(1874) merry england: or nobles and serfs (volume 2)

8/9/2019 (1874) Merry England: Or Nobles and Serfs (Volume 2)

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LI B RARYOF THLUNIVERSITYor ILLINOISA'\Tr>CT


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p .

MEKKY ENGLAND,


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MERRY E^aLAl^D:NOBLES AND SEEPS.

BY

WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH,AUTHOR OP"the tower of LONDON," " BOSOOBEL," ETC.

" In order that gentlemen and others may take example and correct wickedrebels, I will most amply detail how this business was conducted."

Fboissabt.

11^ THREE VOLUMES.VOL. II.

LONDON:TINSLEY BROTIIEES, 8, CATHEEINE STREET, STEAKD.

1874.[^Siffht of Tranihition reserved ly the Author.']


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tONDOX:SAVILL, BDWAEDS AND CO., PBINTEE3, CHANDOS STEBET^

COVKNI GABDElf.


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2SCDSi


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VI CONTENTS.

PAGEIX, THE BARON DE VERTAIN AXD SIR JOHNPHILPOT PROPOSE TO ATTACK THE REBELS 107

X. THE LIEUTENANT OF THE TOTVER . . . .115XI. SIR EUSTACE DE VALLETORT MAKES A DIS-

CLOSURE TO EDITHA 124XII. HOW SIR JOHN HOLLAND RETURNED FROM

THE EXPEDITION 13GXIII. SIR JOHN Holland's narrative .... 145XIV. CONRAD basset DEMANDS THAT SIR JOHN

HOLLAND SHALL BE DELIVERED UP . .152XV. THE SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGE 160

XVI. HOW THE PRINCESS ARRIVED AT THE TOWER 173XVII. HOW SIR SIMON BURLEY, THE BARON DEGOJIMEGINES, AND THE LORD MAYOR SET

OUT TO SUCCOUR THE BESIEGED ATELTHAM PALACE

XVIII. WHAT BEFEL SIR OSBERT MONTACUTE ON HISRETURN THROUGH THE SUBTERRANEANPASSAGE 192

XIX. HOW ELTHAM PALACE WAS VALIANTLYDEFENDED BY SIR JOHN PHILPOT . . . 200XX. HOW THE PALACE WAS DELIVEPJDD . . .211

BOOK III.BLACKHEATH.

I. THE SIEGE OF ROCHESTER CASTLE . . .221II. WAT TYLER REVISITS DARTFORD .... 231

III. THE hermit's WARNING 241IV. the outlaw ACCEPTS THE COMMAND OF THE

ESSEX BATTALION 247'


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BOOK I. continued.

THE IJ^SUREECTION.

TOL. II.


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MEKEY ENGLAND;OK,NOBLES AND SERFS.

XXXV.HOW SAINT THOMAS S SHRINE WAS DEFENDED

BY FRIAR NOSROCK.JHTLE most of the household con-

cealed themselves in the crypts ofthe cathedral, Sir John Holland

and the young nobles, by the advice of theunfortunate seneschal, proceeded to TrinityChapel, where they found Friar Nosrock,who took them to the watching-chamber.

There they remained during the rest ofthe day, fully expecting that the rebels

12


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MERRY ENGLAND.

would come in quest of them ; but, to theirsurprise, they were undisturbed. As jet,they were ignorant of Siward's fate.When night came on, they resolved to quit

their asylum, though Friar Nosrock repre-sented to them that they would run thegreatest risk in venturing forth into the city.

" Should you fall into the hands of therebels, you will certainly be put to death,"he said ; " and you will find it almost im-possible to leave the city, since the gates areguarded, and all other outlets stopped. TheAbbot of St. Vincent will give you anasylum, if he can, and so will the Prior ofSt. Augustine's ; but should you be drivento extremity, and compelled to returnhither, come back in the guise of pilgrims.I myself will be on the watch, and will takecare you shall be admitted by the southporch."

He then led them out by a postern^ and


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THE INSURRECTION.

returned to Trinity Cliapel, where lie foundthe Archbishop's household assembled. Asthese persons had been all this time in thecrypts, they had not heard what had befallenSiward; but they augured ill since he hadnot reappeared.

After some consultation, it was decidedthat half a dozen of the men should remainwith Friar Nosrock to keep watch throughoutthe night; the rest, including the femaleservants, quitted the cathedral by thepostern.We have already stated that certain of

the Dartford insurgents had secured thelarge dormitory at the " Chequers," andhad, moreover, ordered a good supper to beprovided for a hundred persons.At the appointed hour a plentiful repast

was set before these unwelcome guests, andwhile they were discussing it, it occurred toMark Cleaver, Liripipe, and some others,


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6 MERRY ENGLAND.

that tliey might contrive to possess them-selves of the treasures of Becket's shrine.Communicated in an undertone to the

whole party, the plan met with generalapproval, and it was resolved that theattempt should be made that very night.Should it succeed, they would all be en-riched. But it would be necessary to enterthe cathedral by stratagem, since WatTyler had prohibited any attempt to breakinto it by force for purposes of plunder, onpain of death.

After some deliberation, they resolved toseek admittance as pilgrims, the notionbeing suggested to them by the fact thatthere were a great number of devoteesstaying at the " Chequers," who desired tooffer prayers at the shrine at night.

Accordingly, having arrayed themselvesas they best could, in imitation of these

pilgrims, the whole party, having previously


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THE INSURRECTION.

assembled in the courtyard of tlie inn, setout without noise, and on reaching thesouth porch of the cathedral, knockedagainst the great door.Now it chanced that Friar Nosrock, who

fully expected the return of Sir JohnHolland and the young nobles, was waitingnear the door at the time, and when heheard that those who knocked were pilgrims,he imprudently opened the wicket.Very few had entered before he discovered

his mistake, but it was then too late.Breaking from the foremost, who tried

to seize him, he ran as swiftly as he couldalong the aisle, and through the south tran-sept of St. Thomas's Chapel, where he sud-denly disappeared from his pursuers, whowere close at his heels.

In another minute, all the plunderers,with the exception of two or three, who hadbeen left at the south porcli to keep watch.


