Jack Straw

THE LIFE AND Death of Iacke Straw , A notable Rebell in England : Who was kild in Smithfield by the Lord Maior of London .

Printed at London by Iohn Danter , and are to be solde by William Barley at his shop in Gratious-street ouer against Leaden-Hall , 1593 .

THE LIFE AND Death of Iacke Strawe . Actus primus . Collector . NOw such a murmuring to rise vpon so trifling a thing , In all my life neuer saw I before : And yet I haue beene Officer this seauen yeare and more . The Tyler and his wife are in a great rage , Affirming their Daughter to be vnder age . Iacke Strawe . Art thou the Collector of the Kings taske ? Collector . I am Tyler why dost thou aske ? Iacke Strawe . Because thou goest beyond the Commission of the King , We graunt to his Highnes pleasure in euery thing : Thou hast thy taske money for all that be heere , My Daughter is not fourteene yeares olde , therefore shee goes cleare . Collector . And because thou sayest so , I should beleeue thee . Iacke Strawe . Choose whether thou wilt or no , thou gettest no more of me . For I am sure thy Office doth not arme thee with such authoritie . Thus to abuse the poore people of the Countrie . But chiefest of all vilde villaine as thou art , To play so vnmanly and beastly a part , As to search my daughter thus in my presence . Collector . Why base villaine , wilt thou teach me what to do ? Wilt thou prescribe me mine office , and what belonges thereto ? Iacke Strawe . What villaine , dost strike me ? I sweare by the rood , As I am Iacke Strawe , thou shalt buy it with thy blood . There lie and be well paid for thy paine . Collector . O helpe , helpe , the kings officer is slaine . Enter Parson Ball , Wat Tyler , Nobs , Tom Miller the Clowne . Wat Tyler . How now Iacke Strawe , doth any body abuse thee ? Iacke Strawe . Alas Wat , I haue kild the kings officer in striking rashly . Tom Miller . A small matter to recouer a man that is slaine , Blow wind in his tayle , and fetch him againe . Parson Ball . Content thee , t is no matter , and Iacke Strawe god a mercie , Herein thou hast done good seruice to thy country : Were all inhumaine slaues so serued as he , England would be ciuill , and from all such dealings free . Nobs . By gogs bloud my maisters , we will not put vp this so quietly , We owe God a death , and we can but die : And though the fairest end of a Rebell is the gallowes . Yet if you will be rulde by mee , We le so deale of ourselues as we le reuenge this villainy , Iacke Strawe . The king God wot knowes not what s done by such poore men as we , But we le make him know it , if you will be rulde by me : Her 's Parson Ball an honest Priest , and telles vs that in charitie , We may sticke together in such quarrels honestly . Tom Miller . What is he an honest man ? the deuill he is , he is the Parson of the Towne , You thinke ther 's no knauerie hid vnder a black gowne , Find him in a pulpit but twise in the yeare , And I le find him fortie times in the ale-house tasting strong beare . Parson Ball . Neighbors , neighbors , the weakest now a dayes goes to the wall , But marke my words , and follow the counsell of Iohn Ball . England is growne to such a passe of late , That rich men triumph to see the poore beg at their gate . But I am able by good scripture before you to proue , That God doth not this dealing allow nor loue . But when Adam delued , and Eue span , Who was then a Gentleman . Brethren , brethren , it were better to haue this communitie , Then to haue this difference in degrees : The landlord his rent , the lawyer his fees . So quickly the poore mans substance is spent , But merrily with the world it went , When men eat berries of the hauthorne tree , And thou helpe me , I le helpe thee , There was no place for surgerie , And old men knew not vsurie : Now t is come to a wofull passe , The Widdow that hath but a pan of brasse , And scarse a house to hide her head , Sometimes no penny to buy her bread , Must pay her Landlord many a groat , Or t wil be puld out of her throat : Brethren mine so might I thriue , As I wish not to be aliue , To see such dealings with extremitie , The Rich haue all , the poore liue in miserie : But follow the counsell of Iohn Ball , I promise you I loue yee all : And make diuision equally , Of each mans goods indifferently , And rightly may you follow Armes , To rid you from these ciuill harmes . Iacke Straw . Well said Parson so may it bee , As wee purpose to preferre thee : Wee will haue all the Rich men displaste , And all the brauerie of them defaste , And as rightly as I am Iacke Straw , In spight of all the men of Law , Make thee Archbishop of Caunterberie , And Chauncellor of England or I le die . How saist thou Wat , shall it bee so ? Wat Tyler . I Iacke Straw , or else I le bide many a fowle blow . It shall bee no other but hee , That thus fauours the Communaltie , Stay wee no longer prating here , But let vs roundly to this geare , T is more than time that we were gone , We le be Lords my Maisters euery one . Tom Miller . And I my Maisters will make one , To fight when all our foes be gone , Well shall they see before we le lacke , We le stuffe the Gallowes till it cracke . Iacke Straw . I hope we shall