The king and a poore n[or]therne man Shewing how a poore Northumberl[and] man, a tenant to the King, being wrong'd b[...] lawyer, (his neighbor) went to the King himsel[fe] to make knowne his grievances; full of simple mirth and merry plaine iests. M. P. (Martin Parker), d. 1656? 1633 Approx. 23 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 13 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2011-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A08963 STC 19248 ESTC S119912 99855118 99855118 20591

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A08963) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 20591) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1525:22) The king and a poore n[or]therne man Shewing how a poore Northumberl[and] man, a tenant to the King, being wrong'd b[...] lawyer, (his neighbor) went to the King himsel[fe] to make knowne his grievances; full of simple mirth and merry plaine iests. M. P. (Martin Parker), d. 1656? [24] p. : ill. By T. Cotes, for Francis Grove, dwelling neere [..] Sarafins head, upon Snow hill, Printed at London : 1633. Signed: M. P., i.e. Martin Parker. First and last leaves blank except for woodcut illustrations. Signatures: A B⁴. Imperfect; title page cropped slightly affecting text and imprint. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.

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 eng Landlord and tenant -- England -- Early works to 1800. 2020-09-21 Content of 'availability' element changed when EEBO Phase 2 texts came into the public domain 2010-01 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-02 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2010-04 Sampled and proofread 2010-04 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

THE King and a poore No • therne man.

Shewing how a poore Northumberl ••• man, a Tenant to the King, being wrong'd b • 〈◊〉 Lawyer, (his Neighbour) went to the King himſelf • to make knowne his grievances; full of ſimple mirth and merry plaine Ieſts.

Printed at London, by T. Cotes, for Francis Grove, dwelling neere 〈…〉 Saraſins head, upon Snow hill, 1633.
THE King and a poore Northerne man. COme harken to me all around, and I will tell you a merry tale: Of a Northumberland man, that held ſome ground, which was the Kings land in a dale; He was borne and bred thereupon, and his Father had dwelt there long before: Who kept a good houſe in that Country, and ſtav'd the Wolfe from off his doore. Now for this Farme the good old man, iuſt twenty ſhillings, a yeare did pay. At length came cruell death with his dart, and this old Farmer he ſoone did ſlay: Who left behind him an aude wife then, that troubled was with micle paine; And with her Crutches ſhe walkt about, for ſhe was likewiſe blind and lame. When that his Corpes were laid in the grave, his eldeſt ſonne poſſeſſe did the Farme, At the ſame rent as his Father before, he tooke great paines and thought no harme. By him there dwelt a Lawyer falſe, that with his Farme was not content, But over the poore mans ſtill hangs his noſe, becauſe he did gather the Kings rent. This Farme layd by the Lawyers Land, which this vile kerne had a mind unto, The déele a good conſcience, had he in his bulke, that ſought this poore man for to undoe: He told him that he his Leaſe had forfite, and that he muſt there no longer abide. The King by ſuch lownes hath mickle wrong done, and for you the world is broad and wide. The poore man prayed him for to ceaſe, and content himſelfe, if he would be willing, And picke no vantage in my Leaſe, and I ſhall give thée forty ſhilling. Its neither forty ſhillings nor forty pound, Iſe warrant thée ſo, can agrée thée and me, Vnleſſe thou yéeld me thy Farme ſo