OBedience (saith a learned Father) is a Vertue due both unto God and man, to God as our Creator, to Man as our superiour; and a learned Philosopher tells us, that to know how to obey, and how to command are two things and thus differ; for the one commeth by Nature, the other by Experience: That Country is well manag'd where the King knoweth Royalty to governe, and his People faithfully to serve. The Prince is supreame head of all Authority, and the Subject is injoyn'd to obey God, the Lawes, and his Prince; for Treason can have no place where Obedience claimeth principality. So much for the Introduction, I come now to the mat­ter it selfe.

Richard the second of that name, the Son of Prince Edward, (commonly cald the black Prince) the eldest Son of King Edward the third, being then a Child of the age of eleaven yeares, began his Raigne over the Realme of England the 22. of Iune, in the yeare of our Redemption 1327. being the 13. yeare of Charles the sixt of that name, then King of France, he was cald Richard of Burdeux as being borne there, and upon the fifteenth day of Iuly in the yeare above mentioned, was Crowned at Westminster, being the day of the translation of St. Swithin, which time was Major Nicholas Brembre Grocer, and Andrew Pikman and Nicholas Twifford Shreifes.

In the third yeare of this Kings Raigne, and toward the latter end thereof, William Walworth Fishmonger being Major, and Walter Docket, and William Knighthood Shriefes. About the beginning of summer in divers places of the Land, the Com­mons arose in Kent, in Essex, in Suffolk &c. and made amongst them Rulers and Captaines, of which (according to some Chronologers) one was named Wat Tyler, a second William Waw, a third Iack Straw, a fourth Iack Shepheard, a fifth Tom Miller, a sixt Hob Carter, but the best and most approved Records stile them thus: [Page] Iohn, or Walter Tylor, Iohn, or Iack Straw, Iohn Kerby, Allen Threader, Thomas Skot, and Ralph Rugg, all of them of that dissolute and desperate condition, that like Herostratus, who set fire of Dianaes Temple in Ephesus (which was one of the seaven wonders of the world) and burnt it downe to the ground for no other rea­son, but that he would be talked of after his death, according to the strict decree of of the Ephesians, (who made it death for ony man to speake of her) are not wor­thy to bee named.

But I proceed in my Discourse, according to the most exact and authentick Chro­nicle of St. Albones, which makes this report. The young King in his minor [...]ty granted a great Taxe upon his Subjects both spirituall and temporall, which was called Pole-mony, that is a groat upon every pole or head, which could call them­selves man or woman: which comming in very slowly, divers Courtiers about the King desirous to enrich themselves by the goods of the Commons, complained that it was not faithfully gathered by the Collectors, wherefore they offered to pay a great summe of mony to farme it of the King, which they would gather over and above that which had bin paid, so that by the King they might bee sufficiently au­thorised, who getting Letters to that purpose, sate as Commissioners in divers places of Kent, and Essex, and handled the people very roughly and discourteously, be­yond either mercy or conscience, who no doubt if they had proceeded with cle­mency and humanity, might have prevented those fearefull and horrible disasters which after hapned, for the Commons tooke counsell, and they had private con­ventions amongst themselves and growing to an head made resistance against those exactors rising against them, of which some they slew, others dangerously woun­ded, and the rest were forced to save themselves by flight.

Which tumult began first in Kent, and upon this occasion following one of those Collectors of the Groates or Pole-mony, comming to the house of one Wat Tyler, (so called because he was of that Trade, for his sir name is not otherwise remem­bred) who dwelt at Dartford in Kent, twelve miles from London) and demanded of his wife mony for her Husband, her selfe, and her servant, which she refused not to pay, but the covetous greedy fellow seeing her daughter, a maid scarse 15. yeares of age in the house, demanded a groat for her also: to whom she modestly replyed, that she was but a child, and was not arrived unto that mat [...]rity to be reckoned in the number of women: No, saith the Collector, that shall be tryed, and taking her up in his armes most uncivilly and dishonestly tooke up her cloaths, and bared her before her mother saying, he would see whether she had any pubes upon her or no; and in many places the like barbarous demeanour had bin used: at which the mo­ther hearing her daughter screech out, and seeing how in vaine she struggled against him, being therewith grievously offended, she cryed out also, and leaving the house run into the street amongst her Neighbours, clamoring about that there was one within that would ravish her daughter: The noyse and hubbub grew suddenly so great, that it came to the eare of the Husband, who was then tyling of an house in the Town; who instantly snatching up his Lathing-staffe made what hast he could [Page] home, where finding his daughter weeping and perceiving how she had bin ruffled by the Collector, demanded of him the reason of his vncivill boldnesse? who an­swered him he was a sawcy fellow to aske him such a question, hee had authority for what he did, neither would be give him any account at all for what had passed; and withall made offer to strike at the Tyler, who avoyding the blow up with his staffe, and reached him such a knock upon the pate that he brake his Skull, and the braines flew about the roome, which seeing he presently left the house, told the Neighbours what had hapned, that his cause was now theirs, at which there was great noyse and uproare, they all justifying the act to be good and honest, and that to their best and utmost power, with their lives and goods, they would assist and support him.

