be made unto such as had been disherited he began to raise new Tumults for having raised a great power in the Marches of Wales he came directly for London pretending at first as if he came to aid the King in his intended War with France upon which plausible pretence he obtained leave of the Mayor and Citizens to pass through the City into Southwark where he Encamped and shortly after Sir John de Evilli came and joyned him with about 2000 Horse and Foot upon which and some other Actions that had happened the Mayor caused the Bridge and Water-side to be guarded Day and Night with such Forces as could be raised and the Draw-bridge to be drawn up every Night but within a while the Earl used the Matter so that he was permitted to Lodge within the City with a considerable number of his men and getting into favour with such as bore most sway he by degrees got all his Army to Quarter there and having thus taken possession he got the Keys of all the Gates and set a Guard of his own men to Watch them upon which the Popes Legate who had fled to the Tower for safety came out and exhorted the Earl to desist his Rebellious Practises but in vain for the Earl not only commanded him to return from whence he came but likewise gave strict charge to such as kept the Guard on that side that no Provision should be permitted to be carried into the Tower notwithstand about 2000 persons were got into it resolving to defend it for the King till such time as he Arived with such Forces as he had gathered in Cambridge-shire and other places adjacent Upon the great abuses that were at that time used towards Strangers a considerable number of Jews with their Wives and Children got likewise into the Tower and had one quarter of at assigned them to defend which they did very Manfully so that many of the Londoners fearing new Insurrections might be occasioned by such proceedings went out of the City and carried with them the greatest part of their Substance and what they left behind them was seized by the Earls command who suffered his Men to spoil it at pleasure The greater part of the Commons of the City took part with the Earl which highly offended the King and the more for that they being as it were without Government tumultuously Assembled at Guild-hall and there chose for their Mayor Sir Richard de Colworth and for Bayliffs Robert de Linton and Roger Marshal discharging the Sheriffs of their Places Offices and Trusts contrary to the desires and endeavours of the more Moderate and Judicious part of the Citizens and carrying on their outrages yet farther they forc'd divers Aldermen and chief Citizens to Prison without Law or Process and having them in safe Custody went to their Houses where they not onely defaced them but took their Goods and spoyled them under a pretence of Sequestration as likewise all that had been Imprisoned within the City Prisons upon the Quarrel of the Barrons they set at Liberty Whilst these tumultuous Actions were at London the King lay at Cambridge with a considerable Army to hinder the Rovers that had fortified the Isle of Ely from making Incursions on that side notwithstanding they committed many outrages being emboldened so to do by reason of the London Tumults as well knowing they would oblige the King to draw off his Forces and such of them as were not intercepted by the Kings Forces frequently came to joyne with the Earl doing great Mischiefs by the way by whose assistance the Earl being much encouraged undertook to assail the Tower which held for the King in which was the Popes Legate and a great number of Armed men as is before recited upon the first News of which attempt the King dislodged his Army and Marched towards London but finding his Power too weak he was obliged to sell his Plate and Jewels to raise more Forces whereupon he sent Prince Edward and others into France and Scotland to raise them and again retired to Cambridge where he continued till the Prince came to him with an Army of 30000 Scots and French The King upon this Recruit leaving a sufficient power at Cambridge to defend those parts from the Rovers advanced with all diligence towards London resolving to give the Earl Battle if he durst leave the City to meet him sending a Herauld to give him notice of his intent When he was come to Windsor he there Encamped the better to inform himself how affairs stood in the City and how the people stood inclined not wanting many Loyal persons there to give him secret Intelligence what happened from time to time he had not long stayed at Windsor but his Army daily encreased which made Gloucester and his Party begin to doubt of the promised Success with which they had flattered themselves and thereupon were very desirous of Peace but the King would not hearken to their Proposals whereupon they appointed to give him Battle upon Houndslow-heath but the King coming thither with his whole Army at