libertie and commen wealth in this behalfe to bryng with you suche ayde as you may The ende of Wyates proclamation The messenger that brought the letter with the proclamatioÌ„ from Wyat to the Shreif being not preuie to y e contentes therof and hauing charge vpon his life to returne an answere with all spede importuned the Shreife so muche therfore although he saw hiÌ„ greatly busied in geuing aduertisement throughout the shyre of Wyates trayterous determinatioÌ„ as he neuerthelesse to satisfie the messenger whom he knowe to bee a right honest man notwithstanding his diligence was abused in so leude a message made him aunswere out of hand as foloweth The Shreifes answere to the messenger that brought Wyates letter NEyghbour Monde rather to satisfie your importunitie theÌ„ to answer Wyates letter whom in this case I disdaine to answere or to speake with you apart coÌ„ming from a traytour you may say vnto him that as in dede I haue been desierous of his frendship for neighbourhoodes sake so haue I muche more desired his reformation in diuers pointes of great disordre wherby he certainly knew aswell by my spech to him selfe as other meanes coÌ„ming to his knowledge that I haue sithens the beginning of the Quenes reigne holden him and some of his coleges in this coÌ„spiracie vehemently suspected for like matters as nowe they haue attempted Wherein seyng he hath not deceiued me but by opening him self hath manifestly verified myne opinion conceiued of him I purpose not to purchase his frendship so deare as for the gaine of him to lose my self my posteritie in perpetual infamye And if suche thinges whiche his fonde headde hath wayed for perilles to the condempnation of the whole wisedome of the realme thei allowing the same for good had been in dede as perillous as he with others for want of due consideration demeth them his duetie had been to haue opened his opinion therein as an humble reuerent peticioner to the Quenes highnes or to some of her graces counsell But to presse his soueraigne in any suite or vpon any occasion with weapon armour by sturring her subiectes to rebellioÌ„ that is and alwaies hath been accompted the parte of most arrogant and presumptuous traytours and so do I note him and his mates as you may tell them shall God willing prouide for theÌ„ accordingly Nowe goodman Monde it shal be in your choyse whether you will carie this message or no. But as your frende I shall aduise you to seeke out better company The messenger excusing himselfe by ignoraunce departed to Wyat with answere And sone after returned to the â—hireâ—â— vnder whome he serued the quene very faithfully The Shreif being made preuie as ye haue heard by Wyat to his trayterous pretence the night before he stirred and wanting no good wyâ—â— as it should seme with the helpe of the lord Aburgaueny who was as forwâ—rd as he to haue resisted the reading of Wyatâ—s proclamatioÌ„ at Maydestone the day folowing and to disparse his force sent for gentlemen and yeomen in all hast to y e ende But afore he could gather power mete to attempt the repressing of â—uche a force sundrye of hys neighbours of greatest possessions townes moste populus whiche should haue ben his cheife aide being coÌ„trarie bent Wyat accoÌ„â—panied w t a force well armed weponed marched to Rochester The same Thursdaye Harper and other metynge hym in the waye where fortifiyng the East partes of the towne and breaking vp the bridge towardes the West he abode the comming of his appointed streÌ„gth sufferynge all Passengers to passe quietly through the towne to London or to the sea taking nothinge from them but onlâ—e theyr weapon And beyng the Fridaye all daye at Rochesteâ— and not hearinge from Isleye the towâ—e of Tunbridge and other his coÌ„â—urates of the West parte of the shyre he adressed an earnest letter the Saterdaye mornynge to Isleye the Kneuetes and other wyth the towne of Tunbridge requiringe them to accellerate their comming vnto him According wherevnto Isleye the Kneuetes with other beinge newlye retourned from Penshurste The riffliÌ„g of syr Henry Sidneye where they riffled Syr Henry Sydneye hys armourie he beynge attendaunt vppon the Queenes highnes as a faithfull subiecte perceyuyng Wyat to longe for their comminge resolued to obserue theyr promise marche forwardes that night towardes Wyat. But vnderstandinge that the Lorde Aburgaâ—eny the Shriffe and George Clerke hadde nowe gathered a force and were prest to encountre them first or they departed out of y e towne thought it good by some kinde of proclamation to alienate the peoples heartes from them as they dyd in maner folowyng The copie of the praclamation made at Tunbridge by syr Henry Isleyeâ— Antony Kneuet and his brother with others YOu shal vnderstand that Henry Lord Aburgauenye Robert Southwell knight George Clerke gentleman haue most traitrouslye to the disturbance of the common wealth styrred and raysed vp the Queenes most louing subiectes of this realme to defend the most wicked deuilishe enterprise of certen of y e wicked and peruerse couÌ„selours to the vtter confusion of this her graces realme and the perpetuall seruitude of all the Queenes most louynge subiectes In consideration wherof we syr Thomas Wyat knight syr George Harper knight syr Henry Isleye knight Anthony Kneuet Esquâ—er with all the faithfull Gentlemen of Kent and trusty commons of the same do pronounce the sayde Henry Lorde Aburgaueny Robert Southwell and George Clerke gentlemaÌ„ to be traytours to God the crowne and the common â—ealthe This done with all spede calling their company together by the noyes of drummes and leaâ—inge theyr directe waye to Rochester for that they would not come vnder the wing of the Lorde Aburgauenye and the shireffe thei marched that night to Seuenocke Takinge order with suche as were left behinde in the towne that they shoulde be in a readines to come when so euer they shoulde be sent for by Wyat that by no wayes they shoulde beleue any