And thus that many-headed monster, the multitude being drawne together, they tumultuously went from thence unto Maid-stone, and from thence increasing their number, they came back to Black Heath, incouraging all the Country as they past along, to be partakers with them in their commotion, when besetting all the waies that directed either from London to Canterbury, or from thence to London: They staid and arrested all Passengers of what degree or condition foever, compelling them to sweare; First that they should keep fast and firme their Allegeance to the good King Richard, and to the Commons, and next, if his Majesty should faile, they should accept of no Soveraigne whose name was Iohn, which was for the great envy which they bare unto Iohn Duke of Lancaster, and uncle to the King, who by reason of his conquest of Spaine, writ himselfe King of Castile. And further that they should not yeeld unto any Taxe that should be leavied in the Kingdome, from thence forward, nor consent unto any unlesse it were a fifteene.

The rumor of these bold and presumptuous actions, was quickly spread into Sussex, Essex, Hertford-shire, Cambridge-shire, Suffolke, Norfolke &c. for Fama malum quo non aliud velocius—now when these daily conventions of the Com­mons increased, and their number was almost growne unto an infinite, so that they thought themselves to be of that strength, that no power was able to resist them; they began now to thinke of nothing but misdemeanour and misbeliefe, framing themselves to all the rebellious irregularity that could be devised even unto brutish cruelty.

For first they proclaimed an Edict, to apprehend all Lawyers, whether Judges, Benchers, Barristers or younger Students, and all Justices of Peace, or grand Ju­rors, and to cut off their heads, of which they spared none that fell into their hands, neither was there any one, whom they supposed to have any learning at all, if they found but a Pen and Inkhorne about him, upon whom they did not unanimously cry out with this acclamation, Hence away with him, cut off his head.

The Rebells of Essex having joyned themselves with these of Kent, there came certaine Noble men, and Knights from the King to them, being then on black Heath, to demand of them the cause of this their unlawfull assembly, to whom they sawcily and most unreverently made answer: That for certaine causes best known [Page] to themselves they were come together: but the chiefest was to have some talke with the King, and therefore bad them tell him so, and further if hee would come thither in person, they would tell him their grievances, but to none else they would reveale them.

His Majesty by some who was neare about him was counselled because of the present necessity to satisfie their request in that, and by reason it was no further to give unto them a meeting with all speed possible; but Symon Sudbury then Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor, and Robert Hales, of St. Iohns, Lord high Treasure would by no meanes admit of their Counsell, affirming that it was not for the Kings honour to yeeld to the desires of such base and re­fractory Rebells: but rather to take order for the speedy leavying of an Army to suppresse them: of which the Commons having got Intelligence: they solemn­ly vowed, and in great furie swore, that they would cut off those Traytors heads, and to that purpose, they left black Heath, and instantly marched to­wards London.

And first they dispersed themselves in Southwarke, filling all the places of the Barrough, and the place being not able to containe a tenth part of them, they quartered themselves in the fields, and Countrey thereabouts; and by reason of the vow'd malice and envy that they bore unto the Arch-Bishop, their first Bar­barous attempt was to set upon his Pallace at Lambeth, which they rifled and spoyled, and wonder it was, in regard of their Brutish furie, that they had not set it on fire, and burnt it downe to the ground.

In the interim, the Lord Major, and the Aldermen, fearing also that they would make spoyle of the City, called a Counsell amongst themselves, in which many things were debated for their publick security, and in the end concluded to shut up their gates, let downe their Percullices, chained their streets, and the Citizens should arme themselves, man the wals, and stand upon their guard. But the Me­chanicks and meanest sort of people, who alwayes are apt to envie their superi­ours, and are therefore prone to any Innovation, favouring the cause of the sedi­tious Commons, were so farre from suffering the Major and the Sheriffes to come neare unto the gates, and by shutting them to keep the Rebells out, that they inso­lently opposed them, threatning death to any should attempt it.