the day appointed found that they had altered their resolutions no person being there to oppose him after he had stayed some time and understood by his Scouts that no Army approached he set forwards towards London and wheeling about brought his whole Army to Stratford where he gave command they should Encamp In the mean while a Party of the Rebels that Quartered in Southwark went to Westminster where they dēstroyed the Church and much defaced the Abby then coming to the Kings Pallace and finding it disserted they broke open the Gates and plundered it breaking all the Windows and defacing the Images or Statues scarce forbearing to set it on Fire they likewise Robbed several other great Houses about London As the King lay thus Encamped at Stratford there came to him from beyond the Sea the Earls of Bullogne and St. Paul with 2000 Men at Armes also there Arived in the Thames a Fleet of great Ships with a considerable Supply of Gascoines which lay before the Tower waiting the Kings command to oppose whose Landing Gloucester drew Trenches and raised Bullworks but when no Man hoped for Peace by the mediation of the King of Almaigne the Lord Philip Basset and others the King consented to a Treaty wherein the Ordinance of Killingworth was in all points observed and in that Treaty of Peace the Londoners were comprehended and taken into favour upon condition that they forthwith payed 1000 Marks to the King of Almaigne for the Burning his House at Thisleworth and the Officers that had been displaced during the Tumults to be restored to their respective Trust and such as had been wrongfully Imprisoned to take their course at Common-Law against so many of the offendors as they could Learn were concerned therein In the 51 year of the Reign of Edward the third Anno Dom. 1377 the Duke of Lancaster using the Kings Authority directed Warrants to all the Lords and
Barrons Knights and Burgesses that 15 days after St. Hillary they should be present at London there to Assemble in Parliament to adjust matters appertaining to the Publick Wee l of the Kingdom to this Parliament came Richard of Burdaux Son to Edward the black Prince and Grand-Child to the King accompanyed with a great number of Knights and Gentlemen and was received by the Londoners after the best manner being presented with many Rich Gifts as likewise his Uncle the Duke of Lancaster seemed to Honour him above the rest placeing him in the Chair of State and advised him to demand that they would give the King two Tenths in one year or else of all the Merchandice that were sold in England for one year 12 pence of every pound of every Fire-House one Penny and of every Knights Fee one Pound of Silver which demands the Duke earnestly Prosecuted saying they of necessity must grant one of these Points for that the Enemies had Proclaimed War and would suddainly Invade the Realm upon which the Parliament desired time to debate the matter when as the day appointed for delivering their Opinions was come one Mr. Hungerford was elected to deliver their Opinions who had been if at that time he was not the Dukes Steward though some were of Opinion that Sir Peter de la Moor was the fittest Man on that occasion but these latter being few in number they prevailed nothing Whilst these things were doing the Duke proceeded yet farther and demanded a Subsidy of the whole Clergy which so thoroughly netled the Bishops that they mightily opposed it but the Duke consulting with one Wicliffe who greaaly Inveighed against the Clergy he affirmed that it was lawful not only for the King but for Temporal Lords to take the Goods of Clergy-men towards their Subsistance if necessity required it the better to effect this by pleasing the Bishops he Treated with the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to call a Convocation which was accordingly done and William Wickam Bishop of Winchester who had been Banished several Miles from Court was by the Dukes order brought there to this Convocation it was ordained that the aforesaid Wicliffe should appear to answer for his spreading his Doctrine throughout the City and in other places as likewise giving his Opinion to the Duke in prejudice to the Clergy and that being Tryed and Convicted for the same he should undergo such Penaltys as that Assembly should think fit And on the 15 of February in the year aforesaid the Convocation being Assembled he was brought forth by the Dukes command and as he came he was greatly annimated by such of his followers as had embraced his Doctrine and Councelled neither to fear the Bishops nor the great concourse of People seeing not only the Duke but likewise all the Nobillity present were his Friends when he came into our Ladys Chapple in St. Pauls Church Henry Peircy chief Marshal of England willed him to sit down and in a manner compelled him so to do saying that he had much to answer and therefore ought to