cries and beastly howlings and ran into the Citie There some goe about to set the Gates on fire and to hew them downe others clime vp vpon the Walles some swim through the Riuer many conuey themselues into the Citie by the lower places and breaches of the old Walles On the other side our men begin to practise all meanes against them and to resist with all violence and repulsed valiantly the enemy on euery side being already entred into the Citie and manfully driue them backe now comming and flocking thither and with Pikes Arrowes Swords and other instruments of warre put them to flight and brought the matter to that passe as the force of their incursions by little and little being broken and cut off they began somewhat to wauer and doubt of the matter But the fight was on both sides with most inflamed minds cruell fierce and bloudie while these by force if by any other way goe about to conuey themselues into the Citie and our men indeuour to put them from all entrance Therefore by the space almost of three howers they fought with most deadly hatred betweene themselues and the battell was performed more fiercely in diuers parts of the Citie then a man would beleeue or thinke euen with so dangerous and dolefull an euent as except the exceeding desire of our men to fight and the worthy valour of Paston Walgraue and the rest of the Gentlemen had remained inuincible that night without doubt had been vnto vs all the most miserable night that euer was For the minds of the Rebels were so set on fire and incensed and the desire to fight so exceeding as although they were fallen downe deadly wounded yet would they not giue ouer but halfe dead drowned in their owne and other mens bloud euen to the last gaspe furiously withstood our men Yea many also strooken thorow the brests with swords and the synewes of their thighes and hammes cut asunder I tremble to rehearse it yet creeping on their knees were mooued with such hellish furie as they wounded the buttocks and thighes of our souldiers lying amongst the slaine almost without life But our men perceiuing at the length the force of the enemie to abate and weaken rushed vpon them with such violence as they could no longer abide the fight nor stand to resist but their forces being ouerthrowne and beaten downe on euery side with a mightie slaughter they were chaced and driuen out of the Citie for three hundred fell in that fight and betooke themselues againe to their filthy dens and caues The battell ended few of our men were found dead but many wounded And now at the last being secure from all practices of the enemy the rest of that night that remained and there remained but little they gaue vnto their rest In the Morning assoone as it was day certaine of the Citizens signified vnto the Earle of Northampton that there were many of the Rebels in Ketts Campe whose furie was greatly abated and the heate of their rage quenched these easily and without any great adoe might bee perswaded that forsaking that cursed fellowship of desperate persons they would suffer themselues to be drawne to the remembrance of their duties and more wholsome counsell for they were wearie of the wickednesse they had long committed and there were now abiding at Pockthorpe Gates foure or fiue thousand men which waite for nothing else and desire nothing more then peace and pardon Which if now at the last might be offered vnto them by him they hoped that forth with they
rage openly And when they heard that Robert Ket a Tanner a man of stout rude of an impudent boldnesse and vnbridled violence had inclosed a peece of Common they ranne vnto him full of furie and madnesse and signified vnto him what aduice they had taken for the disturbance of the peace of their Countrie and do earnestly intreat him that whatsoeuer of the Common feede he had inclosed the same he would presently their Countrie and they requiring it yeeld to common profit the hedges and ditches being throwne downe and made euen with the ground Ket as one burning with the same flames of furie wherewith these were set on fire easily suffering himselfe to bee drawne into this cursed fellowship answered That hee was ready and would be ready at all times to do whatsoeuer not only to represse but to subdue the power of Great men and that he hoped to bring to passe that as they of their painefull labour so these of their pride should repent ere long And further declareth many horrible things which of late yeeres they haue indured many wrongs and miseries wherewith they had been vexed and afflicted and wiâ—â—eth them to bee of good cheere for this so great seueritie so exceeding couetousnesse and so seldome heard of cruelly in all sorts seemeth to be hated and accursed of God and men And promiseth moreouer to reuenge the hurts done vnto the Weale publike and common Pasture by the importunate Lords thereof And that he would doe his indeuour that what lands soeuer he had inclosed should againe be made common vnto them and all men and that his owne hands should first performe it Adding moreouer at the last that he would neuer be wanting to their good and that they should haue him not only a companion but a Captaine and in the doing of so great a worke not a fellow but a Leader Authour and principal not to be present onely at all their consultations but alwayes president These wretched men and vilest of all that euer liued