haue men inow , To aide vs herein Wat , how thinkest thou ? Parson Ball . Tag and rag thou needst not doubt . Wat Tyler . But who shall be Captaine of the Rowt . Parson Ball . That shall you two for all our Kentish men . Iacke Straw . Fellow Captaine welcome let s about it . Wat Tyler . Agreed fellow Captaines to London . Exeunt all but Nobs . Nobs . Here 's euen worke towards for the Hangman , did you euer see such a crue , After so bad a beginning , what s like to insue ? Faith euen the common reward for Rebels , Swingledome swangledome , you know as well as I , But what care they , yee heare them say they owe God a death , and they can but die : T is dishonor for such as they to dye in their bed , And credit to cape : vnder the Gallowes all saue the head : And yet by my fay the beginning of this Riot , May chaunce cost many a mans life before all be at quiet : And I faith I le be amongst them as forward as the best . And if ought fall out but wel , I shall shift amongst the rest , And being but a boy , may hide me in the throng , Tyborn stand fast , I feare you will be loden ere it be long . Exeunt . Enter Lord Treasorer , Lord Archbishop , and Secretarie , with others . Lord Treasorer . And yet Lord Archbishop your Grace doth know , That since the latest time of Parliament , Wherein this taske was graunted to the King , By generall consent of either house , To helpe his warres which hee intends to Fraunce , For wreake and iust recouerie of his right , How slow their payment is in euery place , That better a King not to commaund at all , Than be beholding to vngratefull mindes . Archbishop . Lord Treasorer it seemeth strange to mee , That being wonne with reason and regard , Of true succeeding Prince , the common sort , Should be so slacke to giue or grudge the gift , That is to be employd for their behoofe , Hard and vnnaturall be the thoughts of theirs , That sucke the milke , and will not helpe the Well , The King himselfe being now but young of age : If things should fall out otherwise than well , The blame doth fall vpon the Counsellor , And if I take my aime not all awrie , The Multitude a Beast of many heads , Of misconceiuing and misconstruing minds , Reputes this last beneuolence to the King , Giuen at high Court of Parliament , A matter more requirde for priuate good , Than helpe or benefite of common weale , Wherein how much they wrong the better sort , My conscience beareth witnes in the cause . Secretarie . My Lords , because your words not worthles are , Because they stand on reasons surest ground , And tend vnto the profit of the King , Whose profit is the profit of the Land , Yet giue me leaue in reuerence of the cause , To speake my minde touching this question : When such as wee doo see the peoples harts , Exprest as farre as time will giue them leaue , With hartines of their beneuolence , My thinks it were for others happines , That harts and purses should together goe : Misdeeme not good my Lords of this my speach , Sith well I wote the Noble and the slaue , And all doo liue but for a Common weale , Which Common weale in other tearmes , is the Kings . Messenger . The Iustices and Sheriffes of Kent , sends greetings to your Honours here by mee . Archbishop . My Lords , this briefe doth openly vnfold , A dangerous taske to vs and all our traines , With speede let vs impart the newes vnto my Lord the King , The fearefull newes that whilst the flame doth but begin , Sad pollicie may serue to quench the fire : The Commons nowe are vp in Kent , let vs not suffer this first attempt too farre . Treasorer . My friend what powre haue they assembled in the field . Messenger . My Lord a twentie thousand men or there about . Secretarie . See here the perill that was late foreseene , Ready to fall on this vnhappie Land : What barbarous mindes for grieuance more than needs , Vnnaturallie seeks wreake vpon their Lord , Their true annointed Prince , their lawfull king : So dare this blind vnshamefast multitude , Lay violent hands they wot not why nor where : But be thou still as best becommeth thee , To stand in quarrell with thy naturall Liege , The Sunne may sometime be eclipst with Clowds , But hardlie may the twinckling starres obscure , Or put him out of whom they borrow light . Exeunt . Enter Iacke Straw , Wat Tyler , Hob Carter , Tom Miller , and Nobs . Iacke Straw . I marrie Wat this is another matter , me thinks the worlde is changed of late , Who would liue like a beggar , and may be in this estate . Wat Tyler . Wee are here fowre Captaines iust , Iacke Strawe , Wat Tyler , Hob Carter , and Tom Miller : Search me all England and find fower such Captaines , and by gogs bloud I le be hangd . Nobs . So you will be neuerthelesse I stand in great doubt . Hob Carter . Captaine Strawe , and Captaine Tyler , I thinke I haue brought a companie of Essex men for my traine , That will neuer yeeld , but kill or else be slaine . Tom Miller . And for a little Captaine I haue the vantage of you all , For while you are a fighting , I can creepe into a quart pot I am so small . Nobs . But Maisters what aunswere made Syr Iohn Morton at Rochester , I heard say hee would keepe the Castle still , for the Kings vse . Iacke Straw .