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MERRY ENGLAND.

arrived at the foot of the steps leading tothe shrine.A lamp burning above the altar dimly

illumined the chapel, but afforded sufficientlight for their sacrilegious purpose.

Several clambered over the gilt rails sur-rounding the sacred spot, and proceeded tolift up the heavy wooden canopy coveringthe shrine.

While thus employed, they were suddenlyinterrupted in their task by an occurrencethat seemed as if Saint Thomas himself hadinterfered to prevent the threatened desecra-tion of his shrine.A fierce growling was heard, and then

came the fearful rush of a number of savagehounds towards those collected on the steps.

Terrible outcries followed from those whoimagined they were attacked by demons inshape of dogs, and now fled, yelling, in everydirection.


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THE INSURRECTION. 9

These suffered severely from the sharpfangs of their pursuers, but those nearthe shrine fared the worst.Caught as in a trap by their ferocious

assailants, who leaped over the rails andsprang at their throats, bearing them to theground, they had to fight for their lives,and the vaulted roof of the chapel rang withtheir cries.A witness of this frightful scene. Friar

Nosrock felt little compassion for the mise-rable wretches.On the contrary, he called out to them, in

a mockinc: voice" Soh ! you would plunder the shrine of

holy St. Thomas, eh ? You thought it aneasy task, doubtlessbut you now find wecan prevent your villany !"

" Save us !" cried Mark Cleaver, who waslying prostrate on the pavement, with aihuge hound standing over him. " Save us 1


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10 MERRY ENGLAND.

or we shall be torn in pieces by these in-fernal houndsif indeed they be hounds,and not fiends !"

" Have pity upon us, good brother, andcall them off!" implored Liripipe, who hadshrunk into a corner, and was endeavouringto keep one of his fierce assailants at bay." Let us out of this cage, and we will de-part at once !""You deserve the worst punishment that

can befall you !" cried Friar Nosrock." Holy St. Thomas, have mercy upon

us !" cried Curthose, who was in as soredistress as the others. " We heartily re-pent what we have done ! Instead of rob-bing the shrine, we will add to its riches."

" Have mercy upon us, holy St. Thomas !"cried all the sufferers.

"Since you call upon the good saint for aid,it will not be refused you," said the friar,somewhat relenting.


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THE INSURRECTION. 11

And as he spoke, he opened a gate in therails, and called off the hounds.

" Depart instantly !" he said. " If anyof you be found in the cathedral five minuteshence, no further pity shall be shown you !"

Glad to escape on such terms, the villainscame forth ; and though they were all in amost deplorable condition, they contrived ina short time to reach the south porch.

Friar Nosrock was close at their heelswith his hounds, and carefully barred thedoor as the last of them went out.

Shortly afterwards, the friar was joinedby such of the Archbishop's household ashad remained in the cathedral.

Assisted by them, and attended by hishounds, he made a strict investigation oftheaisles, the nave, the transepts, and the choir.No one was found.Nevertheless, watch was kept by the party

throughout the night.


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XXXVI.CONRAD BASSET AND CATHERINE DE COURCY.

^^HAT niglit, Canterbury was com-''''^ pletely in the power of the insur-

gents.The six gates were strictly guarded, so

that no one could leave the city, or enter it,without permission from the rebel leaders.

Every precaution was taken to prevent theescape of Sir John Holland and the youngnobles, and Wat Tyler persuaded himself heshould have them in his hands on themorrow ; in which case he had fully resolvedto put Sir John to death.But he was baulked in his vindictive

design. After quitting the cathedral, SirJohn and his companions had repaired to the


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Monastery of St. Augustine ; where theywere well received by the Abbot, and care-fully concealed by him. Though strictsearch was made for them, their retreat wasnot discovered.The three insurgent leaders fixed their

quarters in the Palace, and remained thereduring their stay in the city.

Their time was chiefly spent in the greathall, where they held a sort of Court.

Ordering the Mayor and aldermen toappear before them, they compelled them,on pain of death, to take the oath of fidelityto the league.

Since their arrival at Canterbury, the forceunder the command of the rebel leaders hadenormously increased, and it now seemedcertain that five hundred of the citizenswould march with them to London.

Under these circumstances, it becamenecessary to appoint officers ; and tlie


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14 MERRY ENGLAND.

appointments were made by Wat Tyler andthe Outlaw, who selected those whom theythought could be best depended upon.A fierce wild set they were, most of them

belonging to the lowest orders of the people.Among the few of a higher class, wasConrad Basset, the brewer's son.

This young man had recommended him-self to the rebel leaders by a hatred of thenobles, almost equalling their own inintensity.

This animosity, however, did not arisefrom sympathy with the oppressed peasantry,but from the ignominious manner in whichhe had been treated by Sir Lionel de Courcy,of whose beautiful daughter, Catherine, hehad become passionately enamoured.

Conrad Basset, who was handsomer thanmany of the high-born youths she had seen,had attracted the fair Catherine de Courcy'sattention ; and after a few words had been


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THE INSURRECTION. IS'

exchanged between tliem at the cathedraland elsewhere, they met one night in thegarden of her father's mansion in Canter-bury.

This secret interview was their first andlast. They were surprised by Sir Lionel,who came suddenly upon them with a partyof servants, and having sent Catherine intothe house, turned to her lover, who hadbeen seized by a couple of servants, and afterapplying to him every scornful epithet thatfury could suggest, he said"Thy father, Eichard Basset, was my

vassal; and when I set him free, I littlethought his son would have the presumptionto address my daughter in language of love.But I will punish thee as I would a dis-obedient serf."With tliis he took a staff from one of his

valets, and struck the young man severalhard blows with it, calling out


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16 MERRY ENGLAND.

" This will teach thee, thou low-bornknave, to aspire to the daughter of anoble !"Held fast by two powerful men, Conrad

could offer no resistance to this usage, andhe was cast out at the gate.From that moment he thought only of

revenge.He still loved Catherine de Courcy pas-

sionately as ever, but he could not forgiveher father for the degrading outrage he hadinflicted upon him.

