In like maner in Norffolke there was assembled an huge number of those
vnrulie countrie people, which vnder the guiding of a dier of cloth,
commonlie called Iohn Littester, that had dwelt in Norwich, attempted
and did all such vngratious feats, as they had heard that other did in
other parts of the realme, yea and greater also, putting foorth their
hands vnto rapine and robberie. And whereas they were wholie conspired
togither, and bent to commit all kind of mischéefe, yet estéeming their
owne authoritie to be small, they purposed to haue brought William
Vfford earle of Suffolke into their fellowship, that if afterwards they
might happilie be impeached hereafter, for such their naughtie and most
wicked dooings, they might haue had some shadow or colour, as it were
through him, whie they had delt in such vnrulie sort. But the earle
aduertised of their intention, suddenlie rose from supper, and got him
awaie by vnknowne waies, still fleeing from the commons, till at length
he got to S. Albons, and so from thence to the king.
[Sidenote: The Norfolk rebels compell the noblemen & gentlemen to be
sworne to them.
Sir Robert Salle slaine by one of his own villains.
The capteine of the Norfolke rebels forceth the noblemen and gentlemen
to serue him at the table.]
The commons missing of their purpose for the hauing of him, laid hold
vpon all such knights and other gentlemen as came in their waie, and
were found at home in their houses, compelling them to be sworne to
them, and to ride with them through the countrie, as the lord Scales,
William lord Morlie, sir Iohn Brewes, sir Stephan Hales, and sir Robert
Salle: which sir Robert continued not long aliue among them, for he
could not dissemble as the residue, but began to reprooue openlie
their naughtie dooings, for the which he had his braines dasht out by
a countrie clown, one that was his bondman, and so he ended his life,
who if he might haue come to haue tried his manhood and strength with
them in plaine battell, had beene able to haue put a thousand of those
villaines in feare, his valiancie and prowesse was such. The residue
taught by his example that they must either dissemble or die for it,
were glad to currie fauour, praising or dispraising all things as
they saw the commons affected, and so comming into credit with their
chéefteine Iohn Littester, that named himselfe king of the commons,
they were preferred to serue him at the table, in taking the assaie of
his meats and drinks, and dooing other seruices, with knéeling humblie
before him as he sat at meat, as sir Stephan Hales who was appointed
his caruer, and others had other offices assigned them.
[Sidenote: A warlike bishop.]
At length, when those commons began to wax wearie of taking paines
in euill dooings, they tooke counsell togither, and agreed to send
two knights, to wit, the lord Morlie, and sir Iohn Brewes, and three
of the commons, in whom they put great confidence, vnto the king; to
obteine their charter of manumission and infranchising, and to haue
the same charter more large than those that were granted to other
countries. They deliuered great summes of monie vnto those whome they
sent, to bestow the same for the obteining of pardon, and such grants
as they sued for, which monie they had got by force of the citizens of
Norwich, to saue the citie from fire and sacking. These knights as they
were on their iournie, at Ichingham not farre distant from Newmarket,
not looking for anie such thing, met with sir Henrie Spenser bishop
of Norwich, a man more fit for the field than the church, & better
skilled (as may appéere) in arms than in diuinitie. This bishop had
aduertisements at his manor of Burlie néere to Okam in the parties
about Stamford, of the sturre which the commons in Norffolke kept, and
therevpon resolued streightwaies to |746| see what rule there was
holden. He had in his companie at that time, not passing eight lances,
and a small number of archers.
[Sidenote: Spenser bish. of Norwich goeth as capteine against the
rebels.]
The bishop méeting thus with the knights, examined them streightwaies
if there were anie of the traitours there with them. The knights at the
first were doubtfull to bewraie their associats: but at last imboldened
by the bishops words, declared that two of the chéefe dooers in the
rebellion were there present, and the third was gone to prouide for
their dinner. The bishop streightwaies commanded those two to be made
shorter by the head, and the third he himselfe went to seeke, as one
of his shéepe that was lost; not to bring him home to the fold, but to
the slaughter-house, as he had well deserued (in the bishops opinion)
sith he had so mischéefouslie gone astraie, and alienated himselfe from
his dutifull allegiance. These persons being executed, and their heads
pight on the end of poles, and so set vp at Newmarket, the bishop with
the knights tooke their waie with all spéed towards Northwalsham in
Norffolke, where the commons were purposed to staie for answer from the
king: and as he passed through the countrie, his number increased, for
the knights and gentlemen of the countrie, hearing how their bishop had
taken his speare in hand, and was come into the field armed, ioined
themselues with him.
[Sidenote: The fortifieng of the rebels campe.
The bishop is the first man that chargeth the rebels in their campe.