So he did til I fetcht him out by force , and I haue his wife and children pledges , for his speedie returne from the King , to whom he is gone with our message .

Tom Miller . Let him take heede hee bring a wise answere to our worships , or els his pledges goes to the pot . Hob Carter . Captaine Straw , how many men haue we in the field , Iacke Straw . Marrie Captaine Carter , about fiftie thousand men . Hob Carter . Where shall we pitch our tents to lie in safetie . Iacke Straw . Marrie Hob vpon Blacke-heath beside Greenwich , there we le lie , And if the King will come thither to know our pleasures so it is : if not , I know what we le doo . Wat Tyler . Gogs bloud Iacke , haue we the cards in our hands ? Let s take it vpon vs while we haue it . Exeunt . Nobs . I marrie , for you know not how long you shall hold it . Fiftie thousand men they haue alreadie in Armes that will draw together , If wee hang together as fast , some of vs shall repent it . Exeunt . Enter the Queene Mother , the County of Salsburie , and a Gentleman Usher . Queene Mother . This strange vnwelcome and vnhappie newes , Of these vnnaturall Rebels and vniust , That threaten wracke vnto this wretched Land , Aye me affrights my womans mazed minde , Burdens my heart , and interrupts my sleepe , That now vnlesse some better tidings come , Vnto my sonne their true annointed King . My heauy hart I feare will breake in twaine , Surcharged with a heauie loade of thoughts . County Salsburie . Madam , your Graces care in this , I much commend , For though your sonne my Lord the King be young , Yet he will see so well vnto him selfe , That he will make the prowdest Rebell know , What t is to mooue or to displease a King , And though his looks bewray such lenitie , Yet at aduantage hee can vse extremitie : Your Grace may call to minde that being a king , He will not put vp any iniurie , Especiallie of base and common men , Which are not worthie but with reuerence , To looke into the Princelie state of Kings , A King sometimes will make a show of curtesie , Onely to fit a following pollicie : And it may be the King determines so , That hee will trie before he trust a foe . Usher . True Madam , for your Graces sonne the King , Is so well ruled by diuers of his Pieres , As that I thinke the prowdest foe hee hath , Shall find more worke than hee will take in hand , That seeks the downefall of his Maiestie : I hope the Councell are too wise for that , To suffer Rebels in aspiring pride , That purpose treason to the Prince and state . In good time , see where my Lord the King , Doth come accompanied with the Bishoppe and Lord Treasorer . King . I maruaile much my Lords what rage it is , That moues my people whom I loue so deare , Vnder a show of quarrell good and iust , To rise against vs thus in mutinies , With threatning force against our state and vs : But if it bee as we are giuen to know , By Letters and by credible report , A litle sparke hath kindled all this fire , Which must be quencht with circumspect regard , Before we feele the violence of the flame : Mean while , sweete Ladie Mother be content , And thinke their mallice shall not iniure you , For wee haue tooles to crop and cut them off , Ere they presume to touch our Royall selfe , And thus resolue , that you secure shall bee , What hard mishap soeuer fall to mee . Enter Messenger . Health and good hap befall your Maiestie . Usher . My Lord here is a messenger from Kent , That craues accesse vnto your Maiestie . King . Admit him neere , for wee will heare him speake , T is hard when twixt the people and the King , Such termes of threats and parlies must be had , Would any Gentleman or man of worth , Be seene in such a cause without offence , Both to his God , his Countrie , and his Prince , Except he were inforced thereunto ? Queene . I cannot thinke so good a Gentleman , As is that Knight Syr Iohn Morton I meane , Would entertaine so base and vild a thought : Nor can it sinke into my womans head , That were it not for feare or pollicie , So true a bird would file so faire a nest , But here hee comes , O so my longing minde , Desires to know the tidings hee doth bring . Morton . The Commons of Kent salute your Maiestie , And I am made their vnhappie messenger : My Lord , a crue of Rebels are in field , And they haue made commotions late in Kent , And drawne your people to a mutinie : And if your Grace see not to it in time , Your Land will come to ruine by their meanes , Yet may your Grace finde remedie in time , To quallifie their pride that thus presume . Bishop . Who are the Captaines of this Rebel rowt , That thus doo rise gainst their annointed King ? What bee they men of any worth or no ? If men of worth , I cannot choose but pittie them . Morton . No my good Lord , they bee men of no great account , For they bee none but Tylers , Thatchers , Millers , and such like . That in their liues did neuer come in field , Before this mutanie did call them forth : And for securitie of my backe returne , Vpon this message which I showd the King , They keepe my wife and children for a pledge , And hald mee out from forth my Castell at Rochester , And swore me there to come vnto your Maiestie , And hauing told you their mindes , I hope your Grace will pardon mee for all : In that I am enforced therevnto . King . How many men haue they assembled in the field ? Morton . I thinke my Lord about twentie thousand men , But if your Grace would follow my aduice , Thus would I deale with these Rebellious men , I would finde time to parly with some of them , And know what in their mindes they doo intend , For being armed with such treacherous thoughts , They may performe more than your Grace expects . King . With speede returne to those vnnaturall men , And see Syr Iohn you greete them thus from vs , Tell them that wee our selfe will come to them , To vnderstand their meaning and their mindes : And tell them if they haue any euill sustaind , Our selfe will see sufficient recompence : Goe good Syr Iohn , and tell them vpon the Thames , Our selfe will meete with them , There to conferre concerning their auaile , Doe so Sir Iohn and kindely recommend vs to them all . Morton . We shall fulfill your graces minde in this , And thus I take my Conge of your Maiestie , Wishing your Grace thrice Nestors yeares to raigne , To keepe your Land , and gard your Royall Traine , Queene . Farewell good Knight and as thou darest remember them though they forget themselues . Bishop . Exeunt Morton . Your grace heerein is very well aduisd , With resolution fitting your degree , Your Grace must shew your selfe to be a King , And rule like Gods visgerent here on earth , The lookes of Kinges doe lend both life and death , And when a King doth set downe his decree , His sentence should be irreuocable , Your grace herein hath showne your Princely minde , In that you hate to pray on carren flesh , Such praies befits not Kings to pray vpon , That may command and countermand their owne . I hope my Lord this message so will proue , That publike hate will turne to priuate loue . And therefore I say my Lord you haue answered well , The taske was giuen your Grace by Act of Parliament , And you haue reason to demand your dew . King . My Lords I hope we shall not neede to feare , To meete those men that thus doe threaten vs . We will my Lords to morrowe meete with them , And heare my Lords what t is that they demand . Mother your Grace shall need to take no care , For you shall in our Towre of London stay , Till we returne from Kent to you againe . My Lord see euery thing prepard for vs : And Mother thus I leaue your Maiestie , You to the Towre , and I must hence to Kent , Treasorer . My Lord if so you please take my aduise herein , That speakes in loue and duty to your grace : I shall in euerie matter priueledge your Maiestie and all your Lordly traine . I meane against your Mannor of Greenewich towne , And so amidst the streame may houer safe , Meane while they send some few and chosen men , To giue your Grace to vnderstand their mindes , And thus my Lord I haue aduentured , To shew your Maiestie my minde herein . Finis Actus Primus .