Nay, more ; his vindictive feeling towardsthe one proud noble who had injured himextended to all his class, and when he heardof the insurrectionary league of the peasants,the object of which was to exterminate theirlordly oppressors, he immediately joined it.At length a full revenge seemed in his

grasp.When the insurgents entered Canter-


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bury, Sir Lionel de Courcyunfortunatelyfor himselfclianced to be at home. Butas he resided in a large and strongly-builtmansion, and had a great number of armedretainers, he did not deem himself in danger.

But Conrad had determined to attack hishouse, and make him prisoner, and men-tioned his design to the two rebel leaders,who approved of it.

It was fixed that the assault should takeplace on the morrow, and some preparationswere made for it, under Conrad's personaldirection.

That night two damsels, whose featureswere concealed by their hoods, sought aprivate interview with the young rebelcaptain.

It was granted ; and when the damselshad removed their disguise, one of themproved to be Catherine de Courcy, and tlieother her handmaiden, Gertrude.

VOL. II. 2


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IS MERRY ENGLAND.

Catherine had never appeared so beautifulbefore, and Conrad's passion revived as hegazed at her.

" You must have expected me here to-night, Conrad," she said; "and you willguess that my errand is to beg my father'slife. I know that if he should fall intoyour hands you will slay him "

" Your father can expect no mercy fromme," interrupted Conrad, fiercely.

" I will not believe you can be so cruel,Conrad," she rejoined. " If you kill myfather, you will kill me."

" He has dishonoured me. Nothing buthis blood can wash out the disgrace. SirLionel has made me what I am ; and allthe crimes I may commit will lie at hisdoor."

" Oh, Conrad !" she exclaimed ; " it is nottoo late to turn back. You are not meantto be the associate of rebels ; vour nature


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THE IXSrURECTION. 19

is loyal and true. Eeturn to your alle-giance to tlie King, and all will yet bewell."

" I have joined this league, and ambound by oath to be faithful to it," hereplied.

" You can easily be absolved from suchan oath," she said. " Save my father, andI will answer for his gratitude.""As well might you seek to wrest his

prey from the tiger, as ask me to part withmine !" cried Conrad.

" Then farewell for ever !" she said.*' You will rue your conduct when you seeme stretched lifeless at your feet!"A brief pause ensued, during which it

was evident that a great struggle was goingon in Conrad's breast.

In the hope of a change in his determina-tion, Catherine stayed.

" You have conquered," he said at length,


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20 MERRY ENGLAND.

" For your sake, Catherine, L will spare yourfather.""Now I recognise you as a Conrad I

loved !" she cried, springing towards him."You will fly with us?" she added, gazinganxiously into his face ; " you will abandonthese dreadful rebels ?"

" I cannot," he rejoined, firmly. " Noteven you, Catherine, can induce me to breakmy plighted word."

She forbore to urge him further, and theyparted.

Next morning Sir Lionel de Courcy'smansion, which was situated on the easternside of the city, between the priories of St.John and St. Gregory, was attacked by alarge body of the insurgents^ and sj)eedilytaken, since no defence was made.

Sir Lionel, his daughter, and his entirehousehold were gone.

Their flight had been secretly aided byConrad and his followers.


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The insurgents were greatly disappointed,for they meant to behead the knight ; butthey consoled themselves by plundering hismansion.


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XXXVII.FRIDESWIDE.

HE insurgents' last day in Canter-bury was spent in feasting andcarousing, and in plundering the

Abbey of St. Vincent, and two or threesmaller religious houses; but no furtherattempt was made upon the treasures of thecathedral.The leaders continued to occupy the

Archbishop's palace, where they held theircouncils and issued their decrees.By this time such numbers had flocked

to their standard that the city was quite full,and the monasteries and religious houseswere invaded.

Five hundred citizens of Canterbury had


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enrolled themselves in tlie revolutionaryarmy, and signified tlieir intention of accom-panying them in their march to London.To the command of this division, which

was far better accoutred than the others,Conrad Basset was appointed.When the grand muster of the army was

made before Wat Tyler and the Outlaw, ayoung woman, of gigantic size, and stronglyproportioned, presented herself, and desiredto accompany the host.The two leaders regarded her with wonder.

Though her frame was large, it was well-proportioned, and her features, though mas-culine, were not coarse in expression ; norcould she be termed ill-looking.

She gave her name as Frideswide, and de-scribed herself as the daughter of MauriceBalsam, the miller of Fordwich.

In age, Frideswide was not more thanthree-and-twenty.


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24 MERRY ENGLAND.

Though the two rebel leaders had resolvedto allow no woman to accompany the host,they were so much struck by this Amazon'sappearance that they felt inclined to makean exception in her favour.

While they were conferring together,Frideswide said, "I do not care to boast,but there is no man in Kent, be he whomhe may, who can draw a stronger bow thanI can, or lift heavier weight. Give me aquarter-staff, and you shall see what I cando!"

And, her request being complied with,she added, "Now let any man strike me, ifhe can !"On this there was a general laugh among

the assemblage, but no one accepted thechallenge.

However, when she told them they wereafraid of her, a sturdy fellow stepped for-ward, brandishing a staff, and bade her lookto herself.


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Whether he was in jest or earnest mattersnot, but he quickly got a hard crack onthe pate that stretched him on the ground,amid the laughter and cheers of thebeholders."Now let another come on!" exclaimed

Prideswide ; " I am ready for twenty more !"But no one ventured to attack her.After this proof of her strength and

skill, the insurgent leaders decided thatFrideswide should be allowed to accompanythe army, and she was placed with theCanterbury men, under the command ofOonrad Basset.


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XXXVIII.THE DEPARTURE OF THE REBELS FROM

CANTERBURY.

HEN the host issued forth fromtlie west gate it really presentedan extraordinary spectacle, and

such as had never before been witnessed inEngland.

Eive hundred citizens of Canterbury, aswe have already stated, had volunteered toaccompany the march to London ; but stillthe majority of the- host was composed ofpeasantry supplied by the different Kentishvillages.Armed for the most part with pikes,

scythes, and flails, and wearing their ordi-


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THE INSUIIUECTION. 27

nary habiliments, they presented a shigu-larly wild appearance.An attempt was made to keep them

together, and compel them to march in com-panies, but this was found impracticable.The citizens of Canterbury were far better

armed and accoutred, and carried a bannerand pennons.