being set on fire with these words when with thankfull clamors they had compassed him about on the sodaine as it were gathering an assembly of men into a certaine field of Ketts next adioyning to the towne of Windham all the multitude flocked thither And as they had decreed there they threw downe the ditches and made them euen with the ground which when they had done as vnbridled horses lusting after liberty which in the errour of their conceite they fained vnto themselues partly through their owne boldnesse and trusting to this vaine successe of things partly through the incouragement and cryes of their Captaine being set on fire as with burning lights it is incredible to tell with what flames of fury to the disturbance of our peace and ouerthrow of our Common-wealth they burned From thence they came to Hetherset which is a village not farre from Windham and there they forced into the fields of one Flowerdew filled vp the ditches brake downe the hedges and laid open the Inclosures At these stirres a great contention and altercation arose when Flowerdew with griefe and anger much moued had rebuked Kett and laid all the fault vpon him as the cause of that vnruly and rebellious rout calling him often wretched man the baine of his Countrey and Captaine of Fugitiues And by this meanes as much as lay in him their villainy was resisted and their enterprises some what abated who perswaded with all his skill that they should dutifully lay downe their weapons which vndutifully they had taken vp with which words and deeds of Flowerdew they being more vehemently incensed when compassing Kett about they had filled the ayre with cryes and complaints and had incouraged one another at length they implore and require of him the true performance of that helpe whereunto he bound himselfe of late Hee as one that put all confidence of the future villanie in the euent of this present mischiefe supposing also it were not good for him to prolong the time any longer exhorteth them to be of good courage and to follow him the author and reuenger of their liberty Affirming hee had not forsaken that charge which the Common-wealth had put vpon him neither was any thing more deare vnto him then their welfare which he preserred before all things else for the which hee would spend cheerefully both goods and life the dearest things in their account The report of these most vile and vngracious words gathered together all lewd and desperate persons from all parts insomuch as on the sodaine great routs of seruants and Runnagates came flocking into Ketts Campe. With which wicked instruments of mischiefe he being now garded when hee had left at Hetherset and Windham the markes of his lewdnesse and had wasted in a manner all places wheresoeuer hee came the tenth day of Iuly they came to a place neere Eton wood Vnto this wood are neere adioyning Common pastures of the Citty of Norwich called the Towne Close in which place many needy and poore mens Neat are pastured and a common Heardsman appointed keeper of them which by custome receiued of the owners an halfe-penny weekely for a beast Vnto those pastures ditched and hedged in for the safer keeping and lest the cattell should stray abroad came certaine of the scumme of the City the day after the Rebels came towards Norwich with violent rage and fury complaining that they were common pastures as they were indeede and that they would not suffer any longer common pasture to bee inclosed and were carried with so blinderage from all iudgement and reason as that which by the prouidence and industry of their betters was inclosed to common profit they would pull downe with their owne hands They had now scarce thrown downe the ditch in the vpper part of the Close when many pestilent persons into whose eares a rumour of this pernicious conspiracy came escaping secretly out of the City and ioyned with Ketts souldiers Which men were led hereunto the rather because these wretched conspirators pretended alwayes the benefit of the Common-wealth and care of common profit to couer their wickednesse withall When tidings of these things was brought into the City the Maior who at that time was Thomas Codde fearing at the strangenesse of the matter thought good out of hand to prouide against this inconuenience and to labour that these tumults if by any meanes it could bee brought to passe might be repressed in the beginning Whereupon calling the chiefe of the Citty together namely the Aldermen which alwayes are with the Maior in the counsell to appease these tumults he goeth with them into Ketts Campe. There he found them all wickedly occupied giuing themselues to ryot and excesse And first he allured them by money and fairer promises to leaue off their enterprise and euery man to depart quietly to his owne house They notwithstanding continued still their purpose throwing downe whatsoeuer was inclosed The Maior