Actus Secundus . Enter Tom Miller with a Goose . IT is good to make prouision , for peraduenture wee shall lacke victuals and wee lie in campe on Blacke Heath long . And in faith as long as this Goose lasts we le not starue : And as many good fellowes as will come to the eating of her , come and welcome . For in faith I came lightly by her , And lightly come lightly gone , We Captaines are Lords within our selues , And if the world hold out we shal be Kings shortly . Enter Nobs and cut away the Goose while he talketh , and leue the head behinde him with them & Morton . Tom Miller . The rest of my fellowe Captaines are gone before to Grenewich to meete the King : That comes to knowe our mindes , And while they be about it : I le make good cheare , with my Goose here , What s the Goose flowne away without her head . Exeunt . Enter with the crew Tom Miller , Iacke Straw , Wat Tyler , and Hob Carter . Iacke Strawe . Here s a sturre more than needs , What meanes the King thus to abuse vs ? And makes vs runne about his pleasure , and to no end . He promised vs to meete vs on the water , And by Ladie as soone as we came at the water side , Hee faire and flat turnes his Barge and away hee goes to London . I tell thee Wat we will not put vp this abuse . Wat Tyler . By gogs blood Captaine Strawe , wee will remoue our campe , and awaie to London roundlie , And there we le speake with him , or were know whie wee shall not . Iacke Straw . God amarcie Wat and ere we haue done , We will be Lords euerie one . Hob Carter . Gentle Iacke Strawe , in one line let vs drawe , And we le not leaue a man of lawe . Nor a paper worth a hawe , And make him worse than a dawe , That shall stand against Iacke Strawe . Morton . Me thinkes you might doe well to answere the King , In the name of the whole companie : Some dossen or twenty men for the nonce , that may deliuer the minds of you all in few words . Iacke Straw . Sir Iohn Morton you are an Asse , to tell vs what wee haue to doe , Hold your prating you were best . Wat Tyler . I tell thee Sir Iohn thou abusest vs But let s to London as fast as we can . Enter King , ArchBishop , Treasorer , Secretarie , Sir Iohn Newton , and Spencer . My Lords if all our men are come vnto the shore , Let vs returne againe into the Towne These people are not to be talkt withall , Much lesse with reason to be ordered . That so vnorderly with shrikes and cries , Make shew as though they would invade vs all . I haue not heard nor read of any King , So vngently of his people entertaind . Exeunt King and his traine saue Newton & Spencer . Spencer . Sir Iohn what was the cause the King returnd so soone , And with such hast so quickly tooke the shore . Sir Newton . Bargeman the King had reason for the same , warrant thee he was not ill aduisde . Spencer . I thinke he meant to haue commenst some talke with that vnrulie crew . Newton . He ment so indeede Spencer but you heard how it fel out . Spencer . Not well I held my stearne so hard . Newton . T was thus , the King and all his companie , Being rowd with Ores so far as Greenewich Towne , It was a world to see what Troupes of men , Like Bees that swarme about the hony hiue . Gan strew the grauill ground and sandy plaine , That fild the Aire with cries and fearefull noise . And from the water did an eccho rise : That pearst the yeares of our renowmed King , Affrighting so his heart with strong conceit , Of some vnhappy grieuous stratigene ; That trust me with my eares I heard him say , He thought they would haue all like Spaniels , Tane water despretly and borded him . So did they all yfare like franticke men , That time he thought to speed away apace , And take the best aduantage of the place . Spencer . Indeed I could not greatly blame his Maiestie , My selfe was not so scarde this seauen yeare : My thought there was sufficient mouthes inough , At highest tide to haue drawen the Thames drie . Newton . Spencer ere it flow thrice at London bridge , London I feare will heare of worser newes . Exeunt Ambo . Enter Iacke Straw , Wat Tyler , Hob Carter , Tom Miller , Nobs , Morton , and Southwarkemen . Southwarkemen .

Neighbours you that keepe the gates , let the Kings liege people in , or we must bee faine to aide them with bals of wild fire or some other deuise , for they haue spoilde all Southwarke , let out all the prisoners , broke vp the Marshalsea and the Kings bench , and made great hauocke in the Burrowe here ,

Therefore I pray you let them in . Wat Tyler . Porter open the gate , if thou louest thy selfe , or thine own life , open the gate . Tom Miller . You haue a certaine spare Goose came in to bee rosted , Shee is inough by this . Exeunt all but Morton . Morton . What meanes these wretched miscreants , To make a spoile of their owne country men : Vnnaturall Rebels what so ere , By forraine foes may seeme no whit so strange . As Englishmen to trouble England thus Well may I tearme it infest to the Land . Like that fowle lawles force and violence , Which Cyneris did offer to his child . O happie time from all such troubles free , What now alas is like to be the end of this attempt , But that so long as they are glutted all with blood , they bath therein . Exeunt Morton , Enter Nobs with a Flemming .

