On saint Stephans daie they tooke their waie to London with an armie
of fortie thousand men, as some write; & comming into the fields
besides Clerkenwell, mustered their men, being diuided in thrée
seuerall battels verie well appointed with armor and weapon, that it
was a beautifull sight to behold them. The king kept his Christmas,
not at Westminster, but in the Tower; not douting but there to be
defended what chance soeuer should happen. The lords mistrusting the
Londoners, lodged them with their people in the suburbs. They sent yet
two knights, and two esquiers, vnto the Maior and Aldermen men of the
citie, to vnderstand whether they were minded to take part with them,
or with the duke of Ireland, and his adherents, traitors (as they
tearmed them) both to the king and the realme. The Londoners were now
in no small feare and perplexitie, not knowing well what waie was best
for them to take, weieng diuers perils; as first the kings displeasure,
if they opened their gates vnto the lords; and if they shut them
foorth, they feared the indignation and wrath of the commons that were
come thither with the lords, and were readie to breake downe their wals
and gates, if they were neuer so little prouoked. Besides this, they
stoode most in doubt, least if the wealthiest citizens should not giue
their consent to receiue the lords into the citie, the meaner sort, and
such as wished rather to sée some hurlie burlie than to continue in
peace, would séeke by force to set open the gates, and make waie for
the lords and their people to enter, that they might make hauocke, and
spoile whatsoeuer might be found of value in the rich mens houses.
[Sidenote: The Londoners incline to the lords.
The lords enter into London.