round, and ſtand unto my curteſie. The poore man ſaid he might not doe ſa, his wife and his Bearnes will make ill warke: If thou wilt with my Farme let me ga, thou ſéeme's a gud fellow, Iſe give the 5. Marks▪ The Lawyer would not be ſo content, but further i'th matter he meanes to ſmell: The neighbors bad the poore man provide his rent, and make a ſubmiſſion to the King him ſell. This poore man now was in a great ſtond, his ſenſes they were almoſt wood: I thinke if a had not tooke grace in's minde, that he would never againe béene good: His head was troubled in ſuch a bad plight, as though his eyes were apple grey: And if good learning he had not tooke, he wod a caſt himſelfe away. A doughty heart he then did take, and of his mother did bleſſing crave, Taking farewell of his Wife and Bearnes, it earnd his heart them thus to leave; Thus parting with the teares in his eyne, his bob-taild dog he out did call: Thou ſalt gang with me to the King, and ſo he tooke his leave of them all. He had a humble Staffe on his backe, a Ierkin I wat that was of gray, With a good blue Bonnet he thought it no lacke. to the King he is ganging as faſt as he may. He had not gone a mile out o'th Toone, but one of his neighbours he did eſpy: How farre iſt to'th King, for thither I'me boone, as faſt as ever I can hye, I am ſorry for you, neighbour, he ſayd, for your ſimplicity I make moue, Iſe warrant you, you may aske to the King, when nine or ten daies iourneyes you have gone. Had I wiſt the King wond ſo farre, Iſe néere a ſought him a mile out ot'th Toone, Hes either a ſought me or weed neere a come nare at home I had rather ſpent a crowne. Thus paſt he alang many a weary mile, in raine and wet, and in foule mire; That ere he came to lig in his bed, his dog and he full ill did tire; Hard they did fare their charges to ſave, but alaſſe, hungry ſtomackes outcryes for meate, And many a ſup of cold water they dranke, when in the lang way they had nought to eate, Full lile we knew his hard griefe of mind, and how he did long London to ken: But yet he thought he ſhould finde it at laſt, becauſe he met ſo many a men; At length the top of Kirkes he ſpide, and houſes ſo thicke that he was agaſt; I thinke quoth he their land is full deere, for there's nought that here lies waſt. But when he came into'th Citty of London, of every man for the King he did call, They told him, that he néede not feare, for the King he lies now at White-hall: For White-hall then he made inquire, but as he paſſed ſtrange géere he ſaw, The bulkes with ſuch gue gaves were dreſſed that his mind atone ſide it did draw: Gud God unto himſelfe he did ſay, what a déele a place am I cumne unto, Had a man I thinke a thouſne pound in's purſe, him ſelve a might quickly héere undoe. At night then a lodging him a got, and for his ſupper he then did pay; He told the hoſt then héed goe lig in his bed: who ſtraight tooke a condle and ſhewd him the way, Then with ſpying of Farlies in the Citty, becauſe he had never béene there beforne, He lée ſo long a bed the next day, the Court was remov'd to Windſor that morn •… You ha laine too long in bed then ſaid his hoſt, you ha laine too long by a great while. The King is now to Windſor gone, he's further to ſéeke by twenty mile. I thinke I was curſt, then ſaid the poore man, if I had bin wiſe I might ha conſider, Belike the King of me has gotten ſome wéet, he had nee're gone away had I not come hither, He fled not for you, ſaid the hoſte, but hie you to Windſor as faſt as you may, Be ſure it will requite your coſt, for looke what's paſt the King will pay. But when he came at Winſor Caſtle, with his humble ſtaffe upon his backe, Although the gates wide open ſtood, he laid on them till he made um crack.