Sirra here it is set downe by our Captaines that as many of you as cannot say bread and cheese , in good and perfect English , ye die for it , & that was the cause so many strangers did die in Smithfield .

Let me heare you say bread and cheese . Brocke and Keyse . Exeunt both Finis Actus Secundus .

Actus Tertius . Enter King , Lord Maior , Sir Iohn Newton , two Sargants , with Gard and Gentlemen . King . SIr Newton , & Lord Maior , this wrong that I am offered , This open and vnnaturall iniury , A King to be thus hardly handled , Of his owne people and no other foes , But such as haue bin brought vp and bred in his own bosome , Nourished with his tender care , To be thus robbed of Honour and of friends , Thus daunted with continuall frights and feares , Haled on to what mishap I cannot tell : More heard mishap than had of like bin mine , Had I not marked bin to be a King . Lord Maior . It shall become your Grace most Gratious Lord , To beare the minde in this aflicted time , As other Kings and Lords hath done before , Armed with sufferance and magnanimitie , The one to make you resolute for chaunce , The other forward in your resolution : The greatest wrong this rowt hath done your Grace , Amongst a many other wicked parts , Is in frighting your worthie Lady Mother , Making fowle slaughter of your Noble men , Burning vp Bookes and matters of records , Dauncing houses of hostilitie , Saint Iames in Smithfield , the Sauoy and such like , And beating downe like wolues , the better sort , The greatest wrong in my opinion is , That in Honour doth your person touch , I meane they call your Maiestie to Parle , And ouer beare you with a multitude , As if you were a vassall not a King : O wretched mindes of vild and barbarous men , For whom the heauens haue secret wreake in store : But my Lord with reuerence and with pardon too , Why comes your Grace into Smithfield neare the crew , Vnarmd and garded with so small a traine . King . If clemencie may win their raging minds , To ciuill order , I le approue it first . They shall perceaue I come in quiet wise , Accompanied with the Lord Maior here alone , Besides our Gard that doth attend on vs . Maior . May it please your Grace that I shall raise the streets , To Gard your Maiestie through Smithfield as you walke . King . No Lord Maior , t will make them more outragious , And be a meane to shed a world of blood : I more account the blood of Englishmen than so , But this is the place I haue appointed them To heare them speake and haue aduentured , To come among this fowle varulie crew : And loe my Lords , see where the people comes . Enter Iacke Straw , Wat Tyler , Tom Miller , Pars on Ball . and Hob Carter . Iacke Straw . My Masters this is the King , come away , T is hee that we would speake with all . King . Newton , desire that one may speake for all ; To tell the summe of their demaund at full . Newton . My Masters you that are the especiall men , His Maiestie requires you all by me , That one may speake and tell him your demaund , And gentlie here he lets you know by me , He is resolu'd to heare him all at large . King . I good my friends , I pray you hartely , Tell vs your mindes as mildly as you can : And we will answere you so well to all , As you shall not mislike in anything . Iacke Straw . We come to reuenge your Officers ill demeanor , And though we haue kild him for his knauerie , Now we be gotten together , we will haue wealth and libertie Cry all . Wealth and libertie . King . It is inough , beleeue me if you will , For as I am your true succeeding Prince , I sweare by all the Honour of my Crowne , You shall haue liberty and pardon all , As God hath giuen it and your lawfull King . Wat Tyler . Ere we le be pincht with pouertie , To dig our meate and vittels from the ground , That are as worthie of good maintenance , As any Gentleman your Grace doth keepe , We will be Kings and Lords within our selues . And not abide the pride of tyrranie . King . I pray thee fellow what countryman art thou ? Wat Tyler . It skils not much , I am an Englishman . Ball . Marrie Sir he is a Kentishman , and hath bin my scholler ere now . Maior . Little good manner hath the villaine learnd , To vse his Lord and King so barberously . King . Well people aske you any more , Than to be free and haue your libertie . Cry all Wealth and libertie . King . Then take my word I promise it to you all , And eke my generall pardon now forth with , Vnder seale and Letters pattents to performe the same . Let euerie man betake him to his home , And with what speed our Clarks can make dispatch , Your pardons and your Letters pattents , Shall be forth with sent downe in euerie shiere . Hob Carter . Marrie I thanke your Grace , Hob Carter and the Essex men will home againe , and we take your word . King . We beleeue you all , and thanke you all , And presently we will commandement giue , That all this busines may be quickly readie . Exeunt King and his Traine . Iacke Strawe . I tell thee Wat , this is not that that I would haue , I come for more than to be answered thus , And if the Essex men will needes be gone , Content , let them goe sucke their Mams at home , I came for spoile and spoile I le haue . Wat Tyler . Doe what thou wilt Iacke , I will follow thee . Nobs . How and if it be to the Gallowes . Wat Tyler . Why that is the worst . Nobs . And I faith that is sure , but if you will be ruld by me , Trust not to his pardon for you die euerie Mothers sonne . But Captaines , goe forward as we haue be gone . Ball . My Masters the boy speakes wisely , I haue red this in Cato , ad cum silium antiquam voceris . Take good counsell while it is giuen . Iacke Straw . Content boy we will be ruld by thee . Exeunt Omnes . Enter Tom Miller to burne Papers . Nobs . Why how now Captaine Miller , I perceaue you take no care which way the world goes . Tom Miller .