sit upon which the Bishops were highly offended the Bishop of London in the name of all the rest alledging that since he was come as a Criminal to answer before his ordinary to such things as should be objected against him he ought to shew more Respect and Reverence to the Convocation The Duke being present and hearing the words of the Bishop began sharply to reprehend him Swearing that he would pull down not only his Pride but that of all the Bishops in England and added that although he Trusted in his Parents they could profit him nothing to which the Bishop replyed that he neither Trusted in his Parents nor in the Life of any Man but in God only in whom he ought to trust This last answer so Inraged the Duke that he Whispring the Bishop softly told him he would rather draw him out of the Church by the Hair of the Head then suffer such things at his Hands The Londoners who were all this while waiting in Crouds without hearing how the Duke had threatned their Bishop gave a Loud Shout Swearing that they would rather loose their Lives then any violence should be offered to their Bishop in his own Church and that which heightened their Fury the more was that the Duke being President in Parliament where the day before it was requested in the Kings name that from that day forwards there should be no more Mayor of London but that a Captain should be appointed and that the Marshal of England as well in the City as in other places might Arrest such as offended with many other things which were mannifestly against the Libertys of the City The Morrow after the Londoners Assembled themselves to take Councel what they should do in such a strait they were like to fall into in case a Captain should be chosen they concluing their Liberties must be no longer continued especially if the Marshals Office extended it self within their Jurisdiction and farther they argued what might be done in Reperation of the affront or Injury put upon their Bishop and whilst they were debating these matters and differing in Opinions about coming to a conclusion what to do the Lord Fitz Walter and Sir Guidio Brian entered the City whether to know their minds or otherwise is uncertain but the unruly Multitude construing things in the worst Sense were hardly restrained from falling upon them nor had they escaped the Hands of the Multitude had not they Sworn they came not in the least to perjudice the City when having no soonor obtained belief and pacified the Rabble but the Lord Fitz Walter stood up and made an Oration the effects of which was that whereas he being by Antient Inheritance Standard Bearer to the City was to take Injuries offered to them as to himself and thereupon willed them to look to their Defence He had no sooner ended but they run to their Arms every one taking what came next to hand and in a great rage went to the Inn where the Marshal lay breaking open the Doors and searching all parts of the House where they imagined he might be but not finding him they brought out a Prisoner whom they found there in Fetters and set him at Liberty and then went to other places in Quest of the Marshal but found him not for that day he and the Duke Dined with one John of Ipre of which they were Ignorant but they supposed at least to have found them at the Savoy and thereupon many of them came with all expedition thither in the mean while one of the Dukes Servants advertized his Lord what had happened and advised him to Shift for his safety whereupon in a great Fright he left his Provision and Fled by Water to his Mannor at Kennington where finding the Princess and the Young Prince viz. Richard of Burdeaux Son to Edward the Black Prince he related what had happened and grievously complained against the Insolency of the
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
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
Persons who were actually in the Insurrection aiding abetting or encouraging the same were Guilty of High-Treason The business being brought to this pass they Adjourned to Guild-Hall where on the 2d of May the Offenders were brought before them and Indicted as well for the Insurrection as the several Robberies that were Committed during the Uproar to which they pleaded Not Guilty a great many of them not exceeding 14 years of Age yet were there amongst them Laborours Husband-men and others that were not of the City the whole number amounting to 278 Persons amongst whom was John Lincoln who was Indicted as the principal Contriver of the said Insurrection to which he pleaded Not Guilty and had three days given him to prepare for his defence so that for that day there were no farther Proceedings but upon the day affixed the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Surry came again attended with 2000 Armed men who kept the Streets and the Prisoners being brought upon their Tryals 13 were found Guilty and adjudged