thinke it so and if they love you you have enough you cannot Capitulate not treat with your rebells without hazarding your honour and perhaps your royall faith if you yeild to the force of one sedition your whole life and reigne will be nothing but a continuation of broyles and tumults if you assert your soveraigne authority betimes not onely these doults these sots but all men else will reverence you remember Sir God by whom lawfull Princes reigne whose vicegerent you are would not forgive rebellion in Angels you must not trust the face Petitions delivered you upon Swords points are fatall if you allow this custome you are ruined as yet Sir you may be obeyed as much as you please Of this opinion was Sir Robert Hales Lord Prior of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem newly Lord Treasurer of England a magnanimous and stout Knight but not liked by the Commons When this resolution was known to the Clownes they grow starke mad they bluster they sweat to seek out the Kings Traitours for such now they must go for No man was either good or honest but he who pleased them the Archbishop and Lord Prior to chop off their Heads here they might be trusted they were likely to keep their words Here upon without more consideration they advance toward London not forgetting to burne and rase the Lawyers and Courtiers houses in the way to the Kings honour no doubt which they will be thought to Arme for Sir Iohn Froissart and others report this part thus which probably might follow after this refusall The Rebells say they sent their Knight so they called him yet was he the Kings Knight for Tyler came not up to dubbing we finde no Sir Iohn nor Sir Thomas of his making Sir Iohn Moton to the King who was then in the Tower with his Mother his halfe brothers Thomas Holland Earle of Kent after Duke of Surry and the Lord Holland the Earles of Salisbury Warwick and Oxford the Archbishop Lord Prior and others The Knight casts himselfe downe at the Kings feet beseeches him not to looke upon him the worse as in this quality and imployment to consider he is forced to doe what he does He goes on Sir the Commons of this Realme those few in Armes comparatively to the rest would be taken for the whole desire you by me to speake with them Your Person will be safe they repute you still their King this deserved thanks but how long the kindnesse will hold we shall soone finde they professe that all they had done or would doe was for your honour For your glory your honour and security are their great care they will make you a glorious King fearfull to your enemies and beloved of your Subjects they promise you a plentifull and unparallell'd revenue They will maintâ—…ine your power and authority in relation to the Lawes with your royal person according to the duty of their allegeance their protestation their vow their solemne League and Covenant without diminishing your just power and greatnesse and that they will all the dayes of their lives continue in this Covenant against all opposition They assure you Sir That they intend faithfully the good of your Majesty and of the Kingdome and that they will not be diverted from this end by any private or selfe-respects whatsoever But the Kingdome has been a long time ill governed by your Uncles and the Clergy especially by the Archbishop of Canterbury of whom they would have an account They have found out necessary Counsels for you they would warne you of many things which hitherto you have wanted good advise in The conclusion was sad on the Knights part His Children were pledges for his returne and if he faile in that their lives were to answer it Which moved with the the King He allowes the excuse sends him back with this answer that he will speake with the Commons the next Morning which it should seeme the report of the outrages done by the Clownes upon his refusall this Message made him consent to At the time he takes his Barge is rowed downe to Redriffe the place nearest the Rebells ten thousand of them descend from the Hill to see and treat with him with a resolution to yeild to nothing to overcome by the Treaty as they must have done had not the Kings feare preserved him When the Barge drew nigh the new Câ—…uncell of state sayes out Knight howled and shouted as though all the Devills of Hell had been amongst them Sir Iohn Moton was brought toward the River guarded they being determined to have cut him in pieces if the King had broke his promise All the desires of these good and faithfull Counsellours contracted suddenly into a narrow roome they had now but one demand The King askes them what is the matter which made them so earnestly sollicit his Presence They have no more to say but to intreat him to land Which was to betray himselfe to them to give his Life and Soveraignty up to those fickle Beasts to be held of them during their good pleasures which the Lords will not agree to The Earle of Salisbury of the antient Nobility and illustrious house of Montacute tells them their equipage and order were not comely and that the King ought not to adventure amongst their troopes They are now more unsatisfied and London how true soever to the Cause and faithlesse to the Prince shall feele the effects of their fury Southwark a friendly borough is taken up for their first quarters Here againe they throw downe the Malignants Houses and as a grace of their entrance breake up the Kings prisons and let out all those they finde under restraint in them not forgetting to ransack the Archbishops house at Lambeth and spoyle all things there plucking downe the Stews standing upon the Thames banke and allowed in the former ages It cannot be thought but that the Idol loved Adultery well enough but perhaps these publick bawdy-houses were too uncleane and might stinke in his nostrils we cannot finde him anywhere quarelling with the Beares those were no Malignants They knocked not long at the City-gates which some say were never shut against them or as others quickly opened The Citizens fancyed themselves privy Counsellours borne inspired from their shoppes for affaires of State and would not suppose the Reformation could be effected without them they were rich by lyes and all the most sordid wayes of falshood and must be sage and knowing pride the first sinne the Devill taught man tickles them The Major Sir William Waleworth whose memory while truth and loyalty shall be thought virtues must be honourable and nine of the Aldermen held for King Richard in vaine a prosperous wicked chief shall never want wicked instruments Three Aldermen and the greatest part of the people for the King of the Commons the Idol and his Priests Those the considers and well affected to Tyler forbid their Major to keep him out owne his actions as done