I faith Nobs I haue made a bonfire here of a great many of Bonds and Indentures and Obligations , faith I haue bin amongst the ends of the Court , & among the Records , & al that I saw either in the Guild-Hall or in any other place , I haue set fire on them , but where hast thou bin ?

Nobs .

I haue bin with our Captaines , Straw and Tiler , at Saint Iones in smithfield , but Sirra : I can tell you newes , Captaine Carter is gone home , and all our Essex men , and I feare we shall all be hanged , therefore looke you to your selfe , for I will looke to my selfe .

Exeunt Nobs . Tom Miller . Well if wee shall be hangd it is but a follie to be sorrie , But goe to it with a good stomacke . Rydle me a ridle , what s this , I shall be hangd , I shall not be hangd . Here he tries it with a staffe . Enter Ladie Mother and Gentleman Usher . Queene . What doth that fellow ? Usher . It seemeth Madam , he disputeth with himselfe , Whether he shall be hangd or no . Queene . Alas poore soule , simple inough God wot , And yet not so simple as a great many of his companie . Usher . If it be as we are let to vnderstand , My Lord the King hath giuen them generall pardon . Queene .

So he hath , & they like honest men are gone homwards , or at least the most part of them , but worse in mine opinion is their haps that tarrie longest .

Tom Miller .

But peace here is the Kings Mother , she can do much with the King , I le treat her to beg my pardon of the King wiselie , I le goe to her , humblie vnto your worships , a pore Captaine Thomas Miller , requesting your fauorable bequest , touching the permission of destray , towards the said Captaine Miller , which in blunt and flat tearmes is nominated , Sursum cordum , alis dictus hangum meum , from which place of torment God vs all deliuer , and graunt vs to be mercifull while wee liue here together : Now Sir , vnderstanding your worship is the Kings Mother , lamentably in the behalfe before spoken , to stand betweene mee and the Gallowes or to beg my pardon , in which you shall not onely saue a proper hansome tall fellow and a stout Captaine , but also you shall purchase the prayers of all the ale wiues in the towne , for sauing a mault-worme and a customer to helpe away their strong ale .

Queene . What meanes the fellow by all this eloquence ? Usher . It seemes he feares he shall be hangd , And therefore craues your Graces fauour in his behalfe . Queene . Alas poore fellow , he seemeth to be a starke nidiot . Good fellow if thou wilt goe beg thy pardon of the King , I will speake for thee . Tom Miller . Will you in faith , and I will giue you a tawdrie lace . Usher . Madam here comes an vnrulie crew let s be gone . Exeunt Queene Mother & Usher . Enter Iacke Strawe , Wat Tyler , Parson Ball , Nobs , Tom Miller being there . Iacke Straw . The King & his Nobles thinke they may sleepe in quiet , Now they haue giuen vs a little holy water at the Court , But ther s no such matter , we be no such fooles To be bobd out with words and after come to hanging : Wat doe the thing thou comst for , If thou wilt be ruld by me , we le not leaue it so . Wat Tyler . Ran tara haue at all my boyes . Tom Miller . Saiest thou so my hart , then farewell my pardon : For I le doe as yee doe , hang together for companie . Ball . Neighbours and friends neuer yeeld , But fight it lustilie in the field : For God will giue you strength and might , And put your enemies to flight : To stand against them day and night , For of mine honestie your quarrels right . Tom Miller . O Parson Ball , before you all , If all fall out not well , by following thy counsell , And that by listning to thy talke , To the Gallowes we doe walke : Parson Ball I will tell thee . And sweare it of mine honestie , Thou shalt be hangd as well as we . Iacke Straw . Peace here comes the King I trow . Enter the King , Maior , and Newton bearing a sword . King . What companie be those Newton we doe see ? Be them of those that promised vs to part ? Newton . Euen part of those my good and Gratious Lord , That promised your highnes to depart . King . Why then I see they stand not to their words , And sure they should not breake it so with me , That haue so carefully remembred them : This is a part of great ingratitude . Maior . And it like your Maiestie the Essex men , With far more better mindes haue parted companie , And euerie man be tane him to his home . The chiefest of these Rebels be of Kent , Of base degree and worse conditions all , And vowd as I am giuen to vnderstand , To nothing but to hauocke and to spoile . King . Lord Maior , if it be so I wot , It is a dangerous and vnnaturall resolution . I pray thee Newton goe and speake with them , Aske them what more it is that they require . Newton . My Masters , you that be the chiefest of the rout , The King intreats you kindly here by me , To come and speake with him a word or two . Iacke Straw . Sirra , if the King would any thinge with vs , Tell him the way is indifferent to meete vs . Newton . You are too many to be talkt with all , Besides you owe a dutie to your Prince . Iacke Straw . Sirra , giue me the sword thou wearest there , Becomes it thee to be armd in my presence . Newton . Sir I weare my weapon for mine owne defence , And by your leaue will weare it yet a while . Iacke Strawe . What wilt thou villaine , giue me it I say . King . Newton giue it him if that be all the matter , Here take it and much good doe it thee . The King giues him the sword . Iacke Strawe . Villaine I say , giue me the sword thou bearest vp , For that s the thing I tell thee I affect . Newton . This sword belongs vnto my Lord the King , T is none of mine , nor shalt thou haue the same : Proud Rebel wert but thou and I alone , Thou durst not aske it thus boldly , at my hands , For all the wealth this Smithfield doth containe . Iacke Strawe . By him that dide for me , I wil not dine , Till I haue seene thee hangd or made away . King . Alas Lord Maior , Newton is in great danger , And force cannot preuaile amongst the rowt . Maior . Old Rome I can remember I haue read , When thou didst flourish for vertue , and for armes , What magnanimitie did abide in thee : Then Walworth as it may become thee well , Deserue some honour at thy Princes hand , And beautifie this dignitie of thine , With some or other Act of consequence : Villaine I say whence comes this rage of thine , How darest thou a dungell bastard borne , To braue thy Soueraigne and his Nobles thus . Villaine I doe arrest thee in my Princes name , Proud Rebel as thou art take that withall ; Here he stabs him . Learne thou and all posteritie after thee , What t is a seruile slaue , to braue a King . Pardon my Gratious Lord for this my fact , Is seruice done to God , and to your selfe . King . Lord Maior for thy valiant Act in this , And Noble courage in the Kings behalfe , Thou shalt perceaue vs not to be vngratefull . Cry all , Our Captaine is slaine , our Captaine is slaine . King . Feare you not people for I am your King , And I will be your Captaine and your friend . Newton . Pleaseth your Grace for to with drawe your selfe . These Rebls then will soone be put to foile . Exeunt all but the Maior and two Sargants . Maior . Souldiers take hart to you and follow me , It is our God that giues the victorie : Drag this accursed villain through the streets . To strike a terrour to the Rebels hearts , London wil giue you power and armes , And God will strengthen you and daunt your foes : Fill Smithfield full of noise and ioyfull cries , And say alowd God saue our Noble Prince . Finis Actus Tertius .