tales For quod they the counsell will nowe sende abrode fliynge lies and tales to discredit vs and discomforte you for it is their policie Antony Kneuet after he was leapt to his horse toke one by the hande and said fare you well And if you happe to heare that I am taken neuer beleue it for vndoubtedlye I wyll eyther die in the felde or achiue my purpose But within .xxiiij. houres he brake his promise and ranne awaye no faster then hys legges could carye hym Well I shal now leaue them marchyng to Seuenocke and returne to Wyat at Rochester The Herauldes coÌ„minge to Rochester This present saterday came vnto him froÌ„ the quenes highnes an Herauld and a trumpetour Wyat at the â—ounde of the trumpette came to the brydge where the Herauld was with his cote armour cariyng the armes of EnglaÌ„d on his back But Wyat without vsing any reuerence to him either for his cote or office would not suffre him to come
the nobilitie of the realme and the wholle counsell one or two onely except were agreable to his pretenced treason woulde with all theyr power strength further y e same which he found most vntrue to his subuersion And y t the lorde Aburgaueny the lorde Warden syr Robert Southwell high shyreffe with al other gentlemen wold ioyne with him in this enterprise set theyr fote by his to repell the straungers This proclamation and such annexed persuasions made at Maydstone on the market day and in other partes of the shire had so wrought in the heartes of the people How Wyates vntrue persuasioÌ„s abused the people that diuers which before hated him and he them were nowe as it seemed vpon this occasion mutually reconciled and sayd vnto hym Syr is your quarell onely to defend vs from ouerrunning by strauÌ„â—gers and to aduaunce libertie and not agaynst the Queene No quod Wyat we mynde no thynge lesse than anye wise to touche her grace The nature of an heretike is to sai one thinge and thinke another but to serue her and honour her accordynge to our duties Well quod they geue vs then your hande we wyll sticke to you to deathe in this quarell That done there came to hym one other of good wealthe saying Syr quod he they saye I loue potage well I wyll sell all my spones and all the plate in my house rather than your purpose shall quayle and suppe my potage with my mouthe I trust quod he you wyll restore the right religion agayne Whiste quod Wyat you may not so much as name religion for that wil withdraw from vs the heartes of manye Wyates owne wordes to proue heresy to be the ground of his rebellion you must only make your quarrell for ouerrunnyng by straungers And yet to thee be it sayd in counsell as vnto my frende we mynde only the restitution of Gods word But no wordes By these his wordes it appeared that his principall intent was not to kepe out strauÌ„gers whiche commonlye doe not inuade to oure hinderaunce but by rebellion amongest our selues nor to aduaunce libertye whiche euer decayeth through treason but to aduaunce heresye the Lady regent of his life and doinges This same thursday as Wyat Thomas Isleye and others were occupied at Maydstone with proclamations to styrre the people suche lyke so were others his confederates occupied in like maner by proclamacions at Mylton Ashforde other townes in the East partes of the shyre Through whose allurementes the multitude were growen so earnestlye affected to Wyates purpose that they suffred maister Christopher Roper a man of good wurshyppe and so estemed of theÌ„ to be taken of Wyates ministers ThappreheÌ„â—sion of master Christopher Roper by y e rebels and caried out of the market place withoute any maner of rescue for that he hauinge his heart and eye full fixt vpon the Queene not onelye withstode the readinge of Wyates traiterous proclamation at Milton but also in y e same place proclaymed him and all hys traytours And beynge roughlye charged therewith by Wyat and other his galauntes when he was broughte to Rochester he answered master Christopher Ropers words to Wyat. this tonge spake it and doeth now auowe it They suffred maister Tucke also maister Dorrel of Calehyll being gentle men of good wurshyppe ThappreheÌ„â—sion of maister Tucke and maister Dorell and Iustices of peace to be taken oute of theyr houses by the rebelles and conueyed withoute anye maner of rescue in the daye tyme to Rochester beinge twentye miles distant where they wyth maister Roper were kepte as prisoners in greate daunger of life In lyke maner syr Henrye Isleye Antonye Kneuet William Kneuet with others were at Tunbrige Seuenocke and other townes in the West partes of the shyre styrrynge the people by alarummes drummes and praclamations Nowe ye shal vnderstaÌ„d that the euening afore the publishing his pretence at Maydestone How Wyat wrote to the sheriffe of his enteÌ„t to styrre Wyat sent a letter by one Thomas Monde a man of muche honestie to sir Robert Southwell beyng Shreif of the shyre vnto whom long afore as I can vnderstaÌ„de he had neither spokeÌ„ nor writteÌ„ other theÌ„ in defiauÌ„ce they beyng in contencion for maters of religion as it was saied Neuerthelesse to serue his purpose dissembling his great malice and haut courage he wrote a letter to him of suche effect as foloweth The effect of Wyates letter to sir Robert Southwell Shreif of Kent After heartie commendations there hath been betwene you and me many quarelles and grudges and I euer the sufferer and yet haue you sought the ende whiche is nowe frendlye offered vnto you if you bee willing to receiue it But whatsoeuer priuate quarell you haue to me I doubte not but youre wysdome is to muche seyng so manye perilles at hand to vs both this pretensed mariage taking effect to dissent from vs in so necessarie a purpose as wherin we nowe determine to entre for the common wealthe of the whole realme And that you may the better vnderstand our pretence I send you the copy of our proclamation comprehending the somme and effect of our meaningâ— whervnto if the commen wealth shal