to be Hanged whereupon Eleven pair of Gallows were set up in divers parts of the City when at the day appointed for Execution the Prisoners were brought forth with Ropes about their Necks and Arms and in the presence of the Lord Edmund Son to the Duke of Norfolk to whom the charge of seeing it done was committed they were Executed without any respect to their Youth On the 17th of May Lincoln Sherwin and the two Bettses being Brothers with several of their Confederates were found Guilty and received Sentence as the former when within a short time after they were drawn upon Hurdles to the Standard in Cheapside where Lincoln was first Executed but as the rest were about to be turn'd off a Reprieve came from the King to stay Execution upon which the people Shouted crying God Save the King and thereupon the Prisoners were carryed back to Prison there to attend the Kings farther pleasure After this all the Armed Men which before had kept Watch in the City were withdrawn which gave the Citizens hope that the Kings displeasure towards them was not so great as themselves conceived whereupon on the 11th of May the King Riding at his Mannor of Greenwich the Mayor Recorder and divers Aldermen went in Mourning Gowns to wait upon him and having admittance to the Privy-Chamber door and after they had attended there for some time the King attended with several of his Nobles came forth whereupon they falling upon their Knees the Recorder in the Name of the rest spake as followeth Most Natural Benign and our Soveraign Lord we well know that your Grace is highly displeased with us of your City of London for the great Riot done and Committed there wherefore we assure your Grace that none of us nor no Honest Person were condescending to that Enormity yet we our Wives and Children every hour lament that your Favour should be taken from us and forasmuch as Light and Idle Persons were the doers of the same we most humbly beseech your Grace to have Mercy on us for our negligence and compassion on the Offenders for their Offences and Trespasses To which the King Replyed Truly you have highly displeased and offended us and therefore you ought to wail and be sorry for the same and whereas you say that you the Substantial Citizens were not consenting to what happened it appeareth to the contrary for you never moved to let them nor stirred to fight with those whom you say were so small a number of light persons wherefore we must think and you cannot deny but that you did wink at the matter therefore at this time we will neither grant you our Favour nor Good-will nor to the Offenders mercy but resort to our Lord Chancellor and he shall make you an Answer and declare to you our pleasure At this Speech of the Kings the Citizens departed very sorrowful but having notice that the King intended to be at his Pallace of Westminster on the 22d of May they resolved to repair thither which they did accordingly though not without the appointment of Cardinal Wolsey who was then Lord Chancellor when as a Cloth of Estate being placed at the upper-end of Westminster-Hall the King took his place and after him the Cardinal the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk the Earls of Wilt-shire Surry Shrewsbury and Essex with several others the Lord Mayor Recorder and Aldermen together with many of the Commons attending in their Liveries when about Nine of the Clock order was given for the bringing forth the Prisoners which was accordingly done so that in they came in their Shirts bound together with Ropes and Halters about their Necks to the number of 400 Men and Eleven Women one after another which fight so moved several of the Nobility that they became earnest Intercessors to the King for their pardon When silence was made and they were all come into the Kings presence the Cardinal sharply Rebuked the Mayor Aldermen and Commonalty for their Negligence and then addressing his Speech to the Prisoners he told them That for their Offences against the Laws of the Realm and against his Majesties Crown and Dignity they had deserved Death whereupon they all set up a piteous cry saying Mercy Gracious Lord Mercy which so moved the King that at the earnest Intreaty of the Lords he pronounced them pardoned upon which giving a great Shout they threw up their Halters towards the Roof of the Hall crying God Save the King When this News was bruited abroad several that had been in the Insurrection and had escaped came in upon their own accords with Ropes about their Necks and received the benefit of the Kings pardon after which the Cardinal gave them several good Exhortations tending to Loyalty and Obedience and so dismissed them to their no small joy and within a while after the Gallowses that were set in the several parts of the City were taken down which so far pleased the Citizens that they expressed infinite thanks to the King for his Clemency This