Actus Quartus . Enter King , Lord Maior , Morton , Newton , and Noble men . King . LOrd Maior and well beloued friends , Whose readines in aide of vs and ours , Hath giuen iust tryall of your loyaltie , And loue you beare to vs and to our land : Sith by the helpe and mighty hand of God , These fowle vnnaturall broyles are quieted , And this vnhappie tumult well appeasd : Hauing as law and dutie binds vs too , Giuen both dew praise and sacrifice of thankes , Vnto our God from whome this goodnes comes : Let me now to your counsell recommend , And to your sad opinions generally , The end of all these great and high affaires , This mighty busines that we haue in hand And that I may in briefe vnfold my minde , My Lords I would not yet , but mercy should , Against the law in this hard case preuaile : And as I gaue my word vnto you all , That if they then had left their mutiny , Or rather had let fall their wrongfull Armes , Their pardon then should haue bin generall , So will I not ; yet God forbid I should , ( Though law I know exact it at my hands ) Behold so many of my country men , All done to death and strangled in one day , The end is this , that of that carelesse rout , That hath so far vnnaturallie rebeld , The chiefe offenders may be punished : And thus you know my minde , and so my Lords proceed , I pray you and no otherwise . Newton . Sith mercie in a Prince resembleth right , The gladsome sunne-shine in a winters day , Pleaseth your Grace to pardon me to speake : When all the hope of life and breathing heere , Be tane from all this rowt in generall , If then at instant of the dying howre , Your Graces Honorable pardon come , To men halfe dead , kild wholie in conceit , Then thinke I , it will be more Gratious , Than if it offered were so hastely : When thrid of life is almost fret in twaine , To giue it strength breeds thankes , and wonders too . Maior . So many as are tane within the Cittie , Are fast in hold to know your Graces will , King . There is but one or two in al the rowt , Whom we would haue to die for this offence , Especially that by name are noted men : One is a naughtie and seditious Priest , They call him Ball , as we are let to know , A person more notorious than the rest , But this I doe referre to your dispose . Newton . Pleaseth your Grace they haue bin rid apace , Such speciall men as we could possibly finde , And many of the common rowt among : And yet suruiues this Ball that cursed Priest , And one Wat Tiler , leader of the rest : Whose villanies and outragious cruelties , Haue bin so barbourously executed : The one with mallice of his traiterous taunts , The other with the violence of his hands , That gentle ruth nor mercie hath no eares , To heare them speake , much lesse to pardon them . King . It is inough , I vnderstand your mindes , And well I wot in causes such as these , Kings may be found too full of clemencie : But who are those that enter in this place . Newton . Pleaseth it your Grace , these be the men , Whom Law hath worthily condemnd to die , Going to the place of execution : The formost is that Ball , and next to him , Wat Tyler , obstinate Rebls both , For all the rest are of a better mould , Whose minds are softer than the formost twaine : For being common souldiers in the campe , Were rather led with counsell of the rest , Deseruing better to be pittied . King . Morton to those condemned men wee see , Deliuer this a Pardon to them all : Excepting namelie those two formost men . I meane the Priest and him they call Wat Tyler . To all the rest free Pardon we doe send , And giue the same to vnderstand from vs .

The Kings Pardon deliuered by Sir Iohn Morton to the Rebels .