any of the principal Conspirators as they were prone and headlong to all villany stirred vp by the mad multitude to goe about any wicked and vngracious worke which might tend in conclusion to the spoile either of the Citie the Fields or Townes neere the City the wise and careful diligence of these men often hindred such pestilent enterprises Although Kett set on fire with mischiefe and spurred forward by the rude furies of his companions was wont sometimes to send foorth Commandement as from authoritie of prescript formes which were called Ketts writs whereunto sometime this importunate beast abused the names of these honest men The Coppie of which writs followeth WE the Kings Friends and Delegates giue authoritie to all men for the searching out of beasts and all kind of victuall to be brought into the Campe at Moushold wheresoeuer they find it so as no violence or iniurie bee done to any honest or poore man charging all men by the authoritie hereof that as they wish well vnto the King and the afflicted Common wealth they be obedient to vs his Delegates and vnto them whose names are vnderwritten Robert Kett. Then in order other followed for the number of Delegates were many for besides the chiefe of this wicked societie they chose two out of euery hundred and there were sixe and twenty hundred and with these and the like Warrants many worthy and Great persons whom the furie and rage of the common people made guiltie were arested And many as though they had been guiltie of great crimes were led away to Moushold and there shut vp in hold and prison Moreouer the ditches and hedges of common Pastures inclosed by the authoritie of the same Commission were throwne downe and in diuers places many were charged to be assistant and helpers in these tumults And all these things were done these three the Maior Watson and Aldrich not only holding their peace and winking at the matter but also in shew sometime consenting being often compelled to serue the time whereby they might relieue their Country tost to and fro in the deepe seas of sedition and discord lest if not resisting at all the aduersarie and cruell common people should haue perceiued it and so they should haue brought present death to themselues and destruction to their Countrie which then without doubt if they had openly resisted or plainely denied as farre as man could perceiue such was their rage and vnbridled madnesse had vtterly perished ouerthrowne with robberies burning and all kind of common calamitie In the meane season the Citie of Norwich carefull of this estate of things with an vncertaine hope and continuall expectation for reliefe remained doubtfull of these sturres for hitherto no answere was brought vnto them from the King neither vnderstood they what the Councell had decreed to be done and the Citizens without commandement durst attempt nothing but remained in the Citie still looking for the Kings authoritie And it chanced at that time many obscure and vile persons were in armes in sundry places as bound by a common consent of villany they had conspired to teare in sunder the bowels of the Common wealth for although the fury of rude and beastly men did much more and cruelly rage in the Countie of Norfolke then any where else yet the same mortall plague of destroying all things was spred abroad almost through all parts of the land Not onely Norfolke but Buckingham Oxford Surrey Essex Kent Cambridge-shire and many other places were troubled with the like sturres Whereby it came to passe that when all the counsels care and studie was occupied in quenching the flames of so great seditions lest if they had not gone presently against the fire all the Common-wealth had burned they came somewhat later to represse these Norfolke Commotions then they wished In the meane while sedition groweth and loseth nothing but daily increaseth in so much that of beastly men in Kets Campe there were almost sixteene thousand and these went about to fortifie themselues with all meanes of defence Kett being their Captaine and they brought from diuers parts prouision for the warres and al kind of weapons into the Campe. Moreouer great store of Gun-powder and Gunnes of all sorts a great number To the obtaining whereof they ran into all places and entred the houses of Worshipfull persons and Gentlemen robbing them and whatsoeuer cattel they found in the field money in the houses or corne in the barnes that vngodly and wickedly they tooke away yea the owners looking vpon them and carried it into the Campe. And many when after this sort they had wasted powled and emptied all places and left miserable monuments euery where of their villanies and made a discomfiture of all things a great part of the prey was priuily turned another way and thrust into holes and corners and euery one heaped vp by stealth for himselfe as much as their dennes could hold This being knowne and brought before Kett and the other Gouernours for so would they bee called they being desirous aboue all to prouide against this inconuenience by common consent they agreed that some place should be chosen where they might sit to minister Iustice. Now there was an old Oke with great spred boughes this they laid ouer with raftes and balkes acrosse and made a roofe with boordes where for the most part the people standing round about they determine and decree of complaints and quarrels if any were done to any as the cause required and sometime they binde with straighter bands the insolent and ouer-much greedy couetousnesse of some by violent taking all away This Oke was called the Oke of Reformation whereunto at the first none came but Kett and the Gouernours of the which some and among these the Maior of the City especially Aldrich and others of whom we spake before against their wils appointed in this number contended vehemently by all meanes possible as much as