Kings Charters which could not be got ready in time Farther the King offers them his Banners Some of the were simple honest people of no ill meaning who knew not why the Garboils were begun nor why they came thither These were won and win others without more stir those of Essex returne whence they came Tyler and Baal are of another spirit they would not part so easily Tyler the future Monarch who had designed an Empire for himselfe and was now sceleribus suis ferox atque praeclarus famous for his villeinies and haughty would not put up so he and his Kentish rabble tarry The next day being Saturday the 17 of June was spent as the other dayes of their tyranny in Burning Ruining houses Murthers and Dâ— populations The night of this day the Idol and his Priest upon a new resolution intended to have struck at the neck of the Nation to have Murthered the King the Achan of the Tribes probably by beheading the death these parricides had used hitherto the Lords Gentlemen the wealthiest and honestest part of the Citizens then to have pillaged their Houses and fired the City in foure parts they intended this hast to avoid odious partnership in the exploit and that those of Norfolke Suffolke and other parts might not share in the spoile This Counsell of destruction was against all policy more profit might have beene made of this City by Excise Assessment and Taxes upon the Trade Tyler might sooner have inriched himselfe and have been as secure Estate makes men lofty feare and poverty if we may trust Machiavel bend and supple every man had been in danger and obnoxious to him one Clowne had awed a street Near the Abby-Church at Westminster was a Chappell with an image of the Virgin Mary this Chappell was called the Chappell of our Lady in the Piew it stood near the Chappell of S. Steph. since turned from a Chappell to the Parliament house here our Lady then who would not believe it did great miracles Richards preservation at this time was no small one being in the hands of the multitude let loose and inraged There he makes his vowes of safety after which he rides towards these Sonnes of perdition under the Idol Tyler Tyler who meant to consume the day in Cavills protests to those who were sent by the King to offer those of Kent the same peace which the Essex Clownes had accepted That he would willingly embrace a good and honest Peace but the Propositions or Articles of it were only to be dictated by himselfe He is not satisfied with the Kings Charters Three draughts are presented to him no substance no forme would please he desires an accommodation but he will have Peace and truth together He exclaims that the liberty there is deceitfull but an empty name that while the King talkes of liberty he is actually levying Warre setting up his Standard against his Commons that the good Commons are abused to their owne ruine and to the miscarriage of the great undertaking that they have with infinite paines and labour acquainted the King with their humble desires who refuses to joyn with them misled and carried away by a few evill and rotten-hearted Lords and Delinquents contrary to his Coronation Oath by which he is obliged to passe all Lawes offered him by the Commons whose the Legislative power is which deniall of his if it be not a forfeiture of his trust and office both which are now uselesse it comes neare it and he is fairely dealt with if he be not deposed which too might be done without any want of modesty or duty and with the good of the Common-wealth The happinesse of the Nation not depending on him or any of the Regall Branches I will deliver the Nation from the Norman slavery and the world sayes he of an old silly superstition That Kings are onely the Tenants of Heaven obnoxious to God alone cannot be condemned and punished by any power else I will make here he lied not an wholsome President to the world formidable to all tyrannes I declare That Richard Plantagenet or Richard of Bourdeaux at this time is not in a condition to governe I will make no addresses no applications to him nor receive any from him though I am but a dry bone too unworthy for this great calling yet I will finish the work I will settle the Government without the King and against him and against all that take part with him which sufficiently justifies our Armes God with Vs sayes he owns them successe manifests the righteousnesse of our cause this is sayes he the voyce of the people by us their Representative and our Counsell After the Vote of no more Addresses which with all their other Votes of treasons were to be styled the resolution of the whole Realm and while he swells in this ruffle Sir John Newton a Knight of the Court is sent to intreat rather than invite him to come to the King then in Smithfield where the Idols Regiments were drawn up and treat with him concerning the additionall Provisions he desired to be inserted into the Charter No observance was omitted which might be thought pleasing to his Pride which pride was infinitely puffing Flattery was sweet to him and he had enough of it that made him bow a little when nothing else could doe it We may judge at the unreasonablenesse of all his demands and supplyes of new Articles out of his instrument by one He required of the King a Commission to impower himselfe and a Committee teame of his owne choosing to cut off the heads of Lawyers and Escheators and of all those who by reason of their knowledge and place were any way imployed in the Law He fancied if those who were learned in the Law were knocked ith'head all things would be ordered by the common people either there would be no law or that which was should be declared by him and his subject to their will with which his expression the day before did well agree Then attributing all things to God the God of Warre and his conquering Armes and striking his Sword which shewed the present power on London stone The Cyclops or Centaur of Kent spake these words From this day or within four dayes all Law or all the Lawes of Engl. as others shall fall from Wat Tylers mouth The Kings indeed had bound themselves and were bound by the Lawes They were named in them Tyler was more than a King he was an Emperour he was above the Lawes nor was it fit the old overworn Magna Charta should hold him The supreme Authority and legislative power no one knowes how derived were to be and reside in him according to the new establishment Tyler like Homers Mâ—rs {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} was a whirlewindâ— he wâ—s * Egâ—â—â—ius in Paterculus rather a Fencer a Swash buckler than a Senatour his right A me his bâ—uâ—sh force not Justice not reason must sway all things Tyler