Trumpets were sounded, and drumsbeaten, as the leaders rode forth from thewest gate, followed by this strange anddisorderly host ; and so vast were the num-bers, that much delay occurred before allcame forth.The leaders, however, would not proceed

on the march till the entire force was col-lected on the plain outside the city.When all the stragglers had come up,

John Ball took his mule to the top of amound, and from his elevated positionpreached a sermon to the vast assemblage.


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taking for liis text this couplet of his owncomposition :

" When Adam delved and Eve span,Who was then the gentleman P"" Who, indeed ?" he demanded in a loud,

mocking voice. "Not the father of thehuman race. I tell you, my brethren," hecontinued, increasing in fervour as he wenton, " that by nature all men were bornequal, and that there ought to be no ranks,no distinctions. By nature all men arefree, and bondage and servitude, whichwere never designed by heaven, but havebeen invented by our wicked oppressors,ought to be abolished. Heaven has, at last,given you the means of recovering yourliberty, and of regaining your rightful placein the social scale, and if you neglect it, theblame will rest with yourselves. Strike theblow now, and you will all be free, allequally rich, all equally noble, and all bepossessed of equal authority !"


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THE INSURRECTION. 29'

At this juncture the whole scene pre-sented a very singular and striking pic-ture.

Stationed on the top of tlie mound whichrose from the flat plain was the friar, seatedon his mule, with his cowl thrown back onhis shoulders, and his features inflamed byexcitement.

Immediately beneath him were the twoinsurgent leaders, with Conrad Basset,Hothbrand, and several others, all onhorseback.Not far from them stood Frideswide,

accoutred in breast-plate and casque, andbearing a two-handed sword on her broadshoulders.Near the Amazon, and completely dwarfed

by her, were Liripipe, Grouthead, Curthose,and the rest of the Dartford men.Round and about stood the vast, dis-

orderly host, with their wild, fierce visages


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30 MERRY ENGLAND.

Those nearest him listened to his discourse,but those at a distance shouted loudly.The background of the picture was

formed by the walls of the ancient city andthe lofty spire of the majestic cathedral.When the friar descended from the mound,

Wat Tyler rode up to his place, and drawinghis sword, cried out, in a voice that washeard by all, " To Eochester Castle !"A tremendous shout answered him, and

immediately afterwards the whole host setoff.

During their march to Eochester, whichoccupied the whole of the day, they con-ducted themselves as if they were in anenemy's country, plundering several largemansions, and two or three convents, andslaying all who resisted them.Nor did their leaders attempt to check

ferocity and licence.Of course the hamlets, consisting only of


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cottages of the peasantry, were respected,but all larger habitations were pillaged.

Thus, like a swarm of locusts, did the in-surgents sweep on, devouring all before them,and spreading terror and confusion through-out the country.

They did not enter Faversham, but passedthrough Chartham and Chilham, and alongthe foot of the hills, and somewhat late inthe evening reached Eochester, where theywere warmly welcomed by the inhabitants.

Sir John de Newtoun, constable of thecastle, was at once summoned to surrender,but as he hanged the messenger sent tohim, preparations were made for the assaulton the morrow.

END OF BOOK THE FIRST.


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BOOK II.THE YOUIS'G KING.


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KDITHA IS APPOINTED ONE OF THE PRINCESS SATTENDANTS.

FTEE, her encounter with theinsurgents outside the walls ofCanterbury, the Princess of Wales

continued hei' journey with the utmost ex-pedition, and made no halt till she reachedDartford.On arriving there, she alighted at St.

Edmond's chantr}-, and, entering the littlefane without any of her attendants, kneltdown at the altar, and offered up heartfeltthanks for her deliverance from the rebels,concluding with an earnest prayer that theirevil design miglit be defeated.As she subsequently rode through the


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36 MERRY ENGLAND.

village, on lier way to tlie priory, where sheintended to pass an hour with Lady Isabel,the few inhabitants left behind treated herwith the utmost respect. Her ladies onlyaccompanied her to the nunnery ; all hermale attendants, including Chaucer andMesser Benedetto, were sent to the hostel.The Prioress was greatly rejoiced to see

her, and heartily congratulated her on herescape. After partaking of some refresh-ment, the Princess had a private interviewwith the Lady Isabel in the locutory. Herfirst inquiries were concerning Editha, andshe was not surprised to hear that theyoung damsel had sought an asylum in thepriory."When I offered, on a former occasion, to

take her into my household," she said, " youseemed opposed to the plan. Are you stillof the same opinion ?"

" No," replied the Prioress. " Were your


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THE YOUNG KING. 37

Highness to renew your gracious proposal, Iwould gladly accept it."

" I think you judge wisely," said thePrincess, " With me she will he out ofthis daring rebel's power, should he attemptto regain possession of her. Since youagree to my proposal, I will take her withme now."

" It will be hard to part with her," sighedthe Prioress ; " but I will not allow myfeelings to influence me. She shall go withyou."

So saying, she struck the bell, and thesummons was instantly answered by SisterEudoxia.

" Did Editha come hither?" she said.When the young damsel appeared, and

had made an obeisance to the Princess, whoreceived her as graciously as before, she toldher what had been arranged.

" Must I then leave you, holy mother ?"


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38 MERRY ENGLAND.

cried Editha, unable to repress her tears." Think me not ungrateful, gracious madam,if I seem loth to go," she added, to thePrincess, " but I have been so happy here.I have never desired to stray beyond thesewalls ; and now, less than ever."

" 'Tis best you should go, child," said theLady Isabel, controlling her emotion. " Inthe troublous times that are likely to occur,you will be safer with the Princess thanwith me. I gladly, therefore, commit youto her care."

" But may I not return to you again ?"cried Editha.

" Certainly," said the Princess. " I shallnot detain you against your inclinations."

" When you are accustomed to Court life,child," said the Prioress, gravely, yet kindly," you will not desire to return to me."To prevent further remonstrance, she

added, quickly


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THE YOUNG KING. 31)

"But time presses. You must preparefor your journey."

" An instant !" cried Editlia. Then, ad-dressing the Princess, she said, " Perchanceyour Highness may not have heard whathas happened since your departure ?"