fynde you an enemie saye not hereafter but that you were freÌ„dly warnedâ— we forbeare to write to the lorde Aburgaueny for what you may do with him if you list we know The style of wyates proclamation A proclamation agreed vnto by Thomas Wyat George Harper Henrye Isleye Wyates falsâ— presumption of the best of the shyre knightes and by diuers of the best of the shyre sent vnto the commons of the same FOrasmuche as it is now spred abrode certainly pronounced by the lorde Chauncelour and other of the counsell of the Qnenes determinate pleasure to marry w t a strauÌ„ger ce we therfore write vnto you because you bee oure neighbours because you be our frendes Because and because you be Englishemen that you wyll ioyne with vs as we wil with you vnto death in this behalfe protestyng vnto you before God that no other yearthly cause could moue vs vnto this enterprise but this alone wherein we seke no harme to the quene but better counsel couÌ„selours Such couÌ„selours he meaneth aâ— woulde fauour heresy ce which also we would haue forborne in all other thinges saue onely in this For herein lieth the helth welth of vs al. For trial herof manyfest profe of this intended purpose Lo now euen at hand Lo loud lie Spaniardes be nowe already ariued at Douer at one passage to the nombre of an hundreth passing vpwarde to London in companies of ten foure and vi with harnes harquebusses and morrians with match light the formest company wherof be already at Rochester We shall require you therfore to repaire to such places as the bearers hereof shal pronouÌ„ce vnto you there to assemble determine what may be best for y e aduauncement of
in their beddes or newlye rissen thought verely that either Wyat with his band had been in the towne or verie nere The thing was so soden happened in suche a tyme as men not acquainted w t like matters were so amased that some of them knewe not well what to do and yet in th end it proued to nothing for it grewe by a messenger that came verie late in the night desiringe too speake with the lorde Aburgaueny or maister shiriffe to giue them certaine aduertismeÌ„t that sir Henrie Isleie the twoo Kneuetes and certaine other with .v. C. weldishe menne were at Seuenocke and would merche in the morning from thence earlye towardes Rochester for the aide of Wyat againste the duke of Norff. and in theire way burne and destroy the house of George Clarke aforesaied A meaning of y e rebels to burne maister George Clarkes house Wherupon the lorde Aburgaueny and the sheriffe by thaduice of the gentilmeÌ„ afore named for that the saied Clarke had bene a painful and seruisable gentilman chauÌ„ged their purposed iourney froÌ„ Rochester to incounter with Isley and his bande to cutte them from Wyat saue Clarke from spoyle And so in the morninge earely beinge sundaye The lorde Aburgaueny the shiriffe The merching of the lord Aburgaueny and the shiriffe too incounter Isleye Warram Sentleger Richarde Couert Thomas Roydon Anthony Weldon Henrye Barnei George Clarke Iohan Dodge Tho. Watton Heughe Catlyn Thomas Henley Christopher Dorrell Heughe Cartwright Iohan Sybyll Esquiers Thomas Chapman Iames Barram Iasper Iden Iohan Lambe Walter Heronden Walter Taylor Iohan Raynoldes Thomas Tuttesham Iohan Allen and Thomas Holdiche gentilmen with yomen to the nomber of .vi. C. or ther aboute merched oute of Malling in order till they came to Wrotham heath where they mought easely here the sounde of the traitours drommes Wrotham heatheâ— and so makinge hast pursued them till they came to a place called Barrow grene Barrowe grene thorough which laye the right and redye waye that the traitours shoulde take merching from Seuenocke towardes maister Clarke The lord Aburgaueny beynge verye glad that he had preuented them in winning the grene sent out spialles to vnderstand their nerenesse and to discriue their numbre reposinge them selues there tyl the retourne of his spialles who at their comminge saide that he neded not to take further paynes to pursue them For thei were at hand commynge towardes him as fast as they could marche whiche was glad tidinges to the Lorde Aburgauenye and hys bande And taking order furthwith to sette his men in a raye he determined to abyde theyr commminge aud there to take or geue the ouerthrow Whiche the traytours vnderstandyng whether it was for y t they misliked the matche or the place to fight whiles the lord Aburgaueny and his band were busye in placing them selues The sâ—rinkynâ— of the rebelles they shrancke as secretlye as they coulde by a bye way And were so farre gone before the Lorde Aburgaueny vnderstode therof by his spialles as for doubte of ouertaking them afore their comming to Rochester he was driwen to make suche haste for the ouertakinge of them as diuers of his fote mâ—n were farre behinde at the onset geuing The first sighte that the Lorde Aburgaueny coulde haue of theÌ„ after they forsoke their purposed way was as they ascended Wrotham hyll directlye ouer Yaldam Maister Peckams house where they thinkinge to haue great aduauntage by the winning of y e hil displaied their ensignes brauelye The displaâ—â—yng of the rebell is ensignes semynge to be in great ruffe But it was not longe after or theyr corage was abated For the lord Aburgaueny the shyreffe and the rest of the gentlemen with such other of the queenes true and faythfull subiectes as with great paynes takinge to clyme the hyll and to holde waye with the horsemen The rebels ouertaken ouertoke the rebelles at a fielde called Blackesoll fielde in the parishe of Wrotham a mile distant froÌ„ the very top of the hyll Blackesolâ— fielde where the lorde Aburgaueny the shyreffe the gentlemen aforenamed and other the quenes true and faithfull subiectes handled them so hotte so fiersly y t after a smale shot w t longe bowes by the traytours The skyrmishe a fierse bragge shewed by some of the horsemen they tooke their flighte away as fast as they coulde Yet of them were taken prisoners