This was the occasion, that all the night following being the Eve before Cor­pus Christi day, the Rebells had free ingresse and egresse in and out of the gates, by which they stirred up the Commons of the City, as Artificers, Labourers, and Apprentises to take part with them, and joyne to their faction, making a faire pre­tence, that their purpose was onely to search out such as were traytors to the King and his Realme, and they being cut off, to make a cessation of Armes, and every one peaceably to retyre himselfe into his owne Country.

This faire pretence wrought much in the hearts of the giddy multitude, and the rather because notwithstanding their great number, which was difficultly to be guided they offered violence neither to man nor woman neither tooke any com­modity from them, but at a just and competent price; for whomsoever of their [Page] owne society they found either pillidging or stealing, they used Martiall Law, and commanded his head instantly to be smitten off: The morrow after they had com­munication with divers of the most substantiall Commons of the City to whom if they would adhere unto them, and take part with them, they promised absolute freedome and liberty: insomuch that the most or all of the meaner sort, were sud­dainely drawne into their conspiracie: for joy whereof they were admitted into the Vintners and Merchants Cellers, where they quaffed and dranke together Healths by no allowance, with which Licence not being acquainted, it so wrought within them, that some were merry, others mad: a motion was made to goe in­stantly to the Savoy, which then was the Pallace, and domestick dwelling of the Duke of Lancaster, a place for the rich furniture thereto belonging, through the whole Kingdome was not to be paralleld) and either to burne it, or raze it downe to the earth; for he being an excellent and worthy Prince, their malice towards him was implacable.

Thither they tumultuously hurried in heapes, and setting fire in diverse places thereof made it suddenly all in a flame, and to give the greater coour to their inso­lence, caused Proclamation to be made, that that was done was not to their owne use or proper ends, for no man upon paine of death should reserve any thing, but that all plate and vessells of Silver and gold, or jewells which were there in abun­dance should be battered, defaced, and broken into small peeces and cast into the river, which was accordingly performed, but as our Author writeth, one of the Rebells contrary to the Proclamation tooke a silver Plate, and hid it in his bosome, which being espyed by one of his fellow Rascalls, hee made it knowne to the rest, who instantly laid hold upon him, and without further examination or Triall, cast him into the fire with the Plate, with this loude acclamation, Wee are the maintai­ners of Truth and justiec and are neither Theeves nor robbers.

It is further remarkable, that some of these robbers, to the number of two or three and thirty had got into a Celler of the same house, where they dranke so much sweet and pleasant wine, that they could not find the way out againe in any seasonable time, but with the ruines of the house were so barracadoed in with Tim­ber, rubbish and stone, that they were heard crying and calling for helpe and suc­cour seaven dayes after, where they perisht, all being or not able, or not willing to releive them.

This exploit being over, they againe assembled and broke open a place which was cald the new Temple at the barre, which was a place for Lawyers, and quite demolisht it for no other reason, but the hate which they bore to Sr, Robert Hayles, Master of St. Johns Hospitall, unto which place that of St. Iohns of the Temple belonged. There many writings and Monuments which were then in the custody of the Lawyers were destroyed by fire: after the ruine of this place, many through wearinesse, and others over-laded with wine, lay downe under the walls and stalls there a bouts, where some were slaine by those on whom they had committed such out-rages, and some kild one another upon that advantage for antient and former grudges.

[Page] In the interim whilst these things were in action, another dangerou troop had gathered themselves together to set fire on the Pallace of S. Iohns in Clarkenwell, which was seene to burne seven dayes together, they not suf­fering any man to lay a helping hand to quench it, on the Friday after they burnt the mannor of Highbury, the multitude of the Commons being at that time divided into three severall bands, of which division one part was im­ployed in the burning of Highbury and other places belonging to the Prior of St. Iohns. A second Company lay at Mile-End East of the City, A third lod­ged themselves upon the Tower-hill, to intercept all such Victuall as was for the Kings provision, whilst they on Mile-end sent a bold and perempto­ry message to the King to make his personall appearance before them, and that too all delays and excuses set apart unarmed, and without any guard or power to attend him, which if he should deny to doe, they would not onely pluck downe the Tower upon his head, but neither he, nor any of his Atten­dants should depart alive. Observe herein what rebellion is, and to what impudence it growes, when those that are the Actors therein transgresse all the bounds of Religion and reason, but it followeth (for so the Chronicle relates) that his Majesty advised by some few that were at that time about him, with a small traine, and those altogether unarmed went towards them, (no doubt in great feare) riding on horseback. The gates of the Tower stan­ding open, and a great many of the rascall rabble entring and returning at their owne wills and pleasures.