Poor man with his staff and his dog meets porter at Windsor Castle gate
Why ſtay pray friend, art mad, quoth the Porter, what makes thee kéepe this ſtirre to day? Why I am a tenant of the Kings, and have a meſſage to him to ſay. The King has men enough, ſaid the Porter, your meſſage well that they can ſay, Why there's ne're a Knave the King doth kéepe, ſhall ken my ſecret mind to day. 〈◊〉 were told ere I came from home, •… ere I came hither it would be deare bought, • et me in, Iſe give a good ſingle penny, I ſée thou wilt ha ſmall, ere thou't doe for nought. Gramercy ſaid the Porter then, thy reward's ſo great, I cannot ſay nay, • onders a Noble man within the Court, Ile firſt heare what he will ſay. When the porter came to the Noble man, he ſaid he would ſhew him a pretty ſport, There's ſicke a Clowne come to the gate, as came not this ſeven yéeres to the Court, He cals all Knaves the King doth kéepe, he raps at gate and makes great din, He's paſſing liberall of reward, héed give a good ſingle penny to be let in. Let him in then ſaid the Noble man: come in fellow the Porter gan ſay, If thou come within thy ſelfe, he ſaid, thy ſtaffe behind the gate muſt ſtay, And this Cuckolds curre muſt lig behind, what a déele what a cur haſt got with thée? The King will take him up for his owne ſel, Iſe warrant when as he him doth ſée. Be ſhrew thy limbs, then ſaid the poore man. then maeſt thou count me foole, or worſe; I wat not what bankrout lies by the King, for want of money he may picke my purſe. That's to be feard then the Porter ſaid, Iſe wiſh you to goe in well arm'd, For the King he hath got mickle company, and among them all you may ſoone be harm'd. Let him in with his ſtaffe and his dog, ſaid the Lord with that he gave a nod with's head, & a beck with knée If you be ſir King then ſaid the poore man, as I can very well thinke ye be: For I was told ere I came from home, you're the goodlieſt man ere I ſaw beforne. With ſo many Iingle iangles about ones necke, as is about yours I never ſaw none. I am not the King, then ſaid the Nobleman, Fellow, although I have a proud coat: If you be not the King, helpe me to the ſpéech of him you ſéeme a good fellow, Iſe give you a groat. Gramercy, ſaid the Nobleman, the rewards ſo great I cannot ſay nay, Ile goe know the Kings pleaſure if I can, till I come againe be ſure thou ſtay. Héeres ſicke a ſtaying, then ſaid the poore man, be like the King's better then any in our countrey: I might ha gaue to'th fartheſt nuke ith houſe, neither Lad nor lowne to trouble me. When the Nobleman came to the King, he ſaid he ſhould ſhew his Grace good ſport, Here's ſuch a clowne come to the Gate, as came not this ſeven yeares to'th Court. He cals all Knaves your Highneſſe kéepes, and more then that, he termes them worſe: Héel not come in without his Staffe, and his dog, for feare ſome Bankerout will picke his purſe. Let him in with his ſtaffe, and his dog, ſaid our King, that of his ſport we may ſée ſome: Wéele ſée how héele handle every thing, as ſoone as the match of Bowles is done. The Nobleman led him through many a roome, and through many a Gallery gay. What a déele doth the King with ſo many toome houſes, that he gets um not fild with Corne and Hay? What gars theſe bables and babies all? ſome ill have they done, that they hang by the wals▪ And ſtaring aloft at the golden roofe toppe, at a ſtep he did ſtumble and downe he falles; Stand up good fellow, the Nobleman ſaid, what art thou drunke or blinde I trow? Iſe neither am blind nor drunke, he ſed, although in my Saule you ought are ſo, It is a diſeaſe, ſaid the Lord againe, that many a good man is troubled withall, Quoth the Country man thē, yet I made your proud ſtones to kiſſe my backſide, though they gan me a fall. At laſt they ſpide the King in an Ally, yet from his game he did not ſtart: The day was ſo hot that he caſt off his Doublet, he had nothing from the waſt up but his ſhirt.
