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
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
suffered the Citizens to depart to their respective Habitations The morrow after there were sent into London from the King the Lord Latimer Sir Nicholas Bond Sir Simon Burly and Sir Richard Adderbury to give them a farther Confirmation of the Kings affection towards them and how that he had spoken to the Duke of Lancaster in their behalfs and that he had submitted himself in all things to the King touching their Cause and that it was the Kings pleasure they should do the like and then he would do his endeavour that an Honourable Agreement might be made on the behalf of the City When the Citizens heard this Message they were not well pleased by reason they knew that the King being young must do what was done by Substitutes and that the Duke being powerful at Court would not miss of finding favour yet notwithstanding they promised to submit themselves if so be the afore-mentioned Knights would undertake upon their Oath of Fidelity and Knighthood that they should not suffer either in Body or Goods which they consenting to the Chief Citizens went with them to Sheene where the young King was with his Mother the Duke of Lancaster and a great number of Nobility when the King knew they were come he caused them to be brought before him and in the full Assembly so handled the matter that the Duke and they entred into an intire Amity and perpetual Friendship and after that the Duke behaved himself so Courteously towards the Common people that all their former hatred was turned into Love and Good-will towards him And so much of the Citizens Reconciliation with the Duke of Lancaster and now to my purpose In the 15th Year of the Reign of King Richard the Second Anno. 1392. the Parliament then Sitting and not having concluded upon any speedy way of raising money the King to supply his present Occasions sent to the City to borrow the Summ of a 1000 pounds the which they not only uncourteously refused to lend him but likewise beat and grievously wounded a Lumbard who offered to supply him with the like Summ of which the King being advertized was greately displeased with the Citizens whereupon calling together most of the Peers and Noble men of his Kingdom he complained to them of the froward dealings of the Londoners and desired them to take notice of the Affront they had put upon him When the King had told them his mind the Lords after a short Conference about the matter gave Counsel That it was not only Expedient but very requisite that the Insolent Pride of those presumptious Persons should be speedily Repressed The Citizens of London as it appeareth in those days using their Authority to the utmost had devised and set forth divers Orders and Constitutions to abridge the Liberties of Forreigners that came to the City to utter their Wares which likewise caused great Complaints against them They in many particulars as some Writers affirm having stretched beyond their Bounds all which served but as Fuel to increase the Kings displeasure against them And now because I will omit nothing that may occasion any Objection It is not amiss to give the Reader another Relation though different from the former how the City fell into the Kings displeasure though it was Written by an unknown Author and therefore of what Credit I must leave to the judgement of the Reader many having rejected it as Fabulous and affirm that what is before mentioned was the real occasion that which was pretended being as followeth viz. That one of the Bishop of Salisbury's Servants meeting a Bakers Boy in Fleet-street took out of his Basket a Loaf and utterly refused to restore it again for which when the Boy became Clamorous he broke his head and gave him many blows upon his body which the Inhabitants perceiving they came together and would have taken the Bishops man in order to have conveyed him to Prison but that his Fellow-Servants hearing in what danger he was came to his Rescue and carried him by force into the Bishops house which was at that time in Fleet-street whereupon the multitude increasing they threatned to pull down the house unless the Offender was delivered up and had effected it had not the Mayor and Sheriffs with considerable number of Halberts come in time to appease them and oblige them to depart every man to his own House And that of this the Bishop being advertized made his Complaint to the King and for that cause says this unknown Author was it that the Citizens fell into the Kings displeasure but by this his conclusion it proved fictitious for he tells us that the Cities Charter upon that cause being taken away it was restored by the Intercession of Richard Gravesend and Bishop of London In acknowledgement of which the Citizens for a long time after repaired once a year to his Grave in the Middle Isle of St. Pauls Church c. But that is utterly false for at that time Robert Braybrook was Bishop of London the aforesaid Gravesend having been Bishop in the Reign of Edward the First Anno. 1303. almost 90 years before this time after whom succeeded him in the Bishoprick Ralph Baldock Gilbert Seagrave Richard Newport Stephen Gravesend Richard Went worth Ralph Stratford Michael Norbrook Simon Sudbury William Courtney and Robert Braybrook who sate Bishop 1381 until the year 1403. Moreover The place of Burial in St. Pauls whereunto the Mayor and Citizens of London were wont to repair was of William who sat Bishop of London in the time of William the Conqueror and of him purchased the Charter of the said City Having thus as I think cleared all Objections that might have been started as to the beginning of the Feud I shall proceed to relate what happened e're the Citizens could appease the Kings Anger After the Lords had given their opinions as is before recited the King commanded that the Mayor Sheriffs and several of the most wealthy Citizens should be Arrested and brought to Nottingham where on the 11th of June in the year aforesaid John Hind the Mayor was Deposed and sent to Windsor-Castle as likewise the Sheriffs one of them being sent to Wallingford-Castle and the other to Odam-Castle and the other Citizens to several adjacent Prisons there to continue till such time as the King with his Councel should determine what should be done in that Affair The Council had not long consulted about it before they Unanimously consented and determined that from thenceforth the Londoners should not chuse nor have any Mayor but that the King should appoint one of his Knights to Govern the City immediately under him and that their Priviledges should be Revoked their Liberties Disanull'd and their Laws Abrogated all which was accordingly done the King immediately appointing for Warden or Governour Sir Edward Darlingrug Impowering him not only to Rule the City but to see the Administration of Justice done in all Cases being stiled Lord Warden of the City and so continued for