MY friends and vnhappie Countrymen , whom the lawes of England , haue worthilie condemned vnto death for your open and vnnaturall Rebellion against your lawfull Soueraigne and annointed Prince . I am sent vnto you from the Kinges most excellent Maiestie to giue you to vnderstand , that notwithstanding this violence which you haue offered to your selues , in running furiously into the daunger of the law , as mad and franticke men vpon an edged sword : yet notwithstanding I say , that you haue gathered rods to scourge your own selues , following desperatlie your lewd and misgouerned heads , which haue haled you on to this wretched and shamefull end which is now imminent ouer you all , that must in strangling cords die like dogs , and finish your liues in this miserable reprochful sort , because you would not liue like men : But far vnlike your selues vnlike Englishmen , degenerate from your naturall obedience , & nature of your country , that by kinde bringeth forth none such , or at least brooketh none such , but spits then out for bastards and recreants : notwithstanding I say , ( this torment wherein you nowe liue looking euerie houre to suffer such a shamefull and most detestable death , as doth commonly , belonge to such horrible offenders ) yet it hath pleased the King of his accustomed goodnes to giue you your liues , and freelie to forgiue you your faults sending by mee generall Pardon to you all , excepting one onely accursed and seditious Priest , that so far swarued from the truth , and his alleageance to his Prince , and one Wat Tiler , whose outrage hath bin noted so outragious in al his actions as for ensample to all Englishmen hereafter , his Maiestie hath thought good to account him & this Parson , ( first sturrers in this tumult , and vnnaturall rebelling ) the greatest offenders that now liue to grieue his Maiestie : and thus I haue deliuered the message of the King , which is in effect , generall pardon to you all , and a sentence of death vnto the two Archrebels , Iohn Ball , and Wat Tyler : For which great Grace , if you thinke your selues any thinge bound to his highnes ( as infinitely you are ) let it appeare as farre forth hereafter as you may , either by outward signes of dutie , or inward loyaltie of harts expressed , and to begin the same , in signe of your thankefulnes , say all God saue the King .

Cry all , God saue the King . Wat Tyler . Well then we know the worst , He can but hang vs , and that is all , Were Iacke Strawe a liue againe , And I in as good possibility as euer I was , I would lay a surer trumpe , Ere I would lose so faire a tricke . Ball . And what I said in time of our busines I repent not , And if it were to speake againe , Euerie word should be a whole sermon , So much I repent me . Morton . Awaie with the Rebels suffer them not to speake , His words are poyson in the eares of the people , Away villaine , staine to thy country and thy calling . Wat Tyler . Why Morton are you so lustie with a pox , I puld you out of Rochester Castell by the powle . Morton . And in recompence I will help to set your head on a pole . Wat Tiler . Pray you let s be powlde first . Morton . Away with the Rebels . Exeunt Rebels . As gaue your Grace in charge I haue deliuered , Your highnes pleasure amongst the prisoners , And haue proclaimed your Graces pardon amongst them all Saue onely those two vnnaturall Englishmen , O might I say no English nor men , That Ball and Tyler cursed Rebels both , Whom I commaunded to be executed : And in your highnes name haue freed all the rest , Whose thankefull harts I finde as full repleat , With signes of ioy and dutie to your Grace , As those vnnaturall Rebels hatefull mouthes Are full of foule speaches , and vnhonourable . King . It is no matter Morton let them barke , I trow they cannot bite when they be dead . And Lord Maior for your valiant act , And daungerous attempt in our behalfe , To free your country and your King from ill : In our behalfe and in our common weale , We will accept it as the deed deserues , And thanke you for this honourable attempt . Maior . What subiects harts could brooke the rage of theirs , To vaunt in presence of their Soueraigne Lord , To braue him to his face before his Pieres , But would by pollicie or force attempt , To quell the raging of such furious foes ? My Soueraigne Lord , t was but my dutie done , First vnto God , next to my lawfull King , Proceeding from a true and loyall hart , And so I hope your Grace esteemes thereof . King . To the end this deede shall rest in memorie , Which shall continue for euer to the end : Lord Maior I le adioyne to thy degree , Another Title of a lasting fame . Kneele downe William Walworth and receaue , By mine owne hand the order of Knighthood : Stand vp Sir William first Knight of thy degree , But hence forth all which shall succeed thy place , Shall haue like honour for thy Noble deede . Besides that Time , shall nere abridge thy fame , The Cittie armes shall beare for memorie , The bloody dagger the more for Walworths honour : Call forth your Harrold and receaue your due . Maior . My Gratious Lord this honourable Grace So far aboue desert , sith what I did My dutie and alleagaunce bad me doe , Binds me and my successors euermore , With sweet incouragement to the like attempt . Your Maiestie and all , our Royall Pieres , Shall finde your London such a store house still , As not alone you vmb commaund our wealth , But loyal harts the treasure of a Prince , Shall growe like graines sowne in a fertile soyle , And God I praise that with his holy hand Hath giuen me hart to free my Prince and land . King . Then sith these daungerous broiles are ouer past , With shedding of so little English blood . T is for the fame and honour of a Prince , Well to reward the Actors of the same , So many of thy bretheren as accompanied thee , In Smithfield heere about this bold attempt , When time shall serue I le Knight them as thou art And so Lord Maior , Newton , Morton and the rest , Accompany vs to gard vs to the Tower , Where we le repose and rest our selues all night . FINIS .

❧ Printed at London by Iohn Danter , and are to be sold by William Barley , at his shop in Gratious street ouer against Leaden-Hall . 1594 .

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