was in them to restraine the needy and hungry cōmon people from this importune liberty of rifling and robbing To the which end they went often vpon the Oke and with their graue speeches perswaded that there might be at the length if not an end yet they would prouide some meanes against such rapine and so generall violence in all excesse There were besides also other graue Persons and good Diuines who endeuoured by all meanes possible study and diligence to reduce the tumultuous people hauing now cast off all feare of Law and glutting themselues in all villany from robbery and burning wherewith they had confounded all things vnto the consideration of peace And these in the day preaching and in the night watching armed in the City omitted nothing that belonged vnto them as they were faithfull Ministers or lay vpon them as they were good Subiects At this time among the rest the wisedome faithfulnesse and integrity of D. Matthew Parker was notable a worthy man and euery way adorned with vertue then Professor
him presently saying They vnderstood he had three or foure good and able Geldings which might serue the King therefore they willed him that immediatly after dinner they should bee readie for they were to vse them presently Hereunto Matthew answered little or nothing but called vnto him speedily a Smith and taking the shooes off the feet of some of them he caused them to be pared to the quicke The other he willed to bee anointed with greene Coperasse all ouer as though they had been tired with ouermuch trauell and dressed with medicine The Rebels supposing the matter to be euen so indeed for anon after as they were led to pasture seeing some swadled about the feete and other anointed with greene medicine they left off their purpose Mathew not long after going out at the gates as it were to walke about two miles from the Citie had his horse brought him to Kringelford bridge where hee tooke their barks and began his iourney towards Cambridge But in the way what he saw what he heard what furies and villanies by the seditious which met him in his iourney hee beheld to speake of all were an infinite labour Neuerthelesse by the goodnesse of God when hee had escaped all these garboyles and popular hurliburlies at the length being free from so great dangers he came safe to Cambridge The speech therefore of this worthy man as an Oracle from heauen was after this manner wickedly neglected and despised of most vile and beastly persons forsaken not onely of all health but of all hope which although at that time blind and headlong through fury and madnes as deadly and to so great meanes of recouering their libertie an enemie and dangerous they despised and refused yet without all doubt from the most dolefull chances which insued the horrour of Gods vengeance possessed all their soules For as we said before hee was the minister of this heauenly voyce that quenching as it were so great a fire of mischiefe in their mindes they would speedily repent lest the impiety of Treason spreading further should at length become lamentable to their Countrey and in the end sorrowfull and deadly to themselues for all things that were diuinely and wittily spoken by him as though they had beene fitted by destiny to the people of Norfolke came to passe And the Rebels falling from one villanie to another receiued at the last condigne punishment for their so great furies In the meane time the Rebels of whom we spake before thirsting after the goods and fortunes of Great men had filled all places with robbery theft Being now satiate and glutted with the spoyles they turned at length from the desire of the prey to violence and cruelty going through all the Country of Norfolke threatning terrour and perill to all that would not stand on their part And now the worshipfull and Gentlemen in all places whithersoeuer their rage carryed them being taken and brought into the Castle it caused such a generall feare vpon all men that many forsaking house and inheritance and changing their apparel lest being perceiued in their flight iourney they might be knowne escaped by obscure by-pathes and fearing all extremity from the Enemy hid themselues in Caues of the earth and thicke woods And many hauing horse and cart were constrayned to serue and if they had none were compelled to get elsewhere And vnto these was commanded that bestowing their labour and bearing their owne charges they should carry corne and victuall to the Campe at Moushold To whom except they presently obeyed was threatned the destruction of their houses and fields and violence to their wiues and children Moreouer what worshipfull persons and Gentlemen soeuer they tooke and they tooke many them they bound surely with cords as though in all villanie they had exceeded themselues Many were deliuered to be kept in Norwich and some committed to the prison commonly called the Guild Hall others to the Castle Some shut vp in the Earle of Surryes house as theeues and felons Yea heereunto it came that if at any time they wanted money which they wanted often they compelled the Maior of the City out of the common treasure alwayes to supply their necessity Whose importune demands if the Maior had denied without all doubt they had emptied the treasury and set the house on fire and brought a miserable plague and destruction vpon all mens goods And surely they often entred wicked