keepe company with the Priors and chiefe Justices Walter of Todington a Monke was sought for they wanted his head but he hid himselfe and escaped Our hacksters errant of the round Table Knights of industry would be thought Generall redeemers to take care of all mâ—…nin distresse For the Burgesses sake they command the Monkes threatning them and their walls if they obey not to deliver up all the obligations of the Towns-men for their good behaviour all the antient Charters from the time of King Cnut the Founder any way concerning the liberties of the Town besides they must grant and confirmâ—… by Charter the Liberties of the Towne which could not be done in the vacancy for so it was Edmund of Brumfield Abbot in name by provision of the Pope was a prisoner at Notingham nor had any election beene since the death of Abbot Iohn Brivole and therefore the Jewels of the house are pawned to the Townsmen as a gâ—… that Edmund of Brumfield whom they would suppose Abbot and whom they intended to set free should Seals which Jewels were a Crosse and Calice of Gold with other things exceeding in value one thousand pounds these were restored againe in time of peace but with much unwillingnesse Upon the brute of the Idolâ—… mishap and the suppression of his Legions at London these Caterpillers dissolve of themselves Wraw the Priest Westbrome the rest of the capitall villeins in the generall audit or doomesday for these hurliburlies shall be called to a reckoning for their outrages Cambridge suffered not a little in these uproars the Towns-men with the Country peasants about confederated together breake up the treasury of the Universiâ—…y tear and burn its Charters they compell the Chancelour and Schollars under their common Seals to release to the Major and townsmen all rights and Liberties all actions and to be bound in 3000â—… not to molest the Burgesses by sâ—…its of Law concerning these things for the time to come The Mayor and Bailiffs were fetched up by writ to the next Parl. where the deeds were delivered up and Cancelled the Liberties of the towne seized into the Kings hand as forfeited new ones granted by him to the University all which they owe yet to the piety of this King and his Parliament a Court which the Idol never names had he set up one of his owne bâ—…getting it must have had nothing else but the name it would have beene as destroying as the field Norfolke the Mother of the Kets would not loyter this while nor sit lazily and sluggishly looking on Iohn Litster a Dyer of Norwich King of the Commons there infuses zeale and daring into his Country-men he had composed out of his owne Empire and the borders an Army of fifty thousand Men This upstart Kingling would not wholly move by example hâ—… makes presidents of his owne and tramples not like a dull beast the râ—…ad beaten by others He had heard what was done by the London Congregations he had a stock of traditions from the Elders there which he was able to improve and although I know not how he could exceed the Idol with his councell yet so the Monk exceede them he did he presumed greater things Tyler lost his life before things were ripe was watched and undermined by the King and Nobility he could not spread his full saâ—…les else for his presumption he far out-goes Litster Litster the Norfolke Devil begins with plunder and rapine the onely way to flâ—…sh a young Rebellion The Malignants of the Kings party the rich and peaceable goe under that notion are made a prey no place was safe or priviledged Plots were laid to get the Lord William of Ufford Earle of Suffolke at his Mannor of Ufford neer Debenham in Suffolke into the company out of policy That if the cause succeeded not then the Rebels might cover themselves under the shadow of that Peere The Earle warned of their intention rises from Supper and disguised as a Groom * of Sir Roger of Bois with a Port-mantue behind him riding by-waies and about ever avoiding the routs comes to St. Albanes and from thence to the King The Commons Failing here possesse themselves of the places and houses of the Knights neare and compell the owners to sweare what they list and for greater wariness to ride the Country over with them which they durst not deny among those inthralled by this compulsion were the Lords Scales and Morley Sir Iohn Brews Sir Stephanâ—… of Hales and Sir Robert of Sallâ—… which last was no Gentleman borne but as full of honour and loyalty as any man Knighted by the Kings Grand-father for his valour he was sayes Froissart one of the biggest Knights in England a man not supple enough who could not bend before the new Lords He had not the solidity of judgement as some more subtle than honest call it to accommodate himselfe to the times Like Messala he would be of the Justest side let the fortune be what it would he would not forsake Justice under colour of following prudence he thought it not in vaine to prop up the falling Government perhaps his judgement may be blamed he stayed not for a fit time had he not failed here he had not â—…ought against heaven against providence whose counsells and decrees are hid from us are in the clouds not to be pierced our understanding is as weake as foolish as providence is certein and wise Our hopes and feares deceive us alike we cannot resolve our selves upon any assurance to forsake our duty for the time to come Gods designes are knowne onely to himselfe It is despaire not piety despair too farre from that to leave our Country in her dangerous diseases in her publick calamities the insolency of injust men is a prodigie of their ruine and the incerteinty of thingâ—… humane may teach us that those we esteeme most established most assured are not seldome soonest overthrownâ—… Plato would not have men refer all things to fate there is somewhat in our selves sayes he not a little in fortune Ours are but cockfights the least remainder of force and life may strike a necking blow and by an unlooked for victory raise what is falne if death cannot be kept off if our Country cannot be saved by our attempts there is a comlinesse in dying handsomly nor can any man be unhappy but he who out-lives it We have heard of Women who cast themselves into the fiery pits where their dead husbands are consumed of Vassals who stab themselves to follow their Prince into the next world of Othoâ—… Praetorians of the Saguntines burning in their Cities flames What can be so honourable as to dye for or with our Countrey or Faith our Religion or Honesty to die with that which gave us life and liberty and sense of these Litsters Hog-herds vow to burne Norwich unlesse this Knight will come out to them which he does well mounted and forsakes his Horse to please them They seem to honour him highly and offer
indangered and fatally tied to the same chain might make him weary of the World and that he couâ—…d now die with more quiet of conscience than ever a quiet whâ—…ch these Patricides will not finde when they shall pay the score of this and their other crimes However the flattery of successe may abuse our death-bed represents things in their owne shape and as they are after this the rout of Wolves enter pâ—…ophane'y roaring whâ—…re is the Traitour where is the Robber of the Common-people He answers not â—…oubled at what he saw or heard Yee are welcome my Sonnes I am the Archbishop whom you seek neither Traitour nor Robber Presently these 〈◊〉 of the Devill griping him with their wicked clutches teare him out of the Chappell neither reverencing the Altar nor Crucifix figured on the top of his Crosier nor the Host these are the Monkes observations for which he condemnes them in the highest impiety and makes them worse than Divells and as Religion went then well he might condemne them so They dragge him by the Armes and hood to Tower hill without the Gates there they howle hideously which was the signe of a mischiefe to follow He askes them what it is they purpose what is his offence tells them he is their Archbishop this makes him guilty all his eloquence his Wisdome are now of no use he addes the murder of their Soveraigne Pastour will be severely punished some notorious vengeance will suddenly follow it These destroyers will not trouble themselves with the idle formality of 〈◊〉 mock-trial or Court of their own erecting an abominable Ceremony which had made their impiety more ugly they proceed down tight and plainly which must be instead of all things He is