" Yes, I have told her all," remarked theLady Isabel.

" Pear nothing," said the Princess." Henceforth you will be under my protec-tion."

Editha,however, still clung to the Prioress,and would gladly have remained with herbut finding this impossible, she bade herfarewell.

" Farewell, my beloved child !" cried theLady Isabel, embracing her affectionately."I shall not forget you in my prayers.May all good saints watch over you !"With a heart too full for utterance,

Editha then left the room.


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40 MERRY ENGLAND." Eest easy, Isabel," said the Princess,

who was much touched by the scene. " Iwill be a mother to her."

It was an additional distress to Edithathat she could not take leave of her mother,for it chanced that Dame Tyler was not atthe priory on that day, and there was nottime enough to send for her. However,Sister Eudoxia undertook to convey to herher daughter's tenderest adieux.

Editha did not see the Prioress againbefore her departure. Calm as she seemed,the Lady Isabel would not trust herself toanother interview ; but sent a message tothe young damsel by Sister Eudoxia. Itwas simply this :

" Come back when you will. Your cellshall always be kept for you."

As to Sister Eudoxia, she managed to putsome constraint upon herself till Editha was


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THE YOUNG KING. 41

gone ; but when she had seen the last of hershe burst into a flood of tears. All thesisters, indeed, were grieved to lose theyoung damsel, who was a general favouriteand many a wistful eye followed her as sherode off with the Princess's train.

Since other arrangements could not bemade, she was placed on a pillion behindone of the grooms.


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11.

ELTHAM PALACE.sad was the young damsel, thatfor more than an hour shescarcely noticed any object; but

at length she became aware that they weremounting a beautifully wooded hill, and onreaching its summit, a magnificent prospectburst upon her.From the lofty eminence gained by the

cavalcade she looked down upon a dark,heathy plain, stretching far and wide, and,even then, known as Blackheath,On the right, this plain was bounded by

the royal park and domain of Greenwich.But her eye rested not long on heath orpark, but followed the course of theThames, now illuminated by the setting


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THE YOUNG KING. 43

sun, to London, which she beheld for thefirst time.

Struck with wonder at the sight, shecould scarcely believe it real. Yes ; therewas the great city of which she had heardso much. There was the grim old Tower,with its strong walls and battlements, andits frowning keep, with the royal standardfloating above it. There was the ancientbridge, with its many narrow, pointedarches, its fortified gates at either end, andpicturesque old habitations closely packedbetween the gates. There was old St. Paul's,with its massive roof and its lofty spireshooting to the sky. Beyond was the Savoy,the palatial residence of John of Gaunt, theproud Duke of Lancaster. Other noblemansions, monastic buildings and churches,there were on either side of the river, butnothing that charmed the young damsel somuch as the distant Abbey of Westminster.


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44 MERRY ENGLAND.

Seeing how interested she was with theview, Chaucer, who was riding a Httle in ad-vance, drew in the rein, and pointed out toher all the principal structures. But sheneeded not the poet's information, for shehad recognised them at once.

While they were conversing, a large cas-tellated mansion, hitherto screened by trees,suddenly came in sight ; and as she glancedat Chaucer to inquire its designation, hetold her it was the Palace of Eltham.

" The palace was built more than a hun-dred years ago," he said, " and ever since itscompletion it has been a royal residence.Henry the Third kept his Christmas here in12 09; and some fifteen years ago our lateredoubted sovereign, Edward the Third, en-tertained here the captive, John of France.A magnificent entertainment it was, andworthy of the great monarch. We had atournament, at which the King himself, with


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the Prince of Wales and all the royal dukes,jousted ; and a ball, at which all the fairestdames of the Court were present. Neverbefore, or since, have I beheld so manylovely women as on that occasion. Therewas one surpassingly beautiful person pre-sent, who is now buried in a convent."

Editha did not notice the latter obser-vation, but said, " Does the Princess makeEltham Palace ber chief residence?"

" Generally, she is with the Court, wher-ever it may beat Windsor, Shene, West-minster, or the Towerbut she is often here.One reason why she is so much attached tothe place is, that she spent many happyhours here with her valiant consort, theBlack Prince."

" I do not wonder at it," said Editha.*' Ah, I should have liked to see that bravePrince."

" You may see one who is equally brave,.


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46 MERRY ENGLAND.though he has not earned such distinctionhis ^brother, the Duke of Lancaster. Be-sides, you will see his son, the King."

" Does the King resemble his noble sire ?"asked Edith.

" Not much," replied Chaucer. " He ismore like the Princess, his mother."

*' Then he must be very handsome."" I doubt not you will think so, fair

damsel," observed Chaucer, with a smile.By this time they were close upon the

palace, and a trumpet was blown to announcethe Princess's approach.

It was a vast and stately edifice, compre-hending four quadrangles, entirely sur-rounded by higli walls, and an unusuallybroad and deep moat. Access was givento the palace, at the north and south, by astone bridge with three arches, each bridgebeing protected by an embattled andturreted gateway.


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Besides a noble banqueting-liall, thepalace contained a chapel and a magnificentsuite of state apartments.A fair pleasance and a large tilt-yard were

attached to the mansion, and the royaldemesnes comprehended no less than threeparks, each well timbered and well stockedwith deer.

Passing through the gate, which wasthrown wide open by the halberdiersstationed at it, and crossing the bridge, thePrincess rode into the principal court,where a crowd of servants, in the royalliveries, with a chamberlain at their head,having a gold chain round his neck, andbearing a white wand, were waiting toreceive her.

Already tidings had been received at thepalace of the rising at Dartford, and themarch of the rebels to Eochester ; and muchanxiety being felt for the royal lady, her


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safe arrival was hailed with the greatestsatisfaction.

These sentiments were conveyed to herby the chamberlain in a lengthened address,which, perhaps, the occasion might warrant,but which proved somewhat tedious.

Before dismounting, the Princess de-spatched a mounted messenger to the King,her son, who was then at ihe Tower, toinform him of her safe return to Eltham,and begging him to come to her early onthe morrow, as she had matter of theutmost import to communicate to him.

