But to returne to saie somewhat more concerning the end of their
rebellious enterprises, you must vnderstand, how after that Wat Tiler
was slaine at London in the presence of the king (as before ye haue
heard) the hope and confidence of the rebels greatlie decaied: and
yet neuerthelesse, the king and his councell being not well assured,
granted to the commons (as ye haue heard) charters of manumission and
infranchisement from all |747| bondage, and so sent them awaie home
to their countries: and foorthwith herevpon he assembled an armie of
the Londoners, and of all others in the countries abroad that bare him
good will, appointing none to come, but such as were armed and had
horsses, for he would haue no footmen with him. Thus it came to passe,
that within thrée daies he had about him fourtie thousand horssemen, as
was estéemed; so that in England had not béene heard of the like armie
assembled togither at one time. And herewith was the king aduertised,
that the Kentishmen began eftsoones to stir, wherewith the king and
the whole armie were so grieuouslie offended, that they meant streight
to haue set vpon that countrie, and to haue wholie destroied that
rebellious generation. But thorough intercession made by the lords and
gentlemen of that countrie, the king pacified his mood, and so resolued
to procéed against them by order of law and iustice, causing iudges to
sit and to make inquisition of the malefactors, and especiallie of such
as were authors of the mischéefes.
[Sidenote: Iack Straw and his adherents executed.]
And about the same time did the maior of London sit in iudgement, as
well vpon the offendors that were citizens, as of other that were
of Kent, Essex, Southsex, Norffolke, Suffolke, and other counties,
being found within the liberties of the citie; and such as were found
culpable, he caused them to lose their heads, as Iacke Straw, Iohn
Kirkbie, Alane Tredera, and Iohn Sterling, that gloried of himselfe,
for that he was the man that had slaine the archbishop. This fellow (as
it is written by some authors) streight waies after he had doone that
wicked deed, fell out of his wits, and comming home into Essex where
he dwelt, tied a naked sword about his necke, that hoong downe before
on his brest, and likewise a dagger naked, that hanged downe behind on
his backe, and so went vp and downe the lanes & stréets about home,
crieng out, and protesting, that with those weapons he had dispatched
the archbishop; and after he had remained a while at home, he came
to London againe, for that he shuld receiue (as he said) the reward
there of the act which he had committed: and so indéed, when he came
thither, and boldlie confessed that he was the man that had beheaded
the archbishop, he lost his head in steed of a recompense: and diuerse
other both of Essex and Kent, that had laid violent hands vpon the
archbishop came to the like end at London, where they did the deed,
being bewraied by their owne confessions.
[Sidenote: The maior and fiue aldermen knighted.