commanded to lay his neck upon the block as a false traitour to the Commonalty and Realm To deale roundly his life was forfeited and any particular charge or defencâ—… would not be necessary his enemies were his Accusers and Judgeâ—… his enemies who had combined and sworne to abolish his order the Church and spoile the sacred patrimony and what innocency what defence could save Without any reply farther he forgives the Heads-man and bowes his Body to the Axe After the first hit he touches the wound with his hand and speakes thus It is the Hand of the Lord The next stroke falls upon his hand ere he could remove it and cuts off the tops of his fingers after which he fell but died not till the eight blow his body lay all that day unburied and no wonder all men were throughly scared under the tyranny of these Monsters all Humanity all Piety were most unsafe The Archbishop dyed a Martyr of loyalty to his King and has his miracles Recorded an honour often bestowed by Monkes friends of Regicide and Regicides on Traitours seldome given to honest men In his Epitaph his riming Epitaph where is showne the pittifull ignorant rudenesse of those times he goes for no lesse he speakes thus Sudburiae natus Simon jacet hic tumulatus Martyrizatus nâ—…ce pro republica stratus Sudburies Simon here intombed lies Who for the Commonwealth a Martyr dies It is fit sayes Plato that he who would appeare a iust man become naked that his virtue be despoiled of all ornament that he be taken for a wicked man by others wicked indeed that he be â—…ocked and hanged The wisest of men tell us †There is a just man that perisheth in his â—…ghteousnesse and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednesse The Seas are often calme to Pirates and the scourges of God the executioners of his fury the Gothes Hunnes and Vandalls heretofore Tartars and Turkes now how happy are their Robberies how doe all thingâ—… succeed with them beyond their wishâ—… Our Saviours Passion the great mysterie of his Incarnation lost him to the Jâ—…wes his Murtherers Whereupon Grotius notes It is often permitted by God that pious men be not onely vexed by wicked men but murdered too He gives exâ—…mples in Abel Isaiah and others the MESSIAH dyed for the sins of the world Ethelbert and Saint Edmund the East-Angles Saint Oswald the Northumbrian Saint Edward the Monarch c. Saxon Kings are examples at home Thucydides in his narration of the defeat and death of Nician the Athenian in Sycily speaks thus Being the man who of all the Grecians of my time had least deserved to be brought to so great a degree of misery It is too frequent to proclaim Gods Judgments in the misfortunes of others as if we were of the Celestiall Councell had seen all the Wheels or Orbs upon which Providence turns and knew all the reasons and ends which direct and govern its motions men love by a strange abstraction to separate Facts from their Crimes where the fact is beneficiall the advantage must canonize it it must be of heavenly off-spring a way to justifie Cain Abimelech Phocas our third Richard Ravilliac every lucky parricide whatsoever Alexander Severus that most excellent Emperour assassinated by the Militia or Souldiery by an ill fate of the Common-wealth for Maximinus a Thracian or Goth. Lieutenant Generall of the Army a cruell Savage tyrant by force usurped the Empire after him Replyed to one who pretended to foretell his end That it troubled him not the most renowned persons in all ages die violently This gallant Prince condemned no death but a dishonest fearfull one Heaven it selfe declared on the Archbishops side and cleared his innocency Starling of Essex who challenged to himselfe the glory of being Heads man fell mad suddenly after ran through the Villages with his Sword hanging naked upon his brest and his Dagger naked behinde him came up to London confest freely the fact and lost his head there As most of those did who had laid their hands upon thâ—…s Archbishop comming up severally out of their Countries to that City and constantly accusing themselves for the Parricide of their spirituall Father Nothing was now unlawfull there could be no wickednesse after this They make more examples of barbarous cruelty under the name of Justice Robert Lord Prior of St. Iohn and Lord Treasurer of England Iohn Leg or Laige one of the Kings serjeants at Armes a Franciscan a Physitian belonging to the Duke of Lancaster whom pâ—…rhaps they hated because they had wroâ—…ged his Master a Frier Carmelite the Kings Confessour were murdered there in this fury Whose heads with the Archbishops were borne before them through London streets and advanced over the Bridge This while the King was softning the Rebells of Essex at Mile-end with the Eaâ—…les of Salâ—…bury Warwick and Oxford and other Lords Thither by Pâ—…oclamation he had summoned them as presuming the Essexians to be the more civiliz'd and by much the fairer enemies as indeed they were There he promises to grant them their dâ—…sires Liberty pretious Liberty is the thing they aske this is given them by the King but on condition of good behaviour They are
him a faire Canton of the new Common-wealth if he will command their Forces The faithfull Cavalier abhorred the proposition and could not dissemble his dislike He tells them he will not to his eternall dishonour renounce his Soveraigne whom all good men obeyed to ingage with the veryest perfidious Traitors living in their villanies He attempts to Horse himselfe againe but failes It was Treason to speak against the Government The Commons grow furious they cry out Treason against Treason and Rebellion Thousands of hands are lifted up against him as if they all moved by the same Nerves and Sinews They hew him down but he crushes some of them with his ruine Whosoever stood within his reach lost either Head Legs or Armes He kils twelve of them at length avillein of his owne beats out his brains Then doe the infernal Curs rush in with full mouthes and mangla him to bâ—… who sayes Walsingham would have driven a thousand of them before him had he had faire play This amazes the rest of the Gentry they strive for Vassalage with the same emulation others doe for Liberty they observe Litster they receive his Commands upon their knees who in all things imitates the state and pomp of Kings Sir Stephen of Hales a Knight of honour caâ—…ves before him and tastes his Meates and Drinkes the rest of the miserable Courtiers are imployed in their severall offices But when the same of the Kings good fortune began to grow strong and of his preparations to assert his Right and Authority Litster sends on Embassie from NorthWalsham the thorne of his tyranny to London the Lord Morley and Sir Iohn Brewes with three of the confiding Commons to obtaine Charters of manumission and pardon with great summes of monies squeezed out of the Citizens or Norwich under pretence of preserving the City from slaughter fire and spoile or as others raised by an ordinary tribute to Litster Which monies were sent for presents to the King to win him to grant them Charters more ample and beneficial than had been given to any others THese Messengers are met at Ichlingham neere New-market by Henry le Spenser Lord Bishop of Norwich of a noble Family stout and well armed He had been at his Mannor of Burleigh neere Okeham and there heard of the tumults in Norfolke and was now hasting thither to see how thingâ—… were carryed with eight Lances onely iâ—… his company and a few Archers He charges the Lord Morley and Sir Iohn upon their Allegeance to tell him whether any of the Commons the Kings