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 John of Jerusalem 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 swear 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 Hereupon 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 John 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 John nor Sir Thomas of his making Sir John 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 maintaine 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 seare preserved him When the Barge drew nigh the new Councell of state sayes our Knight howled and shouted as though all the Devills of Hell had been amongst them Sir John 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 confiders and well affected to Tyler forbid their Major to keep him out owne his actions as done for the good 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
will not rule in fetters his will his violence shall be called Law and grievous slâ—very under that will falsly peace Had those whom no government never so sweet and gâ—â—cious will pleaâ—e unlesse the Supreame pâ—wer be given the people seen the confusions and dangers the câ—uelty and tyranny of these few dayes they would quickly have changâ—d this opinion The Knight performes his Embassy he uâ—ges the Idol with great earnestness to see the King and speedily He answers if thou beest so much for hast get thee back to the King thy Master I will come when I list yet â—e followes the Knâ—ght on Horse back but slowly In the way he is met by a Citâ—zen who had brought sixty doublets for the Commons upon the Publique Faith This Citizen askes him for his mony he promises payment before night presses on so near the King that his horse touched the croupe of the Kings horse Froissart reports his discourse to the King Sir King sayes the Idol seest thou yondâ—r people The King answers yes and askes him what he meanes by the question He replyes they are all at my command have sworne to mâ— Faith and Truth to doe what I will have them He and they had broke their Faith and truth to their Pâ—ince and he thinkes these men will be true to hâ—m Here though it be a digrâ—ssion too much I cannot omit a passage of the late Câ—vâ—ll Warres of France begun and continued by the Jesuitâ—d party to extirpâ—â—â— the royall Family therâ— Vilâ—ers Governour of Râ—üâ—n for the holy League tells the Duke of Mayen Captainâ— Gâ—nerall of the Rebellion That he would not obey him they were both companions and spoilers of the State together The King being levelled all men else ought to bâ—â—quâ—ll The Idoll as he that demanded so the Kâ—ight nothing buâ— Riot continues his discourse â—hu Believeâ—t thou King that these people wâ—ll depart without thy Lâ—tters The King tells him Hâ— means faâ—rly that he will make good his woâ—d his Letters are neare finished and they shall have them But the glory of the Idoll which was merely the benefit of fortune begâ—n to fade his principally was toâ— cruell too violent to be lasting Vengeance here hovered over his head and he who had been the destruction of multitudes hastens nay precipitates his own fate and ruins himself by his own fury he puts himself into the Kings power who should in his first towring had he been wisely wicked like a Vulture of the Game have flown at his throat * The judicious polit que will not begin to give over However will never venture himself in the Pâ—inces hands whom he has justly offended by treasons against his government †Charles of Burgundy confesses this to be â— great folly his Grandfather Philip lost his life at Montereau upon the Yonne by it and our Idoll shall not escape better Sir John Newton the Knight imployed to fetch him delivered his message on horseback which is now remembred and taken for an high neglect besides it seemeth the carriage and words of the Knight were not very pleasing Every trifle in omission was treason to the Idols person and new state He railes foulely drawes his Dagger and bellowing out Traitor menaces to strike the Knight who returnes him in exchange the lie and not to be behinde in blowes drawes his This the Idol takes for an intolerable affront but the King fearfull of his servant cooles and asswages the heat he commands the Knight to dismount and offer up his Dagger to the Idol which though unwillingly was done This would not take off his edge The Prince who yeilds once to a Rebell shall finde heaps of requests and must deny nothing The King had given away his Knights Dagger now nothing will content Tyler but the Kings Sword with which the Militia or power of Armes impliedly was sought This he askes then againe rushes upon the Knight vowing never to eat till he have his Head When the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdome whom neither necessity nor misery could animate lie downe trampled on by these Villaines without Soule or motion In comes the Major of London Sir William Walworth the everlasting honour of the Nation a man who over did ages of the Roman Scaevolae or Curtii in an hours action snatches the King Kingdome out of these flames He tells the King it would be a shame to all posterity to suffer more insolencies from this Hangman this lump of bloud This the rest of the Courtiers now wakened by their owne danger For he who destroyes one man contrary to Law or Justice gives all men else reason to feare themselves and take heed are echoes to This puts daring into the young King he resoâ—ves to hazâ—rd all upon this chance This way he could not but die kingly at least lâ—ke a Gentleman with the Sword which God of whose great Mâ—jesâ—y he was a beam gave him in his hand The onely way left to avoid a shâ—mâ—full death was to run the dangâ—r of a brave one and a wise coward I will not say an honourable one considering the incâ—rtainty of things under that Iron socage Tenure wâ—uld think so The King commands the Major to arrâ—st the Buâ—cher This was charge enough and rightly understood indeed there was then no time for forme nor tryall the suspension oâ— the Courts was Tylers act his crime aâ—d he ougâ—t not to look for any advantagâ— from it an Historian sayes the Duke of Guyse's power was so much that the ordinary formes of Justice could not be observed faire Law is handsome but it is not to be given to Wolves and Tygers Tyler was a traytour a common enemy and against such sayes a Father long â—gone every man is a Souldier whosoevâ—r struck too struck as much in his owne defence in his owne preservation as the Kings and the safety of the King and People made this course necessary besides Tylers crimes were publick and notorious The generous Lord Major obeyes the sentence which was gâ—ven by the same power by which the Judges of Courts sate and acted when Justice flâ—wed down from the fountaine in the ordinary channell and which the damme head being thus troubled by this Wâ—lfe could flow no otherwise which was authority sufficient by this power Richards Captaines must fight when he has them and kill those whom the Courts of Justice connot deal with Tylerâ—aints and shâ—inkes to what he had beene he was as cowardly as cruell and could not seem a man in any thing but that he was a theef and a rebell he askes the brave Major in what he was offended by him This was a strange question to an honest man he finds it so The Major sayes Froissart calâ—s him false stinking knave and tells him he shall not speake such words in the presence of his naturall Lord the King The Major answers in full upon the accursed Sacrilâ—gious Head of the Idol with his Sword He