Here is another thing worthy of note to all Posterity, but especially to the braver spirits of our own Nation, that there were at the same instant, six hun­dred Armed men reputed valiant and expert in Armes, besides sixe hundred able Archers, who all this time hanging down their heads, were mute and stood amazed. They being appointed to guard the sacred person of the King who suffered those pesantly rusticks void of all manners or humanity to enter his Highnesse privy Bed-chamber, and the Queene Dowager his mothers, with their weapons in their hands, and yet against them, made at all no resi­stance N: ay saw them there to play the impudent wantons by lying and spor­ting on his Highnesse owne bed, and further in their homely and base ac­couterment, most sawcily to offer to ruffle and kisse the mother queen, whilst they stood patiently by & sufred it, had these things bin reported to have bin done in any other Forraigne Countres, as we should have thought them alto­gether incredible, but they are related by our owne Domostick Chronolo­ger.

Whilst these things were in agitation, some of this rude rabble made strict inquiry for the Arch-bishop, and some searching one place, and some another, and not finding him, at length finding one of his servants, with in­credible fury they threatned unto him present death, unlesse he would bring them to his Lord and Master, whom they most unreverently called by their owne name Rebel and traytor.

[Page] This groome fearing his life, and therefore not any way daring to contra­dict or to displease them, presently conducted them to the Chappell in the Kings Lodgings, where after masse had beene said and sang, the Reverent Prelate was then busie in his private Orisons, for having received the Sacra­ment, and ignorant either of their comming or purpose, he had the night be­fore confest himselfe to his Ghostly Father (for such was the custome in those dayes) who when he heard that they were come, and had broke open some doores against him, with a noble and Christian-like constancy said to those few of his retinew who at that time attended him. The enemie is now come, let us goe and boldly meete him, for seeing things stand as they now doe, it is much better for us to dye like Martyrs, then to live, being re­ported no better then Malefactors.

At which word the Rebels entred with this clamor, where is this Traytor to the King and common-wealth? To which he answered, Loe I am the man you seeke, the Arch-bishop but no Traytor, where presently they laid rude and violent hands upon his Sacred person, and dragging him out of the Chappell, drew him from the Tower, to the Tower hill, where being com­passed and inclosed with their swords and weapons advanced, he appeared no way discouraged or daunted, but with a Martyr-like constancy uttered these words following.

Resolve me, my deare brethren, what you purpose to doe, what is my of­fence against you or any man for which you purpose to shed mine innocent blood, it were good for you to advise before you take away my life, for if I be thus undeservedly slaine, who am your Pastor, there must consequently fall upon you, the great indignation of the just Revenger, besides for such an heinous fact, all the whole shall be interdicted: scarce had he ended those few words before they cryed out with an horrible clamour that the men there feared nor cared for any interdiction, nor would they allow the Pope to have any power or Supremacy over them: the Archbishop seeing his in­evitable death before him (being an eloquent man, and wise, beyond most of the Kingdome) gave unto them very faire and comfortable words, desi­siring them only to give some short space to pray for his soules health, and then he would submit himselfe to their utmost cruelty, which being scarcely granted, hee forgave the Executioner and kneeling downe offered his head to be smitten off by the headsman.

The first stroke made a great wound in his neck, but was not mortall, when the Arch-bishop putting his hand to the place uttered these words, Aha, it is the hand of God, nor could he so soone remove his hand but at the second blow he wounded him deeper and cut off the ends of his fingers, at which he fell groveling, but was still alive, till being piteously mangled by eight severall blowes he gave up his last breath into his hands from whom he first received it, all that day his body lay unburied, and till the morrow being Satterday none daring to affoord it at any buriall, but tooke his head [Page] and nayling his head upon it fixt it on a Pole, and set it upon London Bridge in the same place where before was fixt the head of Sir Iohn Minster-worth.