Traitors weâ—… with them They look upon the Bishop aâ—… a young rash man and the awe of theiâ—… Masters was so prevalent he could hardly wrest the secret from them After many words they discover it and the Bishop causes the heads of the Clowns to be strucâ—… off and fixed on a publick place at Newmarket Then taking with him that Lord and Knight he posts for Northwalsham The Gentry hearing of the Bishops arrivall in his Coat of Male with his Helmet upon his head his Sword by his side and his Lance upon his thigh croud in to him the Bishop quickly found himselfe in 〈◊〉 gallant equipage and as quickly reachâ—… Northwalsham the sinke of the Rebellion Litster was intrenched he had fortified his ditch with Pales Stakes and Dores and shut himselfe in behinde with his Carts and Carriages The heroick Bishop like another Maccabeus charges bravely through the ditch into the midst of the Rebells when all the Barons of England hid themselves so suddenly that the Archers could not let an arrow flie at him and came to handy blowes As the French Historian de Serres observes in affaires of the World oftentimes he that is most strong carries it a good fortune and a good minde seldome goe together Otho tells his Souldiers oftentimes where the causes of things are good yet if judgement be wanting I may put in where the Counsels are unsound the Agents faithlesse where Money Armes and Men are wanting the issue must be perâ—…icious The goods and honours of this world which follow the Triumphers Chariots are common to the good and bad Grace Charity and Love are the marks of a pious man not Successe to brag of which becomes rather a Spartacus or Mahomet who carry Faith and Law upon the Swords point than a Christian The God of the Christians is not the God of robbery and bloud but things here fell out as could be wished the innocency of the side prevailed and the righteout weake side overcame the strong injust Litster touched with the conscience of his mischiefes strugles to the utmost to avert his danger at length gives ground and attempts to shift for himselfe by leaping over his Carriages in the Rere The Bishop pressed forward so fiercely this course proved in vaine most of the unhappy Clownes are laid along upon the place Litster and the Captains of the Conspiracy are taken and condemned to be drawn hanged and beheaded which was done Others of the chiefe Conspirators dispersed over the Country are searched out and executed The Monke here tells us It was apparent by the workes of these Demoniacks by their fruits that they had conspired he speakes of the whole not onely the destruction of the Church and Monarchy but of the Christian faith too Schoole-masters were sworne by them never to teach Grammer more and whosoever was taken with an Inkhorne about him never saved his head Our Monke attributes these calamities to the remisnesse of the Bishops to the conceits and fangles of Presbyter Wycliffe which if they be truly registred by the Monkes his mortall enemies were pestilentiall and damnable Indeed Presbyter Wycliffe was then living but is not named in these commotions as one busie in them by the Monkâ—… though busie he might be we shall finde Sir Iohn Old-castle Lord Cobham and others of Wycliffes disciples rebells and traitours too too bufie in Henry the fists beginning Baal and Straw and Wraw were Priests of the Idol and his Lieutenants and might serve the turne to iâ—…broyle without fetching more aide in He attributes too these mischiefes to the licentious invectives of the Clownes against their Lords generally to the sins of the Nation inclusively taking in the Orders of Mendicants or Begging Fryars like factious Lecturers who had nothing of their owns and were obliged to flatter the people and make themselves popular who sayes he forgetfull of their profession and vowes greedy and covetous of mony foster the people in their errors call good evill and evill good seducing the great men with fawning and the rabble with lyer So that in those dayes thus he proceeds the Argument held in every mans mouth This is a Fryar therefore a Lyar as strong as this This is white therfore coloured Here againe is Walsingham at a stand he complaines That it is impossible to relate the villanieâ—… of the Rustick Devils done in all parts We will now return to see what the King does
killing had not fallen by the sword of Lancaster he had found his grave on Tower-hill or Smithfield where the faithfull lieges of his Crown were torn in pieces by these Canibals The reverence due to the annointed heads of Kings began to fall away and naked Majesty could not guard where Innocency could not But Tyler blinded with his owne fatall pride throws himself foolishly upon the Kings sword and by his over-muoh hast preserves him whom he had vowed to destroy The Heathens make it a mark of the Divinity of of their Gods that they bestowed benefits upon mortal men and took nothing from them The Clownes of the Idoll upon this rule were not very heavenly they were the meeke ones of those times the onely inheritours of right the kingdom was made a prey by them it was cantoned out to erect new Principalities for the Mock-kings of the Commons so their Chiefs or Captains would be called Here though the title of the Rebellion spoke fair was shâ—…wn somewhat of ambition and no little of injust private interest no little of self-seeking which the good of the people in pretence onely was to give way to and no wonder for the good of the people properly was meeraly to be intended of themselvs and no where but amongst those was the Commonwealth Had these Thistles these Brambles flourished the whole Wood of noble Trees had perished If the violent casting other men out of their possessions firing their houses cutting off their Heads violating of all Rights be thought Gods blessing any evidence of his owning the Cause these Thieves and Murderers were well blessed and sufficiently owned Such was then tho face of things estates were dangerous every Rich man was an enemy mens lives were taken away without either offence or tryall their reign was but a continuation of horrible injuries the Lawes were not onely silent but dead The Idolls fury was a Law and Faith and Loyaltie and Obedience to lawfull power were damnable Servants had the rule over Princes England was near a slavery the most unworthy of free and ingenious spirits of any What I relate here to speak something of the Story I collect out of Sir John Froissart a French-man living in the times of King EDVVARD the third and his Grandchild King RICHARD who had seen England in both the reigns was known and esteemed in the Court and came last over after these Tumults were appeased and out of Thomas of Walsingham a Monk of St. Albanes in Henry the sixth's dayes who sayes Bale in his centuries of him writes many the most choice passages of affairs and actions such as no other hath met with In the main and to the substance of things I have made no additions no alterations I have faithfully followed my Authors who are not so historically exact as I could wish nor could I much better what did not please me in their order No man saies Walsingham can recite fully the mischiefs murders sacriledge and cruelty of these Actors he excuses his digesting them upon the confusion of the combustions flaming in such varietie of places and in the same time Tyler Litster and those of Hartfordshire take up most part of the discourse Westbrome is brought in by the halves the lesser Snakes are onely named in the Chronicle What had been more had not been to any purpose Those were but types of Tyler the