After expressing their deep obligations tothe Princess, Chaucer and Benedetto wouldnow have taken leave of her Highness ; butshe desired them to stay, that they mightrecount their adventures with the rebels tothe King.

" Having been eye-witnesses of the pro-ceedings of these lawless men, you are the


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fittest persons to give liis Majesty a descrip-tion of tliem," she said. " Remain witli nietill to-morrow, I pray you."

These arrangements made, the Princessalighted, and entered the palace with herladies.

The delay that had occurred affordedEditlia an opportunity of looking round thequadrangle, and she was greatly struck byits magnitude and beauty ; while she couldeasily perceive, through open archways, thatthere were other courts beyond, proving thegreat extent of the palace.

That it was splendidly kept up was shownby the number of retainers. But the youngdamsel was positively enraptured when shebeheld the grand banqueting-hall, with itsrichly carved screen, its gallery for min-strels, its magnificent open timber roof, andunequalled bay windows.

So overpowered was she when she fol-


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50 MERRY ENGLAND.

lowed the Princess and her ladies into thismatchless hall that she could scarcely drawbreath. Some idea of its size, though notof its beauty, may be formed, when wemention that it was upwards of a hundred feetlong, proportionately wide, and nearly fiftyfeet in height ; the enormous rafters beingof chestnut.

After partaking of some refreshments, thePrincess passed into the state apartments,and thence to her private rooms. She hadtreated Editha with marked kindness andconsideration, and she now assigned her asmall chamber communicating with her ownrooms, and gave orders that she shouldbe provided with suitable attire.

Patigued with her journey, and exhaustedby the anxiety she had undergone, thePrincess retired early to rest, but not beforeshe had attended complines in the chapel.When Editha appeared next morning,


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arrayed in the attire provided for her, everyone was astonished by her beauty.

She no longer looked like a simplecountry maiden. Her slender figure wascharmingly displayed by a tight-fitting cotehardie of green velvet ; a gold girdle, fromwhich hung a long chain of the same metal,loosely encircled her waist ; and round herfair tresses was bound a snowy covrechef,that imparted additional softness to herfeatures.Ever accustomed to early devotional

exercises at the Priory, she attended matinsin the chapel, and then, finding that thePrincess was with her confessor in theoratory, she went forth into the pleasance.


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III.

S&

RICHARD OF BORDEAUX.EMPTED to extend her walk by

the extreme beauty of the morn-ing, she crossed the north bridge,

passed the barbacan, and entered the park.She had not proceeded far, when the

splendid panorama she had previously con-templated opened before her.

Once more her eyes ranged over Black-heath, traced the course of the river, andsettled upon the distant city.

Once more she was gazing upon theTower, and the ancient bridge adjoining it,v/hen her attention was suddenly called toa small party of horsemen, who had justentered the avenue and were coming quicklyalong it.


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THE YOUNG KING. 53

At the head of the party rode a noble-looking youth, so splendidly arrayed, andmounted on a charger so richly trapped,that Edith a could not doubt it was theyoung King.

Uncertain whether to proceed or return,she stood still ; and, during that interval,the princely horseman, who was comingswiftly on, drew near.

She could now clearly discern that hisblue velvet mantle, lined with ermine, wasembroidered all over, and fiistened at theneck with a diamond clasp ; that his tunicwas of cloth of silver; his girdle studdedwdth jewels, as was the hilt of hisponiard ; and his velvet cap richly orna-mented with precious stones.The trappings of his charger were of blue

velvet, decorated with the royal badge ofthe white hart, with the letter J^ worked insilver, proving, beyond doubt, that it was


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So finely cut and delicate were the youth-ful monarch's features, so smooth andblooming his cheeks, so long the brownlocks that fell down upon his shoulders, soslight his figure, that he almost looked adamsel in male attire, especially when con-trasted with the three nobles who followedhim, all of whom were strongly made, andhad manly visages.

These knightly personages were theBaron de Vertain, Sir Simon Burley, andSir Eustace de Valletort. The latter hasalready been described as the lord to whomWat Tyler was vassal, and from whom hereceived his freedom.

Sir Eustace had been a great favouritewith the Black Prince, and was one of thoseto whom the hero, when dying, committedthe care of his son. Sir Eustace had dis-charged the trust as faithfully as he could.Though the valiant knight had seen hard


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service in France, Brittany, and Castile, andhad now reached the middle term of life, hewas still full of vigour, and exceedinglyhandsome. His attire was not so extrava-gant as that of De Vertain, who glitteredin diamonds and rich stuffs, and wore parti-coloured hose and cracowes, like a Courtpopinjay as he was, but he could not com-pare with De Valletort.

Sir Simon Burley was somewhat olderthan De Valletort, but a noble-looking per-sonage.

Behind rode three esquires, and as manypages, all extremely well mounted, and ap-parelled in the royal livery.The young King was not yet sixteen.

Born on the Feast of the Epiphany, in 13G7,he was surnamed, from the place of hisbirth, Eichard of Bordeaux. He was bap-tized by the Archbishop of Bordeaux, in theChurch of St. Andrew, in that fair city ; the


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56 MERRY ENGLAND.

Bishop of Agen and the King of Minorcabeing his godfathers.

Singularly beautiful as a child, and fullof quickness and intelligence, Richard gaveearly promise of high and noble qualitiesbut he had the misfortune to lose his illus-trious father, the Lord Edward of England,before his character was fully formed ; and,indeed, the long and painful illness, some-times attributed to poison, from which theBlack Prince suffered, prevented him frombestowing sufficient care on his son. Buthe relt the deepest anxiety on his account,knowing the dangers he would be exposedto from the designs of his ambitious uncles,,and his last thoughts were of Richard.On the day after the death of his grand-

sire, Edward III., Richard, then in his-eleventh year, rode, in solemn state, fromthe Palace of Westminster to the City ofLondon. The superb procession was pre-


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ceded by trumpeters, who made tlie streetsring with the bruit of their clarions.

Before the youthful King rode his uncle,the Duke of Lancaster and the Duke ofNorthumberland. The sword of state wasborne by Sir Simon Burley ; and the royalcharger, trapped in cloth of gold, and havinga splendid plume of feathers on its head, wasled by Sir Nicholas Bond. Richly arrayedpages walked on either side.