counsell for the rifling of the City and the thing had beene done vndoubtedly if by the industry and diligence of the Maior they had not beene alwayes put by their hope and indeuour Notwithstanding many Gunnes and much Artillery and instruments of warre whatsoeuer could bee found in the City they tooke and carryed away fearing lest any thing might happen heereafter at any time against them and carryed them into the Campe charging moreouer all the Citizens they should bee ready at the first call to defend and helpe them if neede require Crying out that they were the Kings friends and being vniustly oppressed had taken vpon them the defence of the Lawes and of the Kings Maiesty And not contented with this they abused the Kings name to serue their villanie and wretchednesse Moreouer there were certaine Commissions sent from the Kings Maiesty giuing authority vnto diuers worshipfull and Gentlemen whose names were inserted in the Commissions with commandement carefully to preuent the dangers that might insue to the Common-wealth and to prouide that these sturres and commotions might be repressed in the beginning When they had gotten these letters putting out the names of the men of Worship they caused their owne names to be written in and pulling off the Kings Seales set them to foâ—ged Commissions of their owne and setting them vp in open places abused the ignorant people that knew not this great deceite And now they were come to such rage and madnesse as the fury and force of so great tumults could not be restrained neither by the gouernours nor yet by Kett himselfe the arch and chiefe Rebel Moreouer they held them for enemies not onely which refused to ioyne with them in their villanies but many good Citizens which to saue themselues fled out of the City with their wiues and children they accounted enemies Who being driuen out of their houses through the feare of so great danger when they durst remaine no longer any where wandered heere and there separated and dispersed by the meanes of this generall rage and violence And with exceeding lamentation and many teares bewayled the iniquity of those times the miserable condition of their Countrey Moreouer they threaten the City with fire and burning insomuch as they which remained in it looked for nothing else but the ouerthrow and ruine of all things In the Campe was an horrible and lamentable fate of things for when there met together a great multitude of theeues and bankrouts from all parts of England whome the hope of
followed him and forsaking their former purpose and casting off their weapons betooke themselues to the Kings mercie All these with the Maior and Thomas Aldrich went into the Citie and forthwith the Maior commanded the gates to be shut especially Bishops Gates because from thence directly except speedily by this aduice they had beene preuented the Rebels might breake into the City Moreouer all the Gentlemen of whom we spake before that were throwne into the Castle by Ketts company were loosened from their bonds and imprisonment and set at liberty and were admitted into Counsell with the Maior and his Brethren and their aduice required which way best the assault of the Enemie might be let and hindred Againe they deuised for the defence of the City lest by the breaking in of the Rebels and licentiousnesse of the Souldiers all should goe to hauock It was thought best in conclusion that the City should be defended on euery side the Gates walles kept watch and ward to be had all enterance to be shut vp whereby the meanes of transporting victuals being cut off and taken away on euery side the mindes of the Rebels being strooken through want of victuall and weary of the Warres might faint at length Of these things which they long time debated betweene themselues deliberating and consulting without Iudges there came messengers vnto them from the Gates trembling and bringing fearefull tidings that many of the Citizens had bound themselues to the fellowship of this villany and that some of them had let in many of Ketts Campe into the City When this great and sudden danger vnlooked for came to passe and the Rebels were now entred the City all things immediately seemed to goe to ruine feare possessed the minds of all Request was made therefore and it was easily obtayned of the Magistrates of the City that the Gentlemen should bee shut vp in the Castle as before lest peraduenture while they might be seen at liberty in the City and free from bonds wherewith of late they had beene holden the mindes of the Rebels full of fury and rage should by that occasion be stirred vp to murther and bloudshed Therefore they were all called for and againe committed to close prison Notwithstanding it was afterward vnderstood that the enemies were gone againe out of the City into the Camp the same way they came When this danger was ouer the Maior and his Brethren perceiuing the Conspirators to plot on euery side the death and destruction of men and goods they gaue themselues wholy to study for the preseruation of the Citie Wherefore ten of the greatest peeces of Ordinance were planted against the enemies in the ditch called the Castle ditch and well placed for the defence of the Citie if any force and assault should bee made Moreouer they appoint watch and ward especially in those places where through tract of time the walles were weake and decayed Who