Idoll and acted nothing but according to the Original according to his great example they were Wolves alike and he that reads one knowes all Thomas of Becket Simon of Montfort the English Cataline Thomas of Lancaster Rebels and Traitors of the former years are Canonised by the Monks generally the enemies of their Kings miracles make their Tombes illustrious and their Memories sacred The Idol and his Incendiaries are abhoâ—…ed every where every History detests them while Faith Civility Honesty and Piety shall be left in the world the enemies of all these must neither be beloved nor pitied THE IDOL OF THE CLOWNES THe Reigne of King Richard the second was but a throw of State for so many yeares a Feaver to whose distempers all pieces of the home Dominions contributed by fits * the forrain part onely continuing faithfull in the fourth yeare of his reigne and fifteenth of his Age the dregs and off scum of the Commons unite into bodies in severall parts of the Kingdome and forme a Rebellion called the Rebellion of the Clownes which lead the rest and shewed the way of disobedience first Of which may truly be said Though amongst other causes we may attribute it to the indisposition and unseasonablenesse of the age that the fruits of it did not take it was strongly begun and had not Providence heldback the hand the blow had fallen the Government had broke into shivers then The young King at this time had few besides Thomas of Woodstock his Unkle Earle of Buckingham and after Duke of Glocester but the servants of his house in ordinary about him the Lord Edmund of Langly Earle of Cambridge after Duke of Yorke with the Lords Beauchamp Botereaux Sir Matthew Gourny with others of the Nobility and Gentry had set saile for Portugall the Duke Iohn of Lancaster another of his Unkles was in Scotland treating a peace when this commotion brake out Though no cause can be given for Seditions those who designe publick troubles can never want pretences Polidore as much out in this story as any gives this reason for this The Polle money sayes he imposed by Parliament a groat sterling upon every head was intollerable It was justly imposed and so by some to whom Law and Custome of England were intollerable not to be indured but we shall find in the tyranny breaking in not onely fifth and tentieth parts and loanes forced out of feare of plunder and death but subsidies in Troops and Regiments by fifties more than Sequeltrations and Compositions not under foot low sales for what had these Rascalls to give but downright Robbery and violent usurpation of Estates Thus would Polidore have it in defence of his Priests who blew the fire and thrust the silly rout into the midst of it He takes it ill that Baal valle he calls him should be supposed by I know not what slaterers of the Nobles to have filled these sailes to have let these windes out of their Caverns In the fourth yeare of this King sayes the Monkâ—… there was a grievous Tax exacted in Parllament after cause of great trouble every Religious paid half a Mark every Secular Priest as much every Lay-man or Woman 12d This might discontent the people but who prepared the Mutineers for such dangerous impressions who fell in with them after and pushed them forward will be soon found Froisâ—… sart complaines of the servitude of the villanes or Bond-men now Names worne out a miserable sort of drudges frequentth knowne here in the Saxon times excluded from any right of propriety sold and passed away with the Mannour or Lands to
had he accepted he must have commanded according to the motions of the Lieutenant Generall Tilers Spirit and when this turne had been over at the least stamp of his foot have vanished sneaked off the stage They tell him Sir Iohn you must be our Captaine and which shewes the power of his Commission you shall do what we will have you The Knight likes not their company he tries his best wit language to be rid of them but could not prevaile they reply downright Sir Iohn if you will not doe what we will have you you dye for it we will not be denied but at your perill Enough was said the Knight yeelds but his charge of Captaine Generall is forgotten we shall see hereafter what use they make of him and in what manner he must be imployed This example is followed in the other Countries The Gentry did not onely lose their Estates and honour but their courage and gallantry their blouds were frozen feare had stifled their Spirits The Clownes as thâ—… Knight had brought them into such obeysance that they caused them to go with them whether they would or not they fawned on them humbled themselves to them like Dogs groveling at their feer The Lord Molines Sir Stephen Hales Sir Thomas Guysighen this Sir Iohn Moton and others were Attendants and vassales to the Idoll Every day new heaps of men slock to them like Catilines Troops all that were necâ—…ssitous at home unthrifts broken fellowes such as for their misdeeds feared the Justice of the Lawes who resent the dangerous and distracted state of the Kingdome alike and will no doubt hammer out an excellent reformation they will mend their owne condition which will be enough we must expect no more and now the confidence in their strength made them bold enough to throw off their maâ—…ke of Hypocrisie they began to open the inside They departed from Rochester sayes Froissart and passed the River he sayes the Thames at Kingstone and came to Brentsord where I thinke he leads them out of their way beating downe before them and round about the places and Houses of advocates and procurers and striking off the heads of diverse persons Walsingham tells us who those advocates and procurers were All men sayes he were amused some looked for good from the new Masters others feared this insurrection would prove the destruction of the Realme The last were not deceived All the Lawyers of the Land so he goes on as well the Apprentices Counsellours as old Justices all the Jury-men of the Countrey this was Priest Balls charge they could gripe in their clutches had their heads chopped off It was a maxime of the Cabal That there could be no liberty while any of these men were suffered to breathe From little to great they fell upon things which they never thought of in their first overflow which Guicciardine observes in civill discords where the Rebellion is fortunate and mens mindes are puft up with successe to be ordinary The statue of Cumaan Apollo weeps for the destruction of Cumae we shall here reade of men without sense or apprehensions both the stories will seem as incredible The stupid Nobility and Gentry sleep in their Houses till they are roused by these bloud-hounds that they might seem to deserve the calamity tumbling upon their heads They were becomming tenants at will in Villeinage to their vassalls under their distresse their Taske and Taxes more by the Sottish basenesse of themselves than any vertue in these Rascals Scorned and sleighted by every tatter'd Clunch Their Lands continually upon any Vote or Information to be sold or given away upon any information of loyalty or faithfulnesse the antient vertues of the Gentleman not to be found in that age and serving onely for a pretence to ruine no one could form an expectation of more than this to be the last man borne what was Polyphemus his kindnesse to Ulisses to be devoured last all which they were contented to hazard and indure to preserve a shred or jagge of an incertaine ragged Estate for the health or mistresses sake subject ever to the violence of the same lawlesse spoiling force which maimed and rent it before Nâ—…xt to returne