Clad in white velvet, the youthful monarchcharmed all the beholders by his grace andbeauty of feature. His retinue was com-posed of a vast number of nobles, knights,and esquires, all richly apparelled.On his entrance into the City, Eichard

was met by the Lord Mayor, the Sheriffs,and the Aldermen, in their robes, accom-panied by a great body of citizens on horse-back, and making a very goodly show.

After being warmly welcomed by the


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civic autliorities, the young King rode slowlythrougli the streets, amid the ceaseless accla-mations of the assembled multitude. Theconduits flowed with wine ; temples and tri-umphal arches were everywhere reared ; thehouses were hung with tapestry and clothof arras ; and nothing was heard but joyousshouts, mingled with strains of music andthe loud braying of trumpets.The grandest pageant was at Cheapside,

where a mimic castle of great size waserected, on the four turrets of which stoodbeautiful damsels, all of the same age as theyoung King, and arrayed in vestments ofwhite.On the arrival of the royal procession,

these lovely young damsels showered leavesof gold upon the young King and those withhim ; and then, descending from their ele-vated

;position, served them with wine in

cups of gold.


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THE YOUNG KING. 59

But this was not all. By means of someingenious mechanism, which we pretend notto describe, an angel flew down from thesummit of the castle, and placed a circle ofgold on the young King's brow.

Everywhere received with demonstrationsof loyalty and affection, Eichard quitted theCity, highly gratified by his visit.As soon as the late King's obsequies were

finished, Eichard was crowned with extra-ordinary splendour at Westminster Abbey,the ceremony being performed by Simon deSudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, intlie presence of the King's three uncles, theDuke of Lancaster, the Earls of Cambridgeand Buckingham, the barons, all the greatofficers of the Crown, abbots, and prelates.No previous coronation had been so splen-

did, and it was hoped that it portended aprosperous and brilliant reign.But the King, being a minor, many years


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CO MERRY ENGLAND.

must needs elapse before he himself couldassume the reins of government ; and theseyears were fraught with peril.A Council of Regency was appointed, of

which his uncles were members, the Dukeof Lancaster being the real head.

Serious events soon occurred. Hostilitieswere renewed with France and Spain, andthe truce with Scotland was broken. Thenew wars occasioned enormous expenditure.Large subsidies had to be raised, and theburdens of the people were increased by theintolerable imposts. To make matters worse,the wars were not successful.For the first few years of the young King's

reign, ample grants were obtained ; but thedemands were so incessant that loud com-plaints were made, and petitions sent toParliament, praying for the dismissal of theMinisters.

Despite all efforts to remove them, they


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THE YOUNG KING. 61

remained in power, and continued theirexactions. Fresh taxes were levied, ren-dered especially obnoxious by the mode oftheir collection ; and these led to the risingwe have described.

Eichard's education was purposely neg-lected by his uncles. Sir Simon Burley,who was beloved by his father and trustedby his grandfather, had been appointed histutor. But he had not sufficient authorityto control his royal pupil. His counselswere disregarded, his reproofs derided.

However, the young King was wellversed in all manly exercisesin tilting,archery, wrestling, and delighted in fieldsports, in which he was allowed freely toindulge. Moreover, he was a perfecthorseman.

Though endowed with excellent qualities,and possessing a generous disposition,Eichard was wayward and self-willed, and.


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62 MERRY ENGLAND.

even at that early age, addicted to pleasure-able pursuits. Inclined to be a great cox-comb, he was extravagantly fond of dress,and loaded himself with jewellery. Por onerobe of cloth of gold, adorned with preciousstones, he gave thirty thousand marks.He was surrounded by flatterers some-

what older than himself, who encouragedhis frivolous and extravagant tastes, andcounterbalanced the wholesome advice ofhis mother.

Still, though grievously disappointed, thePrincess did not despair, but persuaded her-self that her son's nobler qualities would bedeveloped as he grew older, and that hewould eventually become worthy of thegreat name he bore.

Sir Simon Burley and Sir Eustace deValletort were with the young King at theTower when he received his mother'smessage, praying him to come to her at


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Eltham on the morrow, and tliey urged himto obey the summons.Though the thoughtless young monarch

was not so much alarmed as his attendantsby the reports he had heard of the insurrec-tion, he was curious to hear some account ofit from his mother's lips.He therefore resolved to go to her, and

ordered Sir Simon and Sir Eustace to attendhim. He also decided upon taking withhim the Baron de Vertain, who was anespecial favourite.The royal party set out from the Tower

betimes, and reached Eltham much earlierthan was exj^ected.


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lY.

THE MEETING BETWEEN THE YOUNG KINGAND EDITH A.

FTER a moTiientary indecision, aswe have described, Editha thoughtit best to turn back, but was pre-

sently overtaken by the young King, whograciousl}'' returned the obeisance she madehim ; and, being much struck by her appear-ance, drew in the rein, and addressed her.

*' Give you good morrow, fair damsel !" hecried, in a blithe voice. " I marvel not youhave come forth early, seeing the morningis so enchanting. I have much enjoyed myride across the heath. I had no idea it wasso pleasant."


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" It looks deliglitful, my liege," observedEditlia, timidly.

" You are one of the Princess's atten-dants, I suppose, and have just returned withher from Canterbury ?" remarked the King.

" Only from Dartford, my liege," she re-plied.

" From Dartford !" exclaimed Eichard." That was where the insurrection com-menced. You must have witnessed it. Wereyou not greatly frightened?"

" I saw very little of it, my liege. I tookrefugee in the prior}-, and the rebels quittedthe village immediately, and marched on toRochester."

" 'Tis well our mother did not encounterthem !" cried the King.

" Indeed, my liege, her Grace didencounter them yesterday, near Canterbury,"replied Editha.

VOL. II. 5


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66 MERRY ENGLAND.

" Ha ! Did they offer lier any rudeness ?"exclaimed Richard, quickly.

" No ; they treated her with great re-spect," she rephed.

" Then they are not such graceless villainsas we deemed them !" cried the King, laugh-ing. "You hear what this damsel says, mylords ?" he added, turning to his atten-dants who were close behind him.