This reverend Arch Bishop Simon Tibald, Alias Sandbury, sonne to Nicholas Tibald borne in Sudbury, a towne in Norfolk, Doctor of both Lawes, had beene eighteene yeares Bishop of London, who was cruelly murthered, and his body af­ter borne to Canterbury, and buried in the Cathedrall Church: There dyed with him a most valiant Knight called Sir Robert Hayles, Lord of St. Iohns, and Trea­surer of England with Iohn Legat, one of the Kings Sergeants at Armes, and with them a Fryer of the Order of St. Frances, whose name was William Axpledore, and was at that time Confessor to the King. There was executed also by the Brutish tyranny of these Rebells, one Richard Lyons, an exquisite Lapidary, and a Gold­smith, who had bin some few yeares before Shriefe of the City of London, who was most inhumainly drawne out of his owne house into Cheape side, and there beheaded.

Many the same day had their heads cut off, as well Flemings as English and for no other cause, but onely to fulfill the madnesse of the barbarous Commons, for they spared no men who were not of their diabolcall faction, but they cut off their heads, saying, they cared not whether they sent them, to God, or to the Divell: All sacred places they hold in contempt, as such as they had never bin acquainted with, for even in the Temples, and at the time of divine Service, they did not for­beare to kill and murder any man to whom they had any spleene or malice: But especially their envy was to the Dutch, whom they termed by the generall name of Flemings, who as they supposed sucked the very moysture and marrow of the Kingdome, and therefore out of the Augustine Fryers Church in London, they fetched thirteene Flemings, and out of another Church, (not named in the Chro­nicle) to the number of seventeene, and thirty two out of the Vine-tree, and so out of other places of the City, as also Southwarke, whose heads they struck off with­out any mercy, unlesse they could plainely pronounce Breed and Cheese, for if their speech sounded any way towards Brott and Cawse, off went their heads without redemption, &c.

But I lest the King at Mile-end, it is most pertinent to the History that I give you account how he sped there; thus therefore it followeth: His Majesty riding the­ther rather commanded then invited, was in a great straite and feare withall, when he cast his eye upon such a multitude of unruly Rascalls, who with supercilious fronts gave him an unmannerly salute, he there from fashioned himselfe to the ne­cessity of present and demanded of them what they desired? who delivered unto him a writing, which they said they would have him confirme by his Letters Pat­tent, the effect of part of their demands were these.

First, that all men in the Kingdome whatsoever, should be free from servitude and bondage, so as from that time there should be no bond-men at all, or to hold any Tenure in villanage &c.

Secondly, that he should grant his free and generall pardon to all men of what estate soever, of all manner of Actions, or insurrections committed, and all Rebel­lion, [Page] Treason, Fellonics, Extortions, Robberies, traingressions by any of them done, and further that their peace might bee so confirmed, that there-after their former insolencies might not be called in question, &c.

Thirdly, that all persons from time forward might be infranchised, and have free liberty to buy and sell in every Country, City, Borrough Towne, Fayre, or Mar­ket or otherwise within the Realm of England, &c.

Fourthly, that no Acres of Land held in service or bondage, should bee held but for some pence the Acre, and if it had gone for lesse in former time, it should not there-after be inhanced: These and many other things they required, to bee con­firmed by his Majesty, telling him boldly withall, that he had evilly governed till that day, and that they would take order that from that time forward be should be better counselled.

The King perceiving by their sudden foure countenances, that unlesse he granted punctually to every of their demands, (though never so unreasonable) his person was in great danger, being by them round mvironed, and therefore no possible meanes of his escape sealed to their writings; and desiring Truce for some small time departed thence without any violence done unto his person; and the Essex men returned home peaceably into their Country.

On the morrow being Satterday, and the fifteenth or June, the King after din­ner, went from the Ward-robe in the Royall which is in London, to Westmin­ster, to visite the shrine of St. Edward King and Confessor, and withall to see whe­ther upon it they had committed any out-rage by defacing it: Then went he to the Chappell called our Lady in the Piew, where after he had offered up his Orisons he returned by the Suburbs of West Smith-field, where he found the place thronged with the Kentish Rebells, wherefore he sent to their Captaine to informe them, that he had pacified their fellowes the Essex men, who had abandoned Mile-end, and were peaceably departed home-ward, and that he was pleased in his gracious clemency to grant unto them the like conditions of peace; and superscribe to the same Articles if they pleased to accept of them.

But their chiefe Captaine whom some call Iohn, but the best Chronologers call Walter Hiliard, Alias Tyler, being of a subtle and crafty condition, and wickedly witty made answer, that though he had then the power in his hands, yet hee was willing to listen unto peace but onely thus, with some particular conditions added to his owne approbation and liking, his purpose being to feed the King and the Nobility with delayes, till hee had compassed his diabolicall purpose, whose plot was first the same night to have surprised the King, and all those Peeres which then attended him, Courtiers and others, and then to have spoyled the City, and then to have burnt it to the earth, by setting fire in foure parts thereof at once.