aboue thre skore In this conflict Warram Sentleger who brought with him a good company of souldiours alwaies a seruisable gentlemaÌ„ also George Clarke Anthony Weldon and Richarde Clarke w t others did very honestly behaue theÌ„ selues WilliaÌ„ Sentleger hearing of a fraie towardes betwene the Queenes true Subiectes and the traitours came to the lord Aburgauenie into the field with all haste not an houre before the skirmishe who with the rest of the gentlemen with certaine of the Lorde Aburgauenyes and Shireffes â—eruauntes beinge all well horsed serued faithfullie and from â—hence chased the horsemen till thei came to a woode called Hartlei woode foure miles distant from the place where the onset beganne The chase 〈◊〉 the horse â—â—n The Queenes true subiectes did so much abhorre their treason and had the traitours in suche detestation as with greate difficultie anye escaped with life that were taken prisoners and yet were thei al verie wel armed weaponed and had also great aduantage by the place of fight Sir Henrie Iâ—sleye laye al that night in the woode and fleed after into HaÌ„pshire The two Kneuettes being wel horsed were so hastely pnrsued as thei were driuen to leaue theyr horse and crepe into the woode and for haste to rippe their bootes from their legges and runne awaie in thâ— vampage of their hose The chase continued so longe as nighte came on before it was full finished Thus was Iâ—â—ey the Kneuetes and their bande ouerthrowen by the faithfull seruice of diuers gentlemen and yomen seruinge vnder the lord Aburgaueny and the shyreffe whose forwardnesse corage and wisedome in this trayterous broyle no doubt was verye muche prayse worthie as wel for theyr spedie acceleration of their strength which consideryng how they were euery way compassed with the traitours was no small matter in so litle space and for their wise and politike handlinge also in kepinge them together from Wyat who merueylouslye and by sundrye wayes soughte to allure them away For had not they in their owne personne to the incouraginge of their companye aduentured farre and by theyr wisdome discretion and greate charge politikelye haÌ„dled the matter some thinke that Wyat had been at London before he was loked for by anye good man with no smale trayne whose iouruey was greatly hyndered and his companye very muche discomfited by this repulse geuen to Isleye and his band Where amongest other thinges Gods secret haÌ„d was greatly felt to y e great comfort present ayd of true subiectes against the traitours who hauinge suche aduauntage of the place as in
pompe and glory cariyng with him vi pieces of ordinauÌ„ce whiche they had gotten of the quenes besides their owne to Cowling castle a holde of the Lorde Cobhams foure myles distant from Rochester and not much out of their way towards London where the lord CobhaÌ„ was Wyat at his comming to Cowling castle bent his ordinaunce against the gate with great and sundry shottes fyre â—rake and burned vppe a waye â—hrough the gate The Lorde Cobham defended his castle as stoutly as any man might do hauing so fewe against so great a numbre and so litle munition him selfe discharging his gunne at suche as approched the gâ—te right hardely And in that assault two of his own men were slaine After this assault talk with the lorde Cobham Wyat marched to Grauesende where he reposed that night wyates marchiÌ„g to Dartforde From Grauesende he his bande marched the wednesday nexte after to Dartford where he reposed that night whether came sir Edwarde Hastinges maister of the Quenes horse and sir Thomas Cornewalles knightes The comming of the maister of the horse sir Thomas Cornewalles to Wyat. both of her graces honorable preuie counsell sent froÌ„ the qnene to Wyat tunderstand the cause of his commotion and â—lso as it was sayde finding any repentant submissioÌ„ in him to promise pardon or at the lest great hope therof Wyat vnderstaÌ„ding their coÌ„ming taking with him certen of his baÌ„d weÌ„t to the weast ende of the towne where he had planted his ordinauÌ„ce at the lighting of maister Hastinges sir Thomas Cornewalles froÌ„ their horsse Wyat hauing a parte sin in hys haÌ„d aduanced him selfe soÌ„what afore suche gentlemen as were with him Pridâ—â— vsing but litle reuerence due froÌ„ a subiect to couÌ„selours traced nere them to whoÌ„ the maister of the horsse spake in substaunce as foloweth The quenes maiestie requireth to vnderstand the very cause wherfore you haue thus gathered together in armes her liege people whiche is the part of a traitour and yet in your proclamations and persuasions you call your selfe a true subiecte which can not stande together I am no traitor quod Wyat the cause wherfore I haue gathered the people is to defend the realme froÌ„ oueruÌ„ning by straungers whiche muste folowe this mariage takinge place why ê™ the queenes agentes there be no strangers yet come whome eyther for power or nuÌ„bre ye nede to suspect But if this be your only quarrell because ye mislike the mariage wyl ye come to communication touching that case and the quene of her gracious goodnes is content ye shal be hearde Wyates arrogant aunâ—â—â—â—â—â— To whom Wyat shaped 〈…〉 declare his malicious entent traiterous heart to the quenes owne person and royall estate I yelde therto quod Wyat but for my suertie I wyl rather be trusted then trust And therfore I demaunde the custodie of the tower her grace in the tower the displacing of certen couÌ„sellers and placing other in their rowmes as to me shall seeme best Upon this leude answere long stout coÌ„ference was betwene them In so muche that the maister of the horsse said vnto him with a sâ—out corage wyat before thou shalt haue that thy traiterous demauÌ„de grauÌ„ted thou shalt die and xx M. with thee Shortly after the maister of y e horsie with maister Cornewalles finding him an arrant traitour desperatly set to al mischiefe retourâ—ed to the quenes maiestie The coÌ„moÌ„ people being with him calling