Poor man carrying his staff, accompanied by his dog and a courtier, doffs his hat to the King, who had been playing a game of bowls (bowling)
Loe yonder's the King, ſaid the Noble man, behold Fellow, loe, where he goes: Beléevet hées ſome unthrift, ſayes the poore man, that has loſt his money, and pawnd his cloaths. How hapt he hath gat ne're a coate to his backe? this bowling I like not, it hath him undone: Iſe warrant that fellow that's in thoſe gay cloaths he hath his coyne and his dublet won. But when he came before the King, the Nobleman did his curteſie, The poore man followed after him, & gave a nod with his head, & a becke with his kn •… If you be ſir King, then ſaid the poore man, as I can hardly thinke ye be, Here is a gude fellow that brought me hither, is liker to be King then ye. I am the King, his Grace now ſaid, Fellow let me thy cauſe underſtand: If you be ſir King I me a tenant 'of yours, that was born & up brought within your land. There dwels a Lawyer hard by me, and fault in my leaſe he ſayes he hath found, And all was for felling of five poore Aſhes, to build a houſe upon my owne ground. Haſt thou a leaſe here, ſayd the King, or canſt thou ſhew to me the déed, He put it into the Kings owne hand, and ſaid, Sir 'tis heere, if that you can reade▪ Why what if I cannot ſaid our King, that which I cannot another man may, I have a boy of mine owne not ſeaven yeares old a will read you as ſwift, as yould • unith highway Lets ſée thy leaſe then ſaid our King: then from his blacke boxe he puld it out, He gave it into the King owne hand, with foure or five knots ty'd faſt in a clout, Wéeſt néere unlooſe theſe knote, ſayd the King, he gave it to one that behind him did ſtay: It is proud horſe, then ſaid the poore man, will not carryes owne provender along the highway Pay me forty ſhilling as Iſe pay you, I will not thinke much to unlooſe a knot,
Man in right foreground wielding an ax, having begun to chop down a tree; dog curled up near the tree; figure dressed in black in the distance (the lawyer?)
I would I were ſo occupied every day, Ide unlooſe a ſcore an um for a groat, When the King had gotten theſe letters read, and found the truth was very ſo: I warrant thée thou haſt not forfeit thy leaſe, if that thou hadſt feld five aſhes moe. I, every one can warrant me, but all your warrants are not worth a flée, For he that troubles me, and will not let me goe, neither cares for warrant of you nor me. The Lawyer he is ſike a crafty elſe, a will make a foole of twenty ſuch as we, And if that I ſaid gang hang my ſel, Iſe trow he and I ſud néere agrée, For he's too wiſe for all our Towne, and yet we ha got crauty knaves beſide: Hele undoe me and my wife, and Bearnes alas that ever I ſaw this tide. Thou'ſt have an Iniunction, ſaid our King, from troubling of thée he will ceaſe: Hée'le either ſhew thée a good cauſe why, or elſe hée'le let thee live in peace. What's that Iniunction ſayes the poore man, good ſir to me, I pray you ſay. Why it is a letter Ile cauſe to be written, but art thou ſimple, as thou ſhe well for to day. Why if't be a letter I'me néere the better, kéep't to your ſelfe and trouble not me: I could ha had a letter cheaper written at home, and néere a come out of mine owne Countrey, Thou'ſt have an Attachment, ſayd our King, charge all thou ſéeſt to take thy part, Till he pay thée an hundred pound, be ſure thou never let him ſtart. A way is me, the poore man ſaid then, you ken no whit what you now doe ſay, A won undoe me a thouſand times; care he ſuch a unckle of money will pay: And more then this, there's no man at all, that dare anougſt him for to lift a hand, For he has got ſo much guile in his budget, that he will make them all forfeite their Land. If any ſéeme againſt thée to ſtand, be ſure thou come hither ſtraight way, I marry, is that all Iſe get for my labour, then I may come trotting every day. Thou art hard a beléefe, then ſaid our King, to pleaſe him with letters he was right willing, I ſée you have taken great paines in writing, with all my heart Ile give you a ſhilling. Ile have none of thy ſhilling ſaid our King, man with thy money, God give thée win. He throw it into