But the Providence of Heaven, who alwaies favoureth and protecteth Justice and innocense, diverted his mischiefe which he intended against others, & powred it on his owne head, as shall appeare by the sequell. For whereas the conditions of peace were ingrossed in their severall Charters, and thrice sent unto him by the King not any of them seemed to please him, therefore his Majesty sent unto him a [Page] Knight, Sir Iohn Newton, a man both of great courage and discretion not to com­mand, but to entreat him, as from the King his Soveraigne (for his great insolence and pride was knowne to all) that hee would vouchsafe to come and speake with him about his owne demands, which should be inserted into his Charter: of which demands▪ by this one which I will set downe, it may manifestly appeare, how uncharit [...]ble how unchristianlike all the rest were.

First, he desired to have a Commission sealed, to behead all Lawyers, of what degree soever, from the highest to the lowest; all Escheaters, or whatsoever by reason of their office communicated with the Law. For his apprehension was, and if this could be compassed, all affaires should be ordered according to the fancie of the Commons, and to change the Monarchy into an Anarchy: For (it is said) that but the day before he had made his boast, putting his hand to his lips that be­fore foure dayes were come about, all the Lawes of England should proceed from his owne mouth.

Now whilst the Knight importuned him for dispatch, that he might returne his answer to the King his Master, he contracted his brow, and in great rage replyed: If thou beest so hastie, go get thee back unto him, and say; I will come unto him at mine owne pleasure and leisure. Notwithstanding which, hee followed on horse­back with a stately and slow pace, casting his eyes about him (as he rode) as glo­rying in the multitude, and that he had been the Prince of all that people. In his way hee was encountred by a Doublet-maker, who had delivered in threescore doublets to the chiefe of the Commons by his appointment and demanded for them thirtie marks, to whom the Captaine made answer; Friend content thy selfe for a while, I will see thee well and fully satisfied before this day be fully ended.

He then set forward, leaving his company behind'him, and came so neare unto the King, that his horse brushed against the Kings horses crupper, and the first words hee spake unto him were these; Sir King, seest thou all you people? Yes, answered the but wheresore doest thou ask me that question? Because (re­plyed he) they be all at my commandement▪ and have sworne to me their faith and obedience, to do all things what soever I shall impose on them. In good time, answered the King, I beleeve it well. Then said the Rebell, Beleevest thou King, that this people, and as many mo as be in this Citie at my command and service, will depart from thee thus without thy Charters? No, said the King▪ you shall willingly receive them, and they shall be presently delivered unto you.

The King no sooner ended his speech, but the proud Rebell casting a scornfull eye upon Sir Iohn Newton, who at that time bore the sword, and was on horse­back, as if hee had been much offended, said unto him, that It would better have becommed him to have been on foot, than so mounted in that presence, To whom the Knight not forgetting his old courage, made answer, that he hoped there was no great offence in that, seeing himselfe was on horse-back also. At which reply he was so much incensed, that hee called him Traytour, drew his dagger and pres­sing towards him, offered to wound him; who boldly drew his dagger also, and told him hee lyed, and withall made towards him, but they were kept asun [...]er. [Page] Wat Tyler scorning to take such an affront before his companions, drew his sword too, and made after him. But the King seeing him in such danger, commanded him to alight, and deliver his dagger up to the Captaine. But when his scarce-heard off insolence could not be therewith satisfied, he said that he would have his sword also. The Knight answered, that the sword was the Kings, and further said, Thou art a Rebell, and not worthy of it, nor durst thou demand it of mee, if thou and I were alone together in this place. To which Wat Tyler, now in a grea­ter furie, replyed; I will not eat nor drink, till I have thine head upon that swords point; and againe run at him. But at the verie instant, when these things were in agitation, came to the place William Walworth Fishmonger, and then Lord Mayor of London (a man of an invincible spirit and courage) who brought in his traine many Knights, Esquires and Gentlemen, to assist the King, who seeing this pre­sumptuous outrage done, in his spirit spake aloud, and said; My Soveraigne Leige, it were a shame insufferable, and never till this time heard of, that this no­ble Knight your loyall Subject, should be murdered before the face of his Sove­raigne; therefore command this rebellious Captaine to be arrested upon high and capitall treason. At whch words the King, though but of tender yeares, tooke manly boldnesse upon, and commanded the Lord Mjaor to lay hands upon him, who with an incomparable courage, without further pause or delay, arrested him with his Mace, not on the shoulder, but the head, and that with such a sound