to their remeÌ„brance how Wyat in al apparance made his whol matter of styr for straÌ„gers no waies against the quene perceiuing how vnreuerently he vsed him selfe aswel to y â— quenes harrold at Rochester as to y â— priuie couÌ„sel at Dartford coÌ„sidering w t theÌ„ selues also that he wold suffer none of the quenes proclamatioÌ„s to be read amoÌ„g them their heartes began to rise against him And among theÌ„ selues suÌ„drie of theÌ„ much murmured wisshinge with the losse of al thei had thei had neuer been acquainted with Wyat nor his doinges and in dede sought as â—any waies as thei could to be rid of him Whiche perceiued by â—â—at and his mates they deuisâ—d a brute to be sounded in his hande that the lorde Aburâ—aueny A craftie policie the shireffe did cause to be hanged as many as they câ—â—lde take coming froÌ„ Wyates â—â—nde Wherewith the people sâ—â—â—â—ing in a great mase what tâ— do were wonderfullye perâ—â—â—â—ed The queene vnderstanâ—â—â—â— by the master of the horsse â—nd sir Thomas Cornewalles the arrâ—gancie of Wyat and â—otwithstanding that she perceyued her merciful inclination rather to prouoke him then otherwise yet semed she nothing willinge euen then by violence and force as she easly mought tâ— suppresse him But yet a longer time to suffer and abide by delay and mercy her enemy mought be wonne to reconciliation The nobilitie whiche werâ— at that time with her grace The suit of the nobles to the quene peâ—â—ceiuinge such surmounting mercie rather to increase then anyâ— wayes to abate courage malice in the insolent and proudâ— heart of thâ— traytours and further vnderstandinge that the traitours demed the conâ—ation or forbearing to procede ratheâ— of debilitie feare then oâ— mercye and clemencye counselled with her grace that wiâ—â— her gracious leaue and licence they mought seâ— vpon him and his baÌ„de before he should passâ— Blacke heath declaring that to suffre suche an arrogant traytour beinge but a meane â—â—mâ—er to approche thus contempâ—â—â—uslye so nere her royall perâ—on as it were in defiaunce of â—er grace her true subiectes â—houlde greatlye redounde to their dishonours in the opinion of all faithfull men thoroughout the world The Quenes answer to the nobles The quene gaue them all moste heartie and louing thankes sayinge that she nothinge doubted of their true heartes towarde her Yet was she lothe to make anye profe or triall therof in suche quarell as shoulde be with losse of bloude For to represse them with violence and subdue them by the sworde coulde not haue so happie successe but manye of my pore subiectes quod she should derelye bye it with the losse of their liues Wherfore she determined to suffer as longe as she mought and to forbeare that practise tyl there were no other hope ne remedie For albeit in the capitall traytours therâ— coulde be but great default yet in the multitude she was persuaded to be no malice but onlye misled by their captaynes and rather seduced by ignoraunce then vpon any euyl purpose ment to her grace Wherfore she desired them to be contented for she was fully determined to continue her mercifull sufferaunce and other her gentle meanes soo longe as shee mought and vanquish her enemies without the sword if any sparâ—le of obedience or naturall zeale remaine in their heartes Notwithstanding she required 〈◊〉 to prepare and retayne 〈◊〉 force in a readines if their â—â—â—â—e heartes should driue her 〈◊〉 vse extremitie But her highnes
doubtynge 〈◊〉 London beinge her chamber and a citie holden of dere price in her princelye hearte â—ight by Wyat and suche Rufâ—ens as were with him bee in daunger of spoyle to the vtter ruyne of the same her highnes therefore as a moste tender and louinge gouernesse went the same daye in her royall person to the guilde halle to forsee those perylles where amonge other matters procedinge from her incomparable wisedome The Quenes speâ—he in the guild halle in London her grace declared how she had sent that day two of her priuie counsell to the traitour Wyat desireous rather to quiet thyâ— tumulte by mercie then by iustice of the sword to vanquishe whose most godly heart fraight with all mercie clemencie abhorred froÌ„ al effusion of bloud Her highnes also there shewed the insolent and proud answere retourned from Wyat. Wherat the faithful citezens wer much offended and in playne termes defied him as a most ranke traitour with all his coniurates And touching the mariage her highnes affirmed that nothing was done therin by her selfe alone but with consent and aduisement of the whole counsell vpon deliberate consultation that this coniunction and seconde mariage shoulde greatly aduaunce this realme whereâ—nto she was firste maried to much honour quiet and gaine For quod her grace I am alreadie maried to this commonwâ—ale and y e faythful membres of the same the spousall rynge whereof I haue on my fynger which neuer hitherto was nor shal hereafter be leaft of Protesâ—inge vnto you nothinge to be more acceptable to my hart nor more aunswereable to my wyl then youre aduauncement in wâ—alth and welfare with thâ—â—â—â—theraunce of Gods glorye â—nd to declare her tender and princely heart towardes them â—he promised constantlye not to dâ—part from them although by her counsell she had been muche â—â—ued to the contrarye but woulde râ—maine nere prest to aduenture the spense of her royall bloude in defense of them Suche matter passed from her besides as did so wonderfullye â—â—amour the heartes of the heaâ—ers as it was a world to heare with what shoutes they exalted the honour and magnanimitie of Queene Mary This done her grace retourned towardes white hall and passinge thorowe the streates beinge full of people pressynge to beholde her grace wherein they hadde singular delite and pleasure One amongest all moste imâ—udent of all others stepped fourth sayinge A male part artificer youre grace maye doe well to make youre forewarde in battayll of your Byshoppes and Priestes