to this riffraffe their cruelty reaches to Parchment Deeds Charters Rolles of Courts Evidences are cast by them into the fire as if they meant to abolish all remembrance of things this was to defeat their Lords in the Claims of any antient Rights and to leave no man more title than themselves had to their Sword and power The Kentish and Essexian rout were joyned sayes the Monke but he tells us not where and approached neere London at Black heath they made an halt where they were neare 200000 strong Thither came two Knights sent by the King to them to inquire the cause of the Commotion and why they had amassed such swarmes of the people They answer they met to conferre with the King concerning businesse of weight they tell the Messengers they ought to goe back to the King and shew him that it behoves him to come to them they would acquaint him with their desires we shall quickly discover why his presence was required upon return of the Knights it was debated in Councell by the Lords about the King wherâ—…e he should goe or no some of the Table more willing to venture the King than themselves willing to throw him into the gulph or perhaps not senting the designe of the Clownes perswade him to see them Your Majesty thus they must make a tryall of these men necessity now must be looked on above reason if any thing can give the check to the uprores it must be your presence there can be no safety but in this venture it is now as dangerous to seeme not to trust as to be deceived fate is too much feared if it be imagined that this tree of your empite which has flourished so many ages can fall in an houre The Archbishop of Canterbury Simon Theobald of Sudbury Lord Chancellour of England the most Eloquent most Wise and most pious Prelate of the Age faithfull to his Prince and therefore odious to those who conspired against his Majesty and authority likes not the advise The King ought not sayes he to venture his person among such hoselesse ribaulds but rather dispose things so as to cuâ—…be their insolence Sir sayes he your sacred Majesty in this storme ought to shew how much of a King you can play what you will goe for hereafter by your present carriage you will either be feared for the future or contemned If you seriously consider the nature of these rough hewne savages you will finde the gentle wayes pernitious your tamenesse will undoe you mercy will ever be in your power but it is not to be named without the sword drawne God and your right have placed you in your throne but your courage and resolution must keep you there your indignation will be justice good men will
for the goâ—…d of the faithfull people of the Land and the Common-Wealth his followers for their Brethren and Companions of the holy Cause They vow to live and dye with Tylar Many of those who had no thoughts of doing mischiefe yet being none of the wisest were cheated into a good beliefe of them because of their Protestation which in their first entrance they made solemnly that they had no intent but this onely to search and hunt out the Traitours of the Kingdome the subverters of the fundamentall Laws evill Counsellours and Malignants and that this done they would give over they would disband and returne home the same men they were to their Farmes and Cottages without inriching themselves without any other harvest of their Labours not doubting buâ—… that in the end it should appeare to all the world that their endeavours have been most hearty and sincere for the maintenance of Religion the Kings just Prerogatives the Lawes and liberties of the Land in which endeavours by the Grace of God they would persist though they should perish in the work Which was believed what confirmed this Faith was they made Theft Capitall which yet was confined all without the Fold of the godly were AEgyptians and could not be robbed and paid justly for what they had but they paid not often nor could their reckonings be great The Citizens were their purveiours and made provision for them every house was open to them and tables continually furnished Their entry was on the 14 of Iune 1385. on Wednesday a little before Midsummer the eve of Corpus Christi day they spend the morning of the next day being the festivall in ringes discoursing of the Piety Honesty and fairenesse of their cause of liberty and the courses to gaine it of seising Traitours Of bringing incendiaries Malignants and evill instruments to condigne punishment of the Duke Iohn of Lancaster who was above all menâ—…hated by them but too far off for the scratches of their olawos being imployed in Scotland to treate a peace there whence these report him turned a traitour to the King and become Scottish about â—…noone being warmed more by their cups than with the Sun for the richest Wines were drawne for them and swallowed with that greedinesse that they were got to the height of drunkennesse and â—…aved like mad men They are for execution The Savoy of the Duke of Lancaster a Princely building the most stately fabrick of the Kingdome was fired by them his Servants there murthered his Plate and Jewells broke in pieces a Coat of his of great value called in that age a Jack in contempt and scorne to this Prince was stuck on the top of a Lance made a marke for their Arrows then cut and gashed to jagges with their hatchâ—…s one of them who had hid a piece of Plate was throwne by the rest into the fire with it crying out We be zealous of Truth and Iustice and not Theeves and Robbers The Londoners were here no slow men they knew themselves guilty of receiving and that their condition could be no worse they might thinke too it would be their shame for ever to be overdone in mischiefe nor were they here exceeded The next fiery shower is discharged up the Temple an Innes of Court or College for Students of the Lawes of the Nobler sort but belonging to the Knights of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem to whom the possessions of the Knights Templars were given by this Kings Grandfather Many men lost there the evidences of their estates many their lives From hence in malice to the Lord Prior they hasten to Clerkenwell where they leave nothing of that noble Palace of the Knights of S. Iohn of Ierusalem but rubbidge and ashes their Church too was consumed in the same wicked flames This house was seaven dayes burning downe They breake open the Exchequer and 〈◊〉 Westminster the same day The Flemmings or Dutch strangers who siace the Iewes were banished suffer their part in every Sedition are sought for all the streets through all of them massacred no sanctuary could save them thirteen Flemmings were drawne out of the Church of the Friers Hermits of Saint Augustine and beheaded in the streets and seaventeen others pulled out of another parochiall Church dye in the same manner They had a Shibboleth to discover them he who pronounced Brot and Cawse for Bread and Cheese had his head lopt off It was their 〈◊〉 if they could catch any man who had not sworne their Oath was not of the side or was hated by any of the Commons to snatch off his hood or Capuch which wâ—…s a part of the Cloak or outward garment worne then and served to cover the head with the accustomed cry or yelling which they used in beheading and overthrowing Houses then to rush in to the streets and hack with their fellow Jobernolles at his neck in Crowds till the Head dropped down Our most famous Chaucer flourishing then in his description of the terrible fright and noyse at the carrying away of Chanticlere the Cock by Reinold the Fox reflects upon these cries but in an Hyperbole of his