blow, that he struck him from his horse, and laid him groveling on the earth, much stounded and amazed, when suddenly dismounting, hee stabbed him with a short dagger (which hee then wore) into the bosome, whom an Esquire of the Kings, called Iohn Cavendish seconded, and with his sword ran him into the belly, after by others that stood by hee received many wounds; which done, they drew his dead and mangled body out of the presse, and laid it in the Hospitall of St. Bar­tholomewes. This when the Commons had notice of, for it was publikely done, [Page] and not in a corner, they made a loud exclamation, that their Captaine was trea­cherously murdered, encouraging one another speedily to revenge his death, ben­ding their bowes, and managing such weapons as they had about them to that purpose. At which the King rode unto them in person, and said; What meane you, my deare and loving Subjects, will you shoot at your King? be not mutinous about the death of a Rebell and Traytour, I will be your Soveraigne, and will be your Captaine and Leader; follow me then, and you shall receive at my hands are-dresse of all your grievances, even to your owne hearts desire. And this the King was counselled to do, lest these seditious Rascals should set fire on the houses in Smithfield, and other parts of the Suburbs, being at that time in great furie for the death of their Captaine. The presence of the Kings Majesty somewhat abated their rage, they therefore followed him into the open field; the Souldiers that were then about his Highnesse, not knowing whether they would quietly depart the place with their Charter, or lay violent hands upon his sacred person.

In this Interim the Lord Mayor, for his last noble and memorable enterprise, worthy to be eternized, to second his former pecce of service, sped him instantly into the City, and cryed out aloud; You good and faithfull Citizens, arme your selves with all speed possible, and helpe to assist your King and Soveraigne, who is in grear perill to be slaine; and ayde me your Major and Governour who am in the danger, or if you will not suffer me, yet leave not his select Majesty destitute.

Which when the well-minded Cityzens heard in whose loyall brest the love of their King was ingraven, they presently to the number of a thousand armed them­selves, and staid in the streets attending for some Captaine to order them, and leade them towards the King, at which instant came to them a noble Knight and a Soul­dier, who was also a freeman of the City: him they intreated to take upon him that charge, to which he willingly and most cheerefully assented, the greatest part of them were under his conduct, the rest were commanded by the Lord Major, one Preducus Dalbret, and some other Knight in the story not named. These with this ayde presented themselves before the King, who greatly rejoycing in the faith and loyalty of his armed Citizens, presently with these fresh forces compassed the Re­bells about.

Now there appeared (by Gods wonderfull goodnes) a sudden and unexpected alteration, for the seditious Commons who but some few minutes before stood up­pon such peremptory and proud tearmes with the King himselfe, finding themselves thus invironed, flung downe their weapons at once, and with a loud unanimous voyce cryed pardon, pardon; such as could escape out of the Ring fled, and hid themselves, some in Cellers, others in the Corne fields, Woods and Ditches, &c. They being now at the Kings mercy, the Lords and the rest about desirous to take some vengeance of their former insolency, besought his Majesty that for example sake he would command some hundred or two of their heads to bee strunk off, to whose request he would no way condescend, but gave order that their Charter which was sealed should be delivered unto them, which was to prevent a new In­surrection, as knowing, that Essex was not yet altogether pacified nor Kent quieted. [Page] The Commons having gotten their Charter, and much taken with the Kings extra­ordinary and unexpected mercy, they left both City and Suburbs, and departed homeward; when the King calling the Lord Major before him he Knighted him in the Field, as he had most worthily deserved: The like he did to Nicholas Brember, Iohn Philpot, Robert Lawnd, Iohn Standish, Nicholas Twisord, and Adam Frances Aldermen, and after entred the City in great state, where he was joyfully received from thence, he went to visite his Mother, who was at that time lodged in the Tower Royall, in a part thereof called the Queenes Wardrope, where she had re­mained for the space of two dayes and two nights, the time of this combustion, much bewayling and lamenting her Sons imminent danger, whom when she saw to re­turne safe she was greatly comforted, and with teares of joy said: O my deare Son, what sorrowes have I suffered for you even to this houre? who answered againe, Certainly Madam, I knew it well but now rejoyce, and praise God with me, for I have this day recovered mine Heritage, and the Realm of England, which I had almost lost: Then he gave present Commandements, that the Arch-Bishops head should be taken from off the Bridge, and Wat Tylers to be set in the place.