for they be trusty and wyll not â—â—â—eyue you For whiche wordes he was commaunded to â—ewgate who deserued to be â—â—nged at the nexte boughe for â—xample of all other so impudentlye and arrogantlye to assaulte hys Soueraygne and Queene with suche seditious and trayterous language The voyce went y t he was an hosier out of al doubte he was a traitour an heretike whose â—eart was whollye in Wyates bosome althoughe hys bodye was abseÌ„tâ— For it was not possible any faithful subiect or true christian to vtter suche shamelesse speche to his liege Ladye and Princesse as he dyd then But suche is the fruite of heresie contempt of God and man as by dayly experience is seene The Thursdaye nexte after Wyat hauing xliij ensignes in his bande Wyates marchinge to Detford strande and not paste foure thousande men although they were accompted of a far greater numbre marched to Detforde strande eight miles from Dartforde and within foure miles of London Where vpon suche aduerâ—isement as he receyued by spiall of the queenes beinge in the Guilde hall and the order of the people to her he remained that night and the next whole daye diuerse of his owne companye doubtinge by his longer tarâ—ynge there then he did in other places with other presuÌ„ptions that he wolde haue passed the water in to Essex His prisoners as maâ—â—â—er Christopher Roper George Dorrel of Calehil Iohn Tucke Esquiers The departing of maister Christopher Rop. and maister Dorrel froÌ„ Wyat. who were kepte verye straitlye beinge sickelye and hauinge within the towne no conuenient harborowe or attendaunce were licensed by Wyat vpon promisse of theyr wurshyppe to bee trewe prisoners to prouide for them selues out â—rom the towne where they best might But they thinking no part of their worshyppe stained in breakiÌ„g promise with a traitour soughte wayes to escape came no more at him On the Saterdaye folowinge verye earlye Wyates marchinge to Soâ—thwarke Wyat marched to Southwarke wher approchinge the gate at London bridge fote called for the openinge of the same whiche he founde not so readie as he loked for After he had been a litle while in Southwarke diuerse of the souldiers wente to Winchester place where one of them beinge a gentleman beganne to shewe hys game before all the cardes were full dealed I meane to riffâ—e and spoyle whiche in dede was the determinate ende of theyr purpose but the time was not yet come not thei come to the place where they shoulde beginne it Whervnto Wyat hauynge further respecte then the younge gentleman hadde shewed hym selfe with sterne and fiery visage so muche to bee offended with his doinges that he made diuers beleue that he woulde haue hanged him vppon the wharffe Whiche wherof it grewe eyther of hatred to the euill or of pollicie to purchace credite to a further mischeif as wel the nature and course of rebellion as also Wyates owne wordes may easly let vs tunderstand Who the mondaye nexte afore his sturre deuising with two of his freÌ„des for the execution of his pretended purpose one of theÌ„ at leÌ„gth said vnto him I haue no doubt but you shal be able to assemble a great force but howe you shal be able to continue the same with you hauing not sufficient treasure and monye the onlye baite wherwith the multitude is holdeÌ„ I stand much in doubt what then quod Wyatâ— Marye saied the other me thinketh a good waye for your prouision therof after youre force is once gathered that ye apprehend the lorde Warden the lorde Aburgaueny sir Robert Southwel sir Thomas Moyle with other of whose heartes and affection towarde you and your case you stande in doubt wherby ye shal not onlye haue them in saftie whiche are most like within the shire to withstande your enterprise but also prouide you bothe treasure and money which they wante not for the relief of your bande Ah quod Wyat is this the best counsell ye can geue If we pretende to kepe out strauÌ„gers begyn our quarel with the spoile of our owne countreymeÌ„ what wil the whole realme trowe ye then deme of vs Nay your aduice is nought youre waye the nexte waye to accelerate our confusion For if we will go forwarde in our matter and make the best of it to our purpose spoile and tirannye may not be our guides We must by all meanes deuise and al litle inoughe to coÌ„tinue good opinion in the heades of the multitude of some
plausible ende to succede by our sturre otherwise we vndoe our selues For perceiuinge at our entrie y t our myndes runne of spoile who wil not rather resist vs abide the adueÌ„ture of that wherof we beare them in hande then to be in certeine to be spoyled by vs And I see no cause whye you shoulde doubte of want of money seinge ye knowe that suche gentlemen as are confedered with vs keping appointment their souldiours shall come redie furnished to beare theire owne charges for .ix. dayes and our happe shall be verie harde if we be not at London shortlye after we stirre and that with so great a company as shal be oute of daunger to be stopped by any of the shire vpon suche a soden or letted of entrie into London finding halfe the frindes there as we thinke to haue Wyates rekening of y e spoile of the tower and London And being ones in London hauinge the tower in our haÌ„des I trust you thinke we shall not lacke money longe after if any be to be had there or in the Aldermens coffers To that saied the other that hadde spoken as yet neuer a worde I knowe commoners in London that haue more redy money then some of the Aldermenne Softe quod Wyat I praye you in any wyse forbeare all suche talke till we come to y e place wher we would be In mean time let vs worke secretly and by all tokens and signes shewe our selues to fauoure and mainteine oure pretence of straungers only Such and the lyke coÌ„munication was betwene Wyat and two other the mondaye before his rysing Wherby is euident that theire finall entent was to aduaunce them selues by spoyle of other menâ—es goodes although they pretended otherwise And to