Poeticall feined ones and much undervaluing the horrour of the Râ—…ntish throats as he will have it They yellen as Fiends do in Hell c. So hideous was the noyse Ah benedicie Certes Iack-Straw ne his meyney He made shouts halfe so shrill UUhen they would any Flemming kill The Lombards scaped better they were onely robbed of what they had their skins were left them whole Wat the Idol had long agon in France sâ—…rved Richard Lyon a Merchant and Lapidarie formerly Sheriffe of London one of the wealthyest of the City who had given him blowes it was not fit this injuâ—…y should be forgotten nor was it It was a score now or never to be paid he strikes off his old masters head which in triumph is carryed before him on a Speare This night the King was counselled to fall upon these beasts for the most part drunk and cut their throats easie to be destroyed if any man had had but the courage to overcome It was the gallant Mayors advise they lay on heaps without sense or motion tired with the mischiefes of the day drunk and asleep without Guards or Watch the Eâ—…e of Salisbury and the Nobility against whose Lâ—…ves Honours and Fortunes thesâ—… beasts had conspired desire the King to â—…y all faire and gentle wayes of appeasing them which counsell he approves Thâ—…y were not so kind to themseâ—…ves many lost their lives by the hands and swords of their companions every petty discontent or grudging being enough to provoke them Thirty two of them being drunk in a Cellar of the Savoy were immured there finding in the same place Death and thâ—… Grave together Some of them threw Barrels of Gunpowder which was little known then into the fire and are blown up with part of the Palace Proclamations were formerly made in Tylers name not in Strawes as Polydore would have
their Prince their naturall Lord unanimously and to side with him against all seditious opposers of his Majesty and the just rights and liberties of his people which they saw like to perish together Farther a Knight of the Court seconds the report and by proclamation in the Kings Name now legall againe commands this herd to keepe the Kings peace under forfeiture of life and members from that houre The King now growne a Protectour againe of his Subjects sends his Letters protectory to the Abbot in these words RIchard c. To all our Lieges and Commons of Hartford c. We pray Charge Command streightly as we may c. by the faith and ligeances which to us yee owe that to our Beloved in God the Abbot of St. Albane nor to our House and Monastery of the said place of our Patronage nor to none of the People Monkes nor â—…thers nor to none of the goods of the said Monastery c Yee suffer to be done as much as in you lies any grievance dammage c. Given under our Great Seale at our City of London c. Though now these Carles were well cooled yet ere the zeale was quite â—…akened and the Clouds dispelled which hovered weakely and were likely to scatter with the next breath of winde they conclude to perfect their building which to the great nusance of this Monastery they haâ—… raised Bâ—…sides the Lieutenants or Major Generalls of Tyler thought it a much unworthiuesse to droope too soon before those whom they had summoned in to piece up their deformed insutrection with so much bravery and insolence They continue and pursue their requests to the Abbot but with lesse noise than formerly the Abbot was advised by Letters from Sir Hugh Segrave Lord Steward of the Houshold and Sir Thomas Percy created after Earle of Worcester to grant all things assuring him these grants being thus forced from him would be voide in Law and could not hurt his Monastery The Abbots Chamber the Chappell all places are full of them they give directions to the Abbots Clerke for their Charter of Liberties which now they were contented to accept but will have a Bond of one thousand pounds sterling for the delivering up the Charter unknowne before the annunciation of the blessed Virgin next if it can be found if not that the Abbot with his twelfth hand an antient Saxon manner of purging or clearing the offender where the offence was secret with twelve of his chiefe Monkes should sweare that he neither has nor detains any such Charter with his knowledge The Abbot agrees he and the Covent Seale But oh the miracle not to be believed nor understood without another upon our faith and understanding the Seale in which the glorious Protomartyâ—… was figured three times together could not be pulled from the Wax no sleight no strength could doe it To passe by the pious frauds and dreames of Monkes from thence the black-bands depart to the Market place there at the Crosse they publish their new Acquisitions the Charters of the King and Abbot with the Kings protection of the Monastery which was but a counterfeit of their love On Munday and Tuesday following the villeins of the Patrimony of our Protemartyr as the others did in all places else imbroiled exact of the Abbot deeds of manumission and Liberty according to the effect of the Royall Charter before which Charter the Abbot recites and confirmes From villeins these now conceive themselves Gentlemen of Welsh pedegree descended of Princes nay as our Monk noble beyond the line and race of Kings they are meere free-holders hold onely of God and the Sunne rather of the Sun and club and will neither performe their customes and services nor pay Rent The common people who are neither swayed by Religion or Honesty stop and check themselves not that they were contented but because they could not nay they durst not goe on to more The plague of this distemper was not onely epidemicall but kept its dayes on the fatall Saturday fifty thousand Clownes out of Suffolke Essex Cambridgeshire the Isle of Eliâ—… places miserably harrassed according to the former presidents were incorporated by the jugling tricks of the Essexian impostors sent out by the Fathers of disobedience in the first conception of the ruffle to inveigle proselites to the Holy League This was but an indigested Masse without shape or forme Wraw not Straw as sometimes he is called a most leud Presbyter as Walsingham or Priest who came from London the day before with Orders from Tyler who according to his owne establishment had the executive power was imployed into those parts to lick and fashion the Monster He with Robert Westbrome King of this Congregation lead the tatter'd reformers from Mildenhall to St. Edmunds bury where then stood a most glorious Monastery and where their fellow scoundrells expected them Wraw findes these choperloches good disciples willing to learne and quick of apprehension so capable they understood his least signes The same frensies are againe acted by other Lunaticks the Lawyers or Apprentices of the Law as the Monke and their houses are the first objects of their spight they doe not onely cut off them but fire their nests Lir Iohn Cavendish chiefe Justice of the Kings Bench who had beene one of the most able Serjeants of this Kings Grand-fathers Reigne and was made chiefe Justice by him they intercept and behead Orpheus Traâ—…it Nerâ—… the Romane Belgabred the Brittaine excellent in the sweetnesse of a voyce and skill of Song with Iohn of Cambridge Prior of Saint Edmunds lose their lives in the same manner as they unluckily fell in to their hands The cause of the Priors death is made this He was discreet and managed the affaires of his Monastery faithfully and diligently he was taken neare Mildenhall a Towne then belonging to Saint Edmund of the demaine of the Abby the Vassalls Hindes Villeins and bond-men of the house sentenced him murthered him by Vote His body lay five dayes naked in the field unburied In Saint Edmunds bury these cut-throats compasse the Priors head round as in a procession after they carry it upon a Lance to the pillory where that and the chiefe Justices head are advanced Their next worke was the levelling a new house of the Priours After they enter the Monastery which they threaten to fire unlesse Iohn Lakinhethe Gardian of the temporalities of the Barony in the vacancy then were delivered to them which the Towns-men mingled in the throng put them upon the Gardian stood amidst the croud unknown This man out of piety to preserve the Monastery it was piety then though it may be thought impiety now discovers himselfe he tells them he is the man they seeke and askes what it is the Commons would have with him They call him traitor it was capitall to be called so not to be so drag him to the Market-place and cut off his head which is set upon the Pillory to