His Majesty further in remembrance of this joyfull day, and for the Cities greater honour, who next under God were his sole deliverers granted, that in regard that worthy William Walworth the Lord Major had staine that dangerous Rebell with a Dagger, a bloudy Dagger should therefore be added unto the Armes of the City, and to be placed in the right quarter of the Escutchion as an addition to the Armes, and to celebrate the memory of a Lord Majors valiant act, for before that time the City bore onely a Crosse without a Dagger.

And where it hath bin vulgarly bruted, that the Rebell whom Sir William Wal­worth flew was not Wat Tyler, but Iack Straw, that doubt is thus easily reconcil'd; for Iack Straw was not taken till after the death of Wat Tyler, being then appre­hended with divers others the chiefe of that horrible sedition, who being brought into the Guild-hall where the Lord Major sate in Judgement, having pronounced the Sentence of death upon them; he openly spake to Iack Straw as followeth:

John behold thy Sentence is past, and thine unavoidable death at hand, for thou hast not many houres to live; wherefore I intreat thee, since there is no way to save thy body, that for thy soules health thou wilt now without extenuating thy grie­vous fault which is inexcusable▪ that thou betwixt God and thy Conscience resolve this Honourable Bench, what the utmost of your purpose was, and to what end you so mutinously assembled the Commons: who making a sad pause to this de­mand, The Lord Major againe thus seconded it; I speake to thee as to a dying man, who now ought to study for the peace of thy soule, and not dissemble at all either with God, or man: at which words recollecting his spirits, hee returned this answer following:

Now I confesse in vaine it booteth me not either to lye, or make any delatory or evasive excuse, understanding that if I should so doe, I might indanger my soule unto the greater torments; and besides, I hope to obtaine two benefits by speaki [...]g truth: First, that I thereby may somewhat benefit the Common-weale in the fu­ture▪ [Page] and next according to your promises, I hope to bee assisted by your prayers, that God would be mercifull unto my soule. And therefore thus I deliver unto you my conscience faithfully, and without deceite.

Being assembled upon blacke Heath, at that time when we sent for the King to come unto us, our resolution was, to have slaine all the Nobles, Knights, and Esquires about him, and to have taken him into our own custody, to the intent that the people might have repayred unto us with more boldnesse, and lesse feare; since we would have made them to beleeve, that whatsoever we did was by his Ma­jesties Authority: And next when we had got such power that we needed not to be affraid of any other forces which might be raised in the Kingdome, our purpose was then to have slaine all such of the Nobility, as might either have given Coun­sell, or made any resistance against us. But more in particular, wee would have massacred all the Knights of the Rhodes, and St. Iohns Knights, or burned their houses over their eares: And lastly, we would have slaine the King himselfe, and all Gentlemen of any revenue throughout the Kingdome, with all Arch-Bi­shops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Monks, Canons, and Parsons of Churches, reser­ving onely some few Mendicants or begging Fryers, they being sufficiently able for saying Masse, and the administration of the Sacraments.

And having made a cleare riddance of all those unnecessary Members of the Common-weale (for so at that time it pleased us to call them) wee would have abrogated the old Lawes, and devised new according to our own fancies; by which the whole Realm should be governed, for we had determined to have divided the Kingdome, and to have made Kings amongst our selves, as Wat Tyler in Kent, my selfe in Essex, and others in other places: but by reason that these our designes were prevented by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, who disswaded the King from comming amongst us, we vowed by all meanes to insidiate his life, and to dispatch him out of the way, which we did after: And further, the self same evening that Wat Tyler was slaine in Smithfield, we resolutely determined, (having the greatest part of the Commons of the City bent to assist us in the Act) to set fire in foure severall parts of the same at once, and to have divided the spoile amongst us: and this saith he, was our resolved purpose, and concluded on by all, as God may helpe me now at my last end. After this Confession made, he with many others of his late faction, were lead unto the place of Execution, whose heads being struck off, his was put upon a pole and set upon the Bridge next unto Wat Tylers.

Here I might enter into a large discourse of the horridnesse of Rebellion; as that of Ireland, whose distressed estate is very lamentable, whose rebellion and outrages I hope will be considered, and they speedily (by the permission of the Almighty) receive their just rewards. Rebellion can no way be better illustrated then by the sad and lamentable effects expressed in the premisses: I will therefore con­clude with that of the Prophet Samuel, Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and Transgression is wickednes and Idolatry.