coloure the same Wyat so fell out with this geÌ„telman for riffling the lorde Chauncelours house that he made a number beleue he woulde haue hanged him out of hande had not Bret and other entreated for him When thei had lien in Southwarke a day or two and fouÌ„de them selues deceiued in LondoÌ„ whiche by the greate diligence and politike handlinge of that worthye and faiethfull knighte the lorde William Haward Admiral of England The Lorde WilliaÌ„ Haward admiral of Englande that had the speciall charge therof with the aide of sir Iohn Whight knight maiour of LondoÌ„ his brethern and citezens was so well preserued as the traitours therby were disappointed of that they loked moost certenly for Wyat as a man desperate and setting all the sixe and seuen aduenturing the breaking downe of a wall out of an house ioyning to the gate at the bridge foote Wyates coÌ„â—minge into the porters lodge at y e bridge fote wherby he moughte enter into the leades ouer the gate came downe into the lodge aboute a leauen of the clocke in the night where he founde the porter in a slomber Care away and his wife with other wakinge watchinge a cole But seing Wyat they began sodenly to start as greatly amased Whist quod Wyat as you loue your lyues sit you still you shal haue no hurt Gladde were they of that warrant pardye What should they do people better accustomed with y e tankerd of beere to passe furth the night then acquainted with target and speare to indure to fight Wyat a fewe with him went furthe as farre as the drawe bridge on the further side wherof he sawe the lorde Admirall the lorde Maiour sir Andrewe Iudde and one or two other in consultation for ordering of the bridge wherunto he gaue diligent eare a good time and not seene At length conceiued by their talke moore then he could digest perceauinge the great ordinaunce there bent retorned saiynge to his mates this place is to hotte for vs. And when he was come to his colleges and declaringe vppon this exployte what he had hearde and seene they then altogether fell to a newe counsell what was to be done The rebels at their wittes ende Some woulde then retourne to Grenewiche and so passe by water into Eliex wherby their company as â—hey thought shoulde encrease and inter into London by Algate And some woulde to Kingston vpon Teames and so further West And some of the whiche Wyat him selfe was chiefe wold retourne into Kent to meâ—te with the Lorde Aburgauenâ—e the Lorde Warden the shyreffe sir Thomas Moyle sir Thomas KeÌ„pe sir Thomas Finch that were at Rochester coÌ„ming on Wyates backe w t a great coÌ„â—pany wel appoynted falsly persuading him selfe y t he shuld find amonge them mo frendes then enemies But whether his desyre to returne into Kent grew vpon hope he hadde to fynde ayd there or whether it was to shifte him selfe awaye it was much doubted of his owne companye And some of them that knewe him well excepte they were muche deceyued reported not longe before their execution that his desier to retire into Kent was onelye to shyfte hym selfe ouer the sea The Lorde Warden beynge nowe come to Rochester as ye hearde The Lorde Wardens beinge at Rochester towardes Wyat. and verye honourably furnished with horse and men well appoynted to no smale nuÌ„bre enteringe in consultation with suche gentlemen as were there for the better procedynge in their seruice shewed a great desier to accelerate the onset vpon the traitours least malice shuld impute both his former present staye rather to want of forwardnesse then to good policie Wherefore he desyred to pursue after them with all expeditioÌ„ Whervnto y e gentlemen then being in armes with him sayde As for your Lordshyps contation hetherto it shal be weyed not as fooles by fansye malice deme but as wyse meÌ„ shall measure it by theyr discretion of wisdom We see not but vnaduised hardinesse preproperous haste in moste matters haue these two coÌ„panions Errour in the beginning Repeâ—tauÌ„ce in y e end And for this our case who so vnderstandeth the same can not but confesse your lordships deliberate forbearing to haue proceded of great wysdome as wherin hast coulde litel preuayle And wheras your lordshippe is so dâ—sirous to pursue after Wyat and his bande you see howe they haue lyen in Southworke and within four miles of London these foure dayesâ— and yet not medled with by the queenes armie beyng so nere Which is neither for want of men nor of forwardnesse in that noble gentleman the earle of Penbroke the queenes leiuetenant The earle of Penbroke the quenes leuetenaunt but vpon greate policie further respecte no doubt then we seeme to conceyue Wherfore your lordshippe may doe better to pause and fyrst to aduertise the queenes maiestie and the lord leiuetenaunt both what your lordeshyppe vpon graue and depe consideration hath conceyued in this doubtfull time and also in what readinesse your lordshippe is and other gentlemen with you whose pleasures knowen we maye then happelye procede in seruice bothe with good conteâ—â—tacion to them aboue and best suertie for our selues Otherwise if fortune shoulde not fauour our iourneye