Company was called the Black VVaggon and the day whereon this Riot and Insurrection hapned bears the name of Ill-May-day to these our present times And thus have you heard how the Citizens escaped the Kings displeasure and were again received into favour though as it is thought not without paying a considerable Summ of Money to the Cardinal to stand their Friend for at that time he was in such Power that he did all with the King This Broil being over the Citizens lived in Peace all the days of King Henry the Eighth lending him at divers times great Summs of Money to carry on his Wars against France and upon other occasions During the Reign of his Son King Edward likewise all things were preserved peaceably within the City a good Understanding being for the most part between them and their Prince insomuch that the City greatly flourished under his Pious Goverment he giving to them his Pallace of Bridewell Christ's-Hospital
THE FORFEITURES OF Londons Charter Or an Impartial Account of the SEVERAL SEISURES OF THE City Charter Together with the Means and Methods that were used for the Recovery of the same with the Causes by which it came forfeited as likewise the Imprisonments Deposing and Fining the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Sheriffs since the Reign of King Henry the Third to this present Year 1682. Being faithfully collected out of Antient and Modern Historys and now Seasonably Published for the satisfaction of the Inquisitive upon the late Arrest made upon the said Charter by Writ of Quo Warranto Printed for the Author and are to be Sold by Daniel Brown at the Black-Swan and Bible without Temple-Bar and Thomas Benskin in St. Brides-Church-Yard 1682. Since the Charter was granted to the Antient and Famous City of London by William the Conqueror Henry the Second and other Kings of this Realm we find several Inspections have been made into it and that at sundry times the Priviledges and Charter of the said City hath been taken away and suspended The Historical Relation of which as it is Recorded by the most Authentick of our English Writers Being now thought seasonable and useful is intended to be the Subject of this Treatise TO begin at the 50 year of the Reign of Henry the Third Anno Dom. 1265. Upon the Citizens taking part with the Earl of Leicester and the Barons against the King after the said Earl was Slain at the Battle of Eversham and the King again was restored to his Royal Dignities he began to call to mind how the Citizens had shut their Gates against him and succour'd his Enemies so that calling a Parliament at Westminster about the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in the year aforesaid all the Statutes that had been made by the Parliament the Barons had Assembled at Oxford were Repealed and also all such as had favoured the Barons and were as then either in Prison or abroad should be disinherited It was also ordain'd and passed the Assent of both Houses that many of the Wealthiest Citizens of London should be cast into Prison and the City should be deprived of the Liberties and Priviledges that had been formerly granted and confirmed to them as likewise that all the Chains and Posts should be pulled up and taken away thereby to leave the Streets fenceless c. This was no sooner Enacted but put in Execution for the chief Citizens were Arrested and committed to Ward within the Castle of Windsor till they should pay such Fines as were demanded which was 300 pounds a peice at least whereupon the Liberties of the City pursuant to the said Act were suspended and the Tower of London fortified with Outworks for its better Security as likewise such Posts and Chains as had been brought out of the City were placed about the Defences in nature of Barracado's not long after another Parliament was called at Westminster wherein a great number of such as had been aiding to the Barons had their Lands confiscated which Lands the King no sooner seized but he gave them to such as had faithfully served him in the Wars so that a considerable number as well of Citizens as others were obleiged to Compound with such as had the Donation bestowed upon them Upon these and such like proceedings of the King the Londoners thought it their safest way to submit to the Kings Mercy and after long attendance and at the incessant Intreaties of such Noble Persons at Court as they could make their Friends they obtained a Pardon though many of the Commoners refused to joyne with the Mayor and Aldermen and other Wealthy Citizens therein being rather inclined to stand it out and held several Debates about defending the City against the King but their Resolutions in that affair were by most of the wisest sort held as pernicious and dangerous to the Peace and Tranquility of the Nation The reason that induced them to such obstinacy as most conjecture was because the City at that time was Inhabited