were commanded forthwith to remayne in those places that if any danger should happen from the enemy in the night they might presently with stones Pikes and other prouision bee driuen from the walles and Gates of the City The rest of the multitude were commanded that all of them armed should bee ready in the Market place and crosse streets of the City for euery occasion And because it seemed that the Ordinance whereof wee spake placed in the Castle ditch and ruines of the walles did not much annoy the enemy not bring any defence vnto the City At the cōmandement of the Maior they were all brought into the plaine speedily bestowed in the Meddowes which lye to the lowest part of the City and all the night following for the most part was spent in fearefull shot on both sides The next day the Rebels perceiuing of all that tumult in the night more feare then hurt to the Citie because the bullets from their Ordinance mounting ouer the City had done no harme brought all the Ordinance they had from the Hill into the Plaine and planting them at the bottome of the Hill beganne to assault the City afresh but because soone after the Campe beganne to be distressed for victuall that they might more commodiously being prouision from the places neere adioyning they agree to make truce with the Citizens for a time Therefore they ordayne to this office as Ambassadours one Iames Williams and Rafe Sutton beastly men and of the common people of the City of Norwich the basest These came presently from the Camp to the City Gates with a Banner of Truce in their hands and by the permission of the Citizens were brought to the Maior and his Brethren and are said to speake after this manner OVr Captaine Kett and his Souldiers intreateth of this City and of you the Maior and your Brethren Peace Truce for a few dayes whereby he may haue liberty as the custome was of late to transport victuall through the City which thing except yee grant he will breake in by force into the City and threatneth destruction by fire and sword HEreunto the Maior answered that they were most wretched Traytors cladde with all disloyaltie and villany seldome heard of Therefore he would yeeld nothing vnto their uniust demands neither was it lawfull for him if he would especially vnto them the vilest men that euer were borne That they had committed so many and such intolerable villanies whereby they deserued not only to be shut out of the Citie but also if it could be raced out of the nature of mankinde That they despised the Kings Maiestie wasted the Countrey destroyed the City of Norwich almost on euery side had branded an euerlasting note of reproch for villany and treason vpon themselues and their posteritie all places through force and cruelty polluted troubled vexed and destroyed Notwithstanding doe they intreat to be admitted into the Citie to be Citizens to be partakers of the benefits thereof and diuine exercises And doe they intreat at the last that their want might be supplyed What doe they not repent of the wickednesse whereto they haue vowed themselues What not so much as are ashamed Verily I know not whether are more wicked they that haue done these things or more shamelesse they that make request for them Doe they hope of the Maior And of the same Maior whom of late they made to suffer the shame of imprisonment Of this City which they wish ouerthrowne by the foundation Of the people of Norwich vpon whom they haue brought violence and the danger of Warre on euery side Corne and victuall to be ministred vnto them as meate to the furies What madnesse were this at length to see Let them be packing therefore let them be packing and tell Kett that wicked Captaine of these outragious villanies these things The Citizens of Norwich will obey the Kings Maiesty not Traytors to their Countrey and most cruell beasts And that hee esteemeth little of the dangers and feares they intend against
of them to London But the Citizens loden and ouer-whelmed with so many euils when all places were now filled with Enemies fearing violence and murther and all hostilitie which is accustomed to be done of Enemies to Cities ouer-come and all hope of redresse being taken away fled out of the Citie All mens hearts for the most part were smitten with so great feare as many through sorrow and anguish hauing their minds alienated from the regard of their goods left their wiues and children and all their possessions in the power of the Enemie But many when all mens conditions were lamentable followed euery man his owne hope and aduice for whatsoeuer gold siluer plate or good household stuffe they possessed that they hid in Priuies Welles and Pits digged in the ground Sorrow and lamentation occupied the Citie on euery side And the crying of Women and Children mixed with the shouting of the Enemies cracking of the fire and fall of the houses filled all places with an horrible noyse For the Rebels after the departure of the Earle of Northampton threw fire vpon the tops of the houses which did flye from house to house with fearefull flame and from one street to another which in small time consumed a great part of the Citie For all the houses in Holme-street were consumed with fire on both sides thereof Also the Hospitall dedicated to the reliefe and maintenance of the poore diseased Moreouer Bishâ—â—s Gates Pock Thorpe Magdâ—lyn Bearstreet Gates and diuerâ— other