dede thei hadde were lyke rather to giue then receiue so foule an ouerthrowe But this it is you see to serue in a true cause and her whome God so fauoureth that he wyll â—ot suffer the malice and rage of her enemies at anye tyme to preuâ—ile against her to whome he hath giuen so many â—otable victories and soo miraculousâ— that her enemies mighte seme rather to haue ben ouerthrowâ— Spiritu Deiâ— then vanqueshed humaâ—o robore The lorde Aburgaâ—eny the shiriffe and the gentilmen with them Thankeâ— geuen too GOD foâ— victorie after they had geuen humble thankes to God for the victorie whiche they did verie reuerentlie in the fielde taken ordre for the prisoners were driueÌ„ to deuide theÌ„ selâ—es for want of harboroughe and vittaâ—le for the souldiours that had well deserued bothe The lorde Aburgaueny and certen with him went to Wrotham The shiriffe certen with him to Otforde where they hadde muche to doo to get vittaile for â—â—â—ir souldiours The lorde Aburgaueny and the shiriffe suâ—pecâ—â—ng that some of those genâ—â—lmen lately discoÌ„â—â—ted in this â—â—irmishe woulde not longe tarie in the realme but make shift to passe the seas yea and by spâ—â—all vnderstandinge Wyat him selfe with some of his company therunto bent deuised to layâ— the countree aboute that they mought not escape And considering that they woulde not do it at Douer nor in that coste they knowing the lorde Warden to haue suche watche vnto them but rather for sundrie respectes at Rye or more southward and hauinge greate proufe of Thomas Dorrell the yonger his fidelitie Thomas Dorrell of Scotney yÌ„e yonger he retorned the same Dorrel being newly come vnto him with ixxx men well appointed into Sussex geuing him streight charge that conâ—ulting with sir Iohan Guyldforde they should both day and night sâ—t sure watche for the passinge of aâ—y that waie to the sea coâ—t further to take suche ordre as no mâ—â—itâ—d fishe wine or other vitaile comming out of those partes should passe to the releâ—f of the traitors Anthony Kneuet notwithstanding great and streight watche layed rouÌ„de about the countree by the shiriffe for thapprehension of him and other that fled arriued that sundaye at nighte late at Rochester where his newes were so ioyful Harpers running aâ—aye from Wyat. that Harper furthwith found the meane to ridde him selfe out of their coÌ„â—pany without any leaue taking and ran to the duke of Norff. to whome he semed so greatlyâ— to lament his treason that the duke peteinge his case the rather for the longe acquaintauÌ„câ— betweâ—e them in tymes paste receiued him too grace But within a day after he ran from the duke and retourned to hys olde mate as hereafter shal appere Wyat hearing of Isleye his ouerthrowe and vndertandinge by the proceding at Mallinge the day before that those thinges sette furthe in his proclamations wherby he thought his strength at home to be most surely knit vnto him were now become rather a weakenninge then otherwise the people there being redie to fall from him for his so abusinge of them he fell into so great extreme anguishe and sorowe as writing a letter of expostulation to some of his familiars abrode in reprehension of theire infidelitie in that they sticked not to him soo fast as they promised Wyats bewaiâ—ing his case with teares he bedewed the paper wherupon he wrotte with teares issuing so abundaÌ„tlye from his eyes as it woulde beare no inke and so leauing to write calling for a preuie cote that he had quilted with angels not longe afore Wyatscote of feÌ„ce quilted with aungelles which mought serue bothe for his defense and refuge for his necessitie being in a nother countree he practised with suche as were nere vnto him where they mought haue redie passage and most for their suretie to take the sea Wyates practise to flye by sea For Englande saied he is no place for vs to rest in His company also shranke froÌ„ him as fast as they could deuise meanes to escape wherunto Thomas Isleye and others hadde a greater respecte theÌ„ him selfe he seming to take care for nothinge but howe he mought safelyâ— conuey him selfe beinge well frended as it was thought with some of the shipmaisters Wyat mated Thus was Wyat so mated by the lorde Aburgaueny the shiriffe and their bande as he was at his wittes ende as ye haue heard and cheifely by kepynge him from that whiche by spiall about him they afterwarde vnderstode him specially to desire whiche was offer of battaile he and his beinge fully persuaded that there coulde be no greate force raised against him in the shire whereof the moost parte should not be his when it should come to the shewe Wherin although he mought be deceiued as in dede he was yet his quarrell with the disposition of the people therunto well considered with the end of his traueil whiche coulde be but spoyle and rauen redye meanes and lures to drawe the careles multitude vnto him It semed to the lorde Aburgaueny suche as serued with him better pollicie to werie Wyat and weaken him by the cutting away of his streÌ„gth from him then to offer him battaile til the duke of Norffolkes comminge whome the lorde Aburgaueny the shiriffe knewe to be at hande towardes Wyat vnto whom thei and all the gentilmen of their band after their skirmishe with Isley made the haste possible they myghte But before their comminge the case was wonderfully chauÌ„ged to the great descomforte of all the quenes true subiectes and that came to passe that of al meÌ„ was lest feared For who was it that suspected suche cruell malitious disposition to remaine in any Englishe heart towardes his countree in anye subâ—ectes thought towarde his Soueraygne that receyuyng her graces armoure weapon and moneye woulde haue plaied so traiterous a part as these captaynes did with their bandâ— It is so straunge a case as the world neuer saw It is so malicious a part as the Iew would not haue done the like hauynge receyued hys hyre to serue So it was that the noble Duke beinge an auncient and worthy captayne yet by long imprysonment so diswonted from the knowledge of our malicious world the iniquitie of our tyme as he suspectinge nothinge lesse than that whiche folowed but iudgynge euerye man to accorde with him in defier to serue truelye marched furthe the Mondaye aboute tenne of the clocke in the mornynge from Grauesende to strowde towardes Rochester and aboute foure of the clocke in the after noone of the same day he arriued at strowde nere vnto Rochester The dukes marchinge froÌ„ strowde to Rochest hauinge wyth him the captayne of the garde Griffith Morgan nowe bishop of Rochester The names of the gentlemen seruing vnder the duke Sir Edwarde Braye syr Iohn Fogge knightes Iohn Couerte Roger Appulton esquiers and Thomas Swan gentleman with certayne of the garde and other to the numbre of CC. or there aboute besides Bret and other