by sundry Nations who during the Intestine Broils had been admitted as Citizens to defend the same but in the end all those Debates and Consultations came to no effect for when every Man had spent his Verdict it was thought the safest way to submit to the Kings Pleasure and consent to what he should think fit upon which Submission and a Fine of 20000 Marks the King received them again into his Favour and ordered that such Lands Houses and other things as had been Confiscated and not disposed of should be restored again to the Owners After which he did not deliver them the possession or keeping of the City as formerly but placed Sir Othon as Custos or Guardian of the same who was also Constable of the Tower he likewise chose to be Bayliffs or as they are now called Sheriffs John Adrian and Walter Henery Citizens The King proceeded yet farther and compelled the most substantial amongst them to give their Sons as Pledges or Hostages thereby to prevent any Revolt for the future which Pledges or Hostages he caused to be kept in the Tower of London and maintained at the Cost of their Parents as likewise by advice of his Counsel he constituted a Captain in every County now called by the name of Lord Lieutenant to suppress any Rebellion that might arise upon the distast of the unruly multitude The King having all this while continued in the City the better to have an Eye upon and keep in awe such as upon the aforementioned occasions were ever now and then ready to make Insurrections and upon his departure ordained Sir John Lind and John Waldren Governours in his Absence by the Names of Seneschals or Stewards but such earnest Suits were made by the Londoners to obtain a free Pardon that in the end after the said Guardians or Governours had taken sufficient Security for the payment of the Fine of 20000 Marks the King granted them his Charter of Pardon under the Great Seal and sent it them wherein he freely remitted and pardoned all Trespasses and offences that had been committed by them during the War only the Lands Houses Goods and Persons which he had given to Prince Edward his Eldest Son were excepted This Charter of Pardon and Restauration of the Cities Liberties Priviledges and Immunities was dated at Northampton in the 50 Year of his Reign Anno Dom. 1266. upon which the Senescal was discharged and the Citizens chose then for Mayor William Fitz Richards and for Sheriffs Thomas de la Fourd and Gregory de Rocksledge and had the mannagement of the City intire as ever so that Trade began to flourish and the Companies began to Incorporate but this happiness lasted not long for in the 52 year of the said King Henry the Third Anno Dom. 1267. The King being absent in the Country the Earl of Gloucester taking great displeasure for that he might not have his Will as well for Banishing of Strangers as for Restitution to
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
That they had forfeited a Bond of 9000 pounds to him besides their Liberties and Priviledges which Bond or Obligation they had formerly made to the King as a Confirmation of their Obedience and after the King had declared what new offences they had Committed he discharged the Mayor two Sheriffs and the rest of the Officers of their respective Offices and sent the Mayor and the two Sheriffs to a certain place there to be kept in Custody as his Prisoners divesting the City of London of all her Honours and Priviledges insomuch that a Citizen or Free-man should have no more Prerogative than a Forreigner or Stranger He also appointed the Lord Baleridge to be Governour thereof to keep and see kept the Kings Laws and his Leige-people within the City of London in due order until such time as the King had otherwise provided for them after which a day was set them to answer the King and his Council to certain Interrogatorys which was on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen and the place affixed for that purpose was VVindsor In the mean while through the Mediation of such as were well-willers to the City the Kings Indignation was somewhat mittigated and pacified towards them insomuch that at length he released the Mayor and Sheriffs from their Confinements sending them home to their respective houses setting over the City notwithstanding a new Keeper or Governour reserving all the Priviledges and Liberties in his own hands In the mean time the Citizens consulting what was best to be done they at last agreed to submit themselves and all their Goods to the Kings mercy when upon the Assumption of the blessed Virgin all the Wealthy Citizens came to the King and submitted themselves accordingly insomuch that he speak friendly to them and began to receive them into favour On the VVednesday ensuing the King was purposed to come to London and the Citizens in great numbers came out to meet him on Horse-back and such as could not procure Horses went on