buildings besides in many places were consumed with fire But it happened fitly by Gods speciall prouidence that there fell great store of raine at that time Whereby the fire being speedily quenched did not so generally preuaile as the Enemie wished Moreouer the Rebels entred the houses of the rich men in the Citie and rifled them and after they had emptied them set some of them on fire and committed so great and sundry examples of cursed cruelty as euery where it seemed at this time not men indued with reason were entred the City but wilde beasts vnder the shape of men Whence manifestly appeareth how lamentable and miserable the state of the City was at thiâ— time when nothing was seene or heard but lamentation and weeping of those that were vexed and troubled and contrary the reioycing of the Enemy the weeping of women the crying of men and the noise of them that ran about the streets then the clashing of weapons the flames of the burning the ruines and fall of houses and many other fearefull things which that I may not make lesse in speaking I willingly let passe which so filled with â—orâ—our not onely the mindes and eyes of the beholders but strooke with incredible sorrow the hearts and eares of all that heard it The City therefore taken after this sort by the conspirators set on fire spoyled and wasted when desolation occupied all places euery where except the enemies for they that remained in the City shutting their gates and doores hid themselues in the most secret places of their houses The Maiors Deputy alone as it were reserued to behold the miserable spectacle of his Counties downefall void of all aduice and helpe when he beheld from the vpper part of his house all things consumed with fire and ruinated supposing the enemies as they had brought destruction vpon the houses would not long after offer violence and death vnto men shutting his doores kept himselfe within his house But the power of the enemies in the meane time waxing great and gathering a band of men together they broke into the City at Saint Augustines gates and all of them being armed with clubs and such weapons as euery mans lotte could afford him they came running vnto the house of the Maiors Deputie and assayed to breake vp the doores at length when they began to set them on fire hee being greatly afraide for all his seruants were fled from him himselfe alone vnshut the gates whom presently they tooke and plucked off his gowne which hee vsed at that time calling him Rebel and threatning him a most shameful death except he would tel them in what place the Earle of Northampton was hidden when he answered They were all departed All of them tooke that answer with great indignation and outcryes most tumultuously rushing with all violence into his house they searched furiously all the corners thereof Afterward turning to the prey they depart loaden with the spoyle But many being restrained partly by reason of money and other things which they receiued of the Deputy and partly by the speech of a certaine person which said vnto them such doings were intolerable yea theft and villanie by all kind of punishment to be reuenged and repressed brought againe their packes and burthens which they had carryed away before and laide them in the shops and warehouses Neuerthelesse many of the Citizens into whose houses the Rebels had entred onely vnder pretence of seeking the Earle of Northampton were vtterly robbed of all that euer they had Chiefly they spoyled their houses which were gone out of the City proclaiming them Rebels and open enemies to the Kings Maiesty and therefore their goods to bee confiscate Notwithstanding some of the Citizens tooke order there should be deliuered to the furious multitude bread drinke and all kinde of victuall whereby it came to passe that the miserable and hungry people being pacified they were somewhat stayed from the rage of spoyling Neuerthelesse very many vpon this sodaine calamity sustained great losse and iniury and were so ouercharged with such great expenses that euer after while they liued and many liue at this day in their houshold affaires fared the worse In the meane season the remembrance of future times as it seemed came into the mindes of the Rebels Wherefore being now turned from violence they beginne to thinke of their owne safety therefore they commanded the Maiors Deputy and the chiefe of the City that watch and ward should be kept from house to house by the Citizens euery day at all the gates of the City which if they shall refuse to doe they threaten death and grieuous torments Moreouer in the Temple which is fearefull to tell in the Temple of the great God the Rebels as oft as it rained placed the tents of their furies And so farre grew their malapertnesse boldnesse and desire of ouerturning of things as neither the speeches of the wise nor the feare of Gods vengeance nor the teares and lamentations of women could remoue them from their villanies For the women when they saw the slaughter of harmelesse naked men oft times offered themselues in the streets intreating them to haue compassion vpon their Countrey vpon them their husbands and children and remember that they were men themselues begotten of men and that they had reuenged themselues sufficiently vpon those for whose cause they took vp Armes that they would at last cast a bridle vpon their rage so should they