the Kings boſome, the money lay cold next to his skin. Beſhrew thy heart then ſayd our King, then art a Carle ſomething too bold, Doſt thou not ſée I am hot with bowling, the money next to my skin lies cold. I neere wiſt that before, ſaid the poore man, before ſicke time as I come hither, If the Lawyers in our Country thought twas cold, they would not heape up ſo much together. The King call'd up his Treaſurer, and bad him fetch him twenty pound, If ever thy errant lye here away, Ile beare thy charges up and downe. When the poore man ſaw the gold downe tendred▪ for to receive it he was willing: If I had thought the King had had ſo mickle gold, beſhrew my heart Ide a kept my ſhilling. Now farewell good fellow quoth the King, ſée that my commands you well doe kéepe, And when that the Lawyer you have in your hands, looke that he doe pay you before he doe ſléepe, Gods beniſon light on your ſoule, then he ſayd, and fend you and yours where ever you gang, If that I doe ever méete with your fewd foes, Iſe ſweare with this ſtaffe, that their hide I won bang, And farewell brave lads now unto you all, I wod all may win, and neane of you léeſſe, Haude, take this ſame teſter héere amongſt you own, I ken that you Courtiers doe all looke for ſées: Thus with a low curtſie of them he tooke leave, thinking from the Court for to take his way: But ſome of the Gentlemen then of the Kings, would néeds invite him at dinner to ſtay. A little intreate did ſoone ſerve his turne, a thought himſel as good a man as them all, But where (quoth he) fall I have this ſame feaſt then ſtraight way they uſhered him into the hall, Such ſtore of Chéere on the boord there was plaſt, that made the Countryman much for to muſe. Quoth he, I doe thinke you are all crauty knaves, that ſuch a ſervice you will not refuſe; I ne're ſaw ſuch ſlipperdeſlapper before, here kéele I doe thinke is made of a whetſtone, Méer's douſets and flappjacks, and I ken not what, I thinke in the world ſuch feaſts there is none. When he had well dind and filled his panch, then to the Wineceller they had him ſtraight way, Where they with good Claret, & brave old Canary, they with a Foxe taile him ſoundly did pay; So hard they did ply him with theſe ſtrong wines, that he did wrong the long ſeames of his hoſe, That two men were fayne to leade him up ſtayres, ſo making indentures, away then he goes. The poore man got home next Sunday, the Lawyer ſoone him did eſpy: Oh ſir, you have béene a ſtranger long, I thinke from me you have kept you by. It was for you indéed, ſayd the poore man, the matter to the King, as I have tell, I did as neighbours put it in my head, and made a ſubmiſſion to'th King my ſell. What a Déel didſt thou with the king, ſaid the lawyer, could not neighbors and friends agrée thée and me? The Déel a neighbor or friend that I had, that would a bin ſicke a 〈…〉 , He has gin me a Letter, but I know not what they ca •… but if the Kings words be true to me, When you have read and perus'd it over, I hope youl leave and let me be. He has gin me another, but I know what tis, but I charge you all to hold him faſt, Pray you that are learned this letter reade. which preſently made them all agaſt. Then they did reade this letter plaine, the Lawyer muſt pay him a hundred pound, You ſée the Kings letter the poore man did ſay, and unto a poſt he fall ſtraight way be bound; Then unto a poſt they tyde him faſt, and all men did rate him in cruell ſort, The Lads and the Laſſes, and all in the towne, at him had great glée paſtime and ſport, Ile pay it, Ile pay it, the Lawyer ſaid, the attachment I ſée is good and fayre, Thou muſt néeds ſomething credit me, till I goe home and fetch ſome meare. Credit, nay that's it the King forbad, he bad if I got thée, I ſhould thée ſtay. The Lawyer payd him an hundred pound, in ready money, ere he went away. Would every Lawyer were ſerved thus, from troubling poore men they would ceaſe, They'd either ſhew them a good cauſe why, or elſe they'd let them live in peace. And thus I end my merry Tale, which ſhewes the plaine mans ſimpleneſſe, And the Kings great mercy in righting his wrongs, and the Lawyers fraud and wickedneſſe. FINIS. M. P.