foot to welcome him which they performed with Shouts and joyful Acclamations and not only men but likewise women and Children came flocking about him When he came near the City the Bishop of London with all the Clergy and Religious Persons of all Degrees whatsoever went out to meet him so that in that Procession there were said to be above 500 Boys in Surplices moreover the Citizens trimed the out-side of their houses and Chambers in every street through which the King and Queen were to pass as for the Houses of the wealthier sort they were bravely garnished with Cloth of Gold Silver Velvet and other Rich and sumptuous Stuffs In Cheapside there was a Conduit out of which two Spouts ran with red and white Wines and upon the Conduit stood a little Boy Appareled like an Angel having a Golden Cup in his hand in which he presented Wine to the King and Queen as they passed by In the mean time several Citizens presented the King with a Crown of Gold of great value as likewise another to the Queen and a while after they presented her with a Tablet of Gold with the Story of St. Ann Ingraven in it the which she most greatfully accepted and the rather by reason her own name was Ann as saith our Historian As likewise to the King a Golden Tablet of the blessed Trinity to the value of 800 pounds such so great and wondeful Honours did the Citizens of London to the King and Queen as the like before had been never done to any King or Queen of this Realm and so going forwards they brought the King and Queen to Westminster-Hall where the King placing himself upon his Throne and all his Nobles standing about him one in the Kings behalf as his Speaker gave the Citizens thanks for the great Honour they had done him and the Princely Presents which they had bestowed upon him and then they being commanded every man to fall to his business and that in the next Parliament they should have their final Answer they departed with great joy And thus far this Author makes his Report of what happened upon the afore-mentioned occasion After this Reconciliation by the means and methods before recited the Citizens followed their Imployments peaceably having several Grants and smunities added to the former as also when King Richard was Deposed by Henry Duke of Lancaster Son to John of Gaunt the Citizens by siding with the Conqueror preserved their Charter and Liberties as likewise during his Reign who took the Rule of the Kingdom upon him by the Name of Henry the 4th After him succeeded his Son Henry the Fifth into whose favour the Citizens highly Ingratiated themselves dealing likewise faithfully with his Son Henry the Sixth till such time as Edward the Fourth became Conqueror at which time they neglected him as thinking it safest to sail with the Wind of Power During his Reign they continued peaceable having many of their former Charters and Grants confirmed though not without considerable summs of money on the parts of the City King Richard the Third being a Usurper was obliged to make the Citizens his Friends for the better support of his Dignity so that they lived quietly during his Reign as also during the Reign of King Henry the Seventh but in the Ninth year of Henry the Eighth these following Disturbances happened The City of London being greatly Infested with Strangers who notwithstanding the Priviledges and Charters granted did use all manner of Handicrafts and had such Licenses to vend their Manufactures that the Citizens were greatly Impoverished nor was that all for they being Imboldened by relying upon the favour of the Courtiers openly abused the Citizens not only with reproachful words but likewise by Stroaks and amongst the rest one Francis D'Bard a Lumbard causing a Citizens Wife to convey her Husbands Plate and other Goods to his house he there kept her and would by no means restore her although an Action was brought against him These and such like matters stirred up the Citizens Indignation against the Strangers but above all one John Lincoln a Broaker who having drawn up a Bill of Grievances with it he went to Dr. Standish and desired him to read it in his Pulpit at the Spittle he being to Preach there on the Munday in Easter-Week but he like a Wise Man and good Subject considering of what evil consequence it might prove refused it upon which Lincoln went to Dr. Bele who was to Preach there on the Tuesday and so prevailed with him that he openly read it the Contents being these The Substance of the Bill of Complaint Read by Dr. Bele at the SPITTLE TO all you the VVorshipful Lords and Masters of this City that will take Compassion on the poor People your Neighbours as also of the great and insufferable Hurts Losses and Hindrances whereof proceedeth the extream poverty to all the Kings Subjects that inhabit within this City and the Suburbs thereof for so it is that the
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