and commands c. To take the best care for the keeping of his Peace opposing of all such Levies with a strong hand Farther He commands every man to leave such Assemblies and return home to his own house under penalty of forfeiture of Life and Member and all things forfeitable to the King c. These Clowns charge not the King to be transported Furiously and Hostilely to the destruction of the whole people which can never happen where the King is in his wits But what is fully as mad they will suppose him to Arme against his own life and power against his own peace and the peace of all that love him This Proclamation put life into the Royalists into all honest hearts and dismayes as much the Rebels yet after this the Essex Traitors gather again at Byllericay near Hatfield Peverell and send to the King now at Waltham to know whether he intends to make good his Grants of Liberties and require to be made equal with their Lords without being bound to any Suits of Court view of Frank-pledge only excepted twice the year The King and his Counsell are startled at this impudence The King answers the Agents That if he did not look upon them as Messengers he would hang them up Return sayes he to your fellow Rebels and tell them Clowns they were and are and shall continue in their Bondage not as hitherto but far more basely trampled on While we live and rule this Kingdom by Gods Will we will imploy all our Means and Power to keep you under So that your misery shall frighten all villeins hereafter And your posterity 〈◊〉 curse your memory At the heels of the Messengers the King sends his Unkle Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham and Sir Thomas Piercy with a body of Horse to quell them The Rebels were intrenched according to the manner of Litsters Camp in the midst of Woods Ten Lances of the Avant Currours rout them the Lords when they were come up inclose the Woods round five hundred are killed eight hundred Horses for carriage taken the broken remainders of the defeat escape to Colchester a Town ever honest and faithfull to the Prince where the loyal Townsmen would not be gotten to stir they sollicite the Townsmen saies the Monk with much intreaty great threats and many arguments neither intreaties nor threats nor arguments would move them From thence they get to Sudbury making every where such Proclamations as of old they had used where the Lord Fitz. walter whose seat was at Woodham Walters in Essex and Sir Iohn Harlestone rush suddenly upon them kill and take them The King meaning to visite Essex in his own person comes to Havering at the bouâ—… a Mannour of his own demain of the sacred Patrimony and from thence to Chesmsford where he appoints Sir Robert Tresilian chief Justice of his Bench of Pleas of the Crown to sit and inquire of the Malefactours and Troublers of the Country and to punish the offendours according to the custome of the Realm known and visible Five hundred of these wretched peasants who had no mercy for others heretofore cast themselves down before the King bare footed and with heads uncovered implore his pardon which he grantâ—… them on condition They discover the great Conspiratours the Captain Rogues The Jurors are charged by the chief Justices to carry themselves indifferently and justly in their Verdicts neither swayed by love or hatred to favour or prosecute any man Many upon the Evidence given in and the finding of the Jury were condemned to be drawn and hanged nineteen of them were trussed upon one Gallowes Heading had formerly been the execution of others in Essex Kent and London because of the numbers of the guilty which was now thought a death short of the demerits of the most foul and heynous offenders Wherefore according to the custom of the Realm It was decreed sayes the Monk that the Captains should be hanged The like was done in other Countries by the Justices in Commission where the King was in person Here the King with the advice of his Counsell revokes his Letters Patents the Charters granted to the Clowns Although so he speaks we have have in the late detestable troubles c. manumised all the Commons our Liege Subjects of our Shires and them c. have freed from all bondage and service c. And also have pardoned the same our Liege men and Subjects all Insurrections by Riding Going c. And also all manner of Treasons Felonies Trespasses and Extortions c. Notwithstanding for that the said Charters were without mature deliberation and unduly procured c. To the prejudice of us and our Crown of the Prelates and great men of our Realm as also to the disherison of holy English Church and to the hurt and damage of the Common-wealth the said Letters we revoke make void and annull c. Yet our intention is such Grâ—…e upon every of our said Subjects to confer though enormiously their Allegeance they have forfeited c. As shall be usefull to us and our Realm The close commands to bring in to the King and his Councell all Charters of manumission and pardon to be cancelled upon their faith and allegeance and under forfeiture of all things forfeitable c. Witnesse our selfe at Chelmsford the 2. of July and 5. year of our reign False for the 4. In the case of a Subject and no reason Kings shall be more bound every Act extorted by violence and awe upon the Agent is voyd In the time of Edward the third two Thieves which was the case here force a Traveller to swear that hee will at a day appointed bring them a thousand pound and threaten to kill him if he refuse their oath He swears and performe what he had sworn by advice of all the Justices these two were Indicted of Robbery and the Court maintaines that the party was not bound by this Oath Yet if this be denyed as unsafe Violence or Force which strikes a just fear into any man makes any Contract voyd say the Casuists Bishop Andrewes than most learned Prelate answers to the pretended resignation of King Iohn urged by Bellarmine that what this King did if any such act was done was done by force and out of feare Widdrington the mostloyall of all Roman Catholick Priests who writ much against the Gun-powder Jesuits in defence of the right of Kings against those Jesuits who would have cut off the King the Royall Family the Bishops of the English Catholick Church the Nobility and Gentry as their Letter speaks with one blow sayes of this Resignation or Donation if we may so he call it so That it was not freely given The Jesuites challenge the perpetuall dictature or regency of the University of Pontamousson by Bull of Sixtus the fift contrary to the Statutes of the foundation by Gregory the thirteenth Were the Bull true sayes Barclaie yet it ougt not to be