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
the space of Ten days When the King entering the City it being the 1 of July in the 16th year of his Reign he discharged him of the said Office and placed in his stead one Sir Baldwin Radington a right Circumspect and Discreet Gentleman who knew how not only to please the Kings mind but also to retain the good Will of the Citizens by putting them in hopes of the Kings Favour and in time to regain what by their unadvized rashness they had lost as in the end it happened For at the Incessant Intreaties and unwearied Endeavours of several Noble Persons and especially the Duke of Glocester the King began to relent and hearken to the offered Submission of the Citizens fully determining with himself to abate of the Rigor lately imposed especially when he called to mind the Honour and Service they had formerly done him upon several accounts and the great Gifts they had bestowed upon him whereupon he sent for divers of the Chief Citizens to come to him he then keeping his Court at Windsor to shew by what Charters and Grants they held their Liberty Priviledges and peculiar Laws as well the new as the old that so he might determine by the Advice of his Council which should be restored and which abrogated Hereupon when the said Liberties and Priviledges were laid forth to the view of such Persons as were appointed by the King to take them into consideration after a due Examination some were Ratified and Tollerated and others utterly Abrogated and taken away Neither could they for the present recover the Person or Dignity of their Mayor nor obtain the Kings intire favour till they had satisfied the Damages and Injury by them done either to the King or his People and whereas the King had been at great Charges in preparing Forces to Chastize them as he had absolutely determined had they not submitted themselves to his mercy such Charges as he had been at were expected to be payed by the City the Citizens therefore went and in a most Humble manner tendered again their Submission offering as a Recompence and Satisfaction of their Trespasses 10000 pounds a great Summ in those days but they were at that time sent home and a certain day appointed for their appearance not being given in the least to understand what they must pay till the King had advised with his Council about the matter at length at the instance of the Nobility the King was content to pardon all Offences past but first the Citizens were told that the King intended to come from his Mannor of Sheene to London and then undoubtedly upon knowledge had of their good meaning and Loyal Intentions for the future they should obtain his favour The Citizens having received this welcome news did not only prepare themselves to meet him and present him with Gifts of great value but also to adorn deck and trim their City with sumptuous Pageants rich Hangings and gorgeous Furniture in all points as they were wont at a Coronation At the day appointed 3 or 400 of the chief Citizens on Horse-back all in their Liverys presented themselves before him upon the Heath on this side Sheene and in humble wise craved pardon in the name of all the Citizens for their past Offences and besought him to take his way to his Pallace of Westminster through the City of London which request the King granted and so held on his Journey till he came to London-bridge where he was presented with a fair White Steed Saddled Bridled and traped in Cloth of Gold parted with Red and White As likewise to the Queen was given a White Palfrey Saddled Bridled and traped as the former both which were thankfully accepted and so both the King and Queen passing forwards entred the City prepared for their Reception as is before recited and over and above all the substantial Citizens standing on both sides the Streets and as the King approached with audible voice cry'd King Richard King Richard At the Standard in Cheapside was a right sumptuous Stage ordained on which was placed divers Representations and amongst the rest one Dressed like an Angel who holding a Crown of Gold in his hand richly set-with Stones put it upon the Kings head as he passed by as likewise another on the Queens this done the King Rode to St. Pauls Church and there making his Offering took Horse again and Rode to his Pallace at Westminster where the Mayor and Aldermen take their leave of him and returned to London On the Morrow the Mayor and his Brethren went again to Westminster and there being admitted to the Kings presence presented him with two Guilt Basons and in them 2000 Nobles in Gold beseeching him to be a good and gracious Lord to the poor distressed City These Presents he received in Courteous manner and gave them words of Comfort promising to endeavour the forgetting their Offences so that three days after they received a new Confirmation of all their old Liberties at least such as were most advantageous to the City and no Detriment to Forreigners wherefore the Citizens being not a little pleased after some Consideration had they made a Tablet for an Altar all of Silver Guilt with Gold in which was curiously Ingraven the Story of St. Edward the Confessor it being esteemed to be worth 1000 Marks This they presented to the King which he shortly after offered to the Shrine of St. Edward The Londoners believed that by these Gifts they had so far Ingratiated themselves into the Kings favour as to be out of all danger and that no farther trouble could accrue notwithstanding which they were compelled to give the King after all this the Summ of 10000 pounds which was raised by a general Collection amongst the Commons who payed it with great Regret and Grudging Hitherto Reader I have given you an account what has happened to the City of London and what means have been used by the Mayor Aldermen and other Citizens to appease the Anger of such Princes into whose displeasure they had fallen yet to give a greater Confirmation to the truth of what happened in the Reign of King Richard the Second I shall give another Relation of the several Transactions as it was taken out of the Canon of Licester Abby by Henry Knighton In the year says he 1392. the King called a great Council at Stamford on the morrow after Trinity Sunday about certain Affairs concerning the French-men in which Council he assembled together his chief Officers and invited all the old Souldiers that served in former Wars to repair to him that so he might be the better enabled to put in practice what should be advised and concluded on the King also held a great Council at Nottingham at the Feast of St. John Baptist where he caused the Mayor of London with the four and twenty Aldermen the two Sheriffs and four and twenty Commoners of the most principal and wealthy amongst them to be brought before him where he Charged them