" We do, my liege, and are rejoiced tolearn that her Grace sustained no injury,"observed the Baron de Vertain. "Had itbeen otherwise, we would have hanged themall."

" Then you must have hanged some thou-sands," observed Sir Simon Burley. " 'Tismost fortunate her Grace escaped so well."

" Neither she nor her ladies were in anyway molested," remarked Editha.While this colloquy took place. Sir

Eustace de Valletort had been earnestly


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regarding Editha, and he now addressedher.

" The leader of the Dartford rebels is asmith, named Wat Tyler, is he not?" he in-quired, looking at her fixedly.

" There are several leaders," she replied." More than half the village joined the in-surgents."

" I will not ask you how the insurrectionoriginated," said Sir Simon. " We knowthat a tax-collector was slain."

'' He deserved his fate, if all we haveheard be true," interposed Sir Eustace." The damsel has already told us that shesought refuge in the priory.""'Twas the safest place to choose," said

the King.


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V.SIR EUSTACE DE VALLETORT OBTAINS SOME

INFORMATION FROM THE PRINCESS.OT expecting the King at such an

^il early hour, the Princess was atmass at the time of his arrival

but as soon as her devotions were finishedshe repaired with her ladies to the great hall,where she found him at breakfast with hisattendants.

Richard immediately arose from the table,and flying to meet her, bent the knee andkissed her hand. This act of filial respectperformed, his mother tenderly embracedhim.

After she had received the congratulationsof Sir Simon Burley and the others on herescape from the rebels, she was ceremoniously


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conducted by lier sod to the table, which wason a dais at the upper end of the hall.The Princess sat on the King's right, and,

next to her, on the other side, was SirEustace de Valletort. All her ladies occu-pied seats at the upper table.On the King's left were De Vertain and

Sir Simon Burley. Chaucer and Benedettowere placed at the lower table. As yet theyhad no opportunity of conferring with theKing. By her Grace's express orders,Editha was stationed behind the Princess'schair.The Princess's account of her meeting

with the insurgents was listened to with thegreatest interest, and with evident uneasi-ness, by Sir Simon Burley and De Valletortbut Pichard, who seemed surprised andrather amused that Sir John Holland and theyoung nobles should return to Canterbury,did not attach much importance to the in-


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surrection, and expressed an opinion that itwould very soon be quelled.

" What can these wretched peasants do ?"he cried. " Sir John and his little bandought to have scattered them like sheep 1"

" Sir John thought differently," remarkedthe Princess, gravely. " The insurgents arestubborn and resolute, and better armedthan your Majesty seems to suppose. Itwill be prudent and proper to make termswith them."

" Make terms with rebels ! That we shallnever do !" exclaimed Eichard, scornfully.

" I mean that the grievances of whichthey justly complain must be redressed,"said his mother.

" I did not know that they had anygrievances," cried Eichard, with a carelesslaugh. " I fancied they were rather toowell treated by their lords.""So they are, my liege," observed De


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Vertain. " They are far better treated thanthey deserve.""Not so, my lord," said the Prmcess.

" They do not comphiin without reason.They are much oppressed, and the Kingwill be badly advised if he does not listento their prayers."

*' They must address their prayers to theCouncil, not to me, madam," said Richard." I do not tax them."

" But they say your Majesty will ruin thekingdom by your extravagance," remarkedDe Vertain.

" Ha ! say they so ? Thenby my father'shead !I will grant none of their petitions !Am I to be checked in my expenditure bythese sordid scoundrels ?"

" Certainly not, my liege," observed DeVertain. " That were a rare jest "

" Yet it may happen in right earnest,"said Sir Simon Burley.


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72 MERRY ENGLAND." It icill happen, if you continue to turn

a deaf ear to the complaints of your sub-jects !'"' said the Princess. " This youngdamsel," she added, signing to Editha tocome forward, " whom I have brought withme from Dartford, will tell you how muchdiscontent prevails among the peasantry.""She can have had no opportunity for

observation," remarked the King." Pardon me, my liege ; I have had everyopportunity," said Editha. " I have seenand heard much ; and I venture to affirm,in your royal presence, that the people havejust cause for complaint. This wicked andtreasonable rising would never have occurredhad their prayers been listened to."

" Our mother has taught you this lesson !"laughed Eichard, incredulously." No ; 'tis from her I have learnt it," said

the Princess.

'You surprise me!" said the King. "I


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should not have supposed she would troubleherself with such matters. Pray, who isthis fiiir damsel who has contrived to obtainso mucli important information ?"

" She is the dauMiter of the chief leaderof the insurrection," replied the Princess.

Every one now looked astonished, and theKing most of all."Wat Tyler's daughter!" he exclaimed." By St. Edward, I cannot believe it !"

" It must be a jest, my liege !" mutteredDe Vertain.

" I am not in a mood for jesting," saidthe Princess, who had overheard the remark."As I have stated, Editlia is the rebelleader's daughter. But let me add, tliatwhen the outbreak occurred, she sought anasylum with the Prioress of St. Mary, bywhom she was yesterday committed to mycare."

" I trust she does not share her father's-


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sentiments," observed Richard. " Nay ; I amcertain she is no rebel," he added quickly,perceiving that the young damsel lookedmuch pained by the observation.

" Your Majesty has not a more loyal sub-ject than myself," cried Editha, earnestly.

" Enough !" said Eichard. " Had youbeen otherwise than loyal, I should havedistrusted my own skill in physiognomy.Never, I am sure, could a treasonable thoughtbe harboured in that gentle breast !''

" You only do her justice, my son," ob-served the Princess

" May I ask 3'our Grace a question ?" saidSir Eustace de Valletort, in a low voice, to

. "the Princess. " You say this fair damsel is"Wat Tyler's daughter?"

" She passes for his daughter," replied thePrincess, in an under tone, and with a certainsignificance. " But no one can look at herand doubt that she is of gentle birth. She


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lias been brought up in a cottage, and as theoffspring of those who have had the care ofher."

" But you mentioned the Prioress of St.]\Iary," remarked Sir Eustace, with tremu-lous eagerness. " Does she take an interestin Edithaas I think this damsel is named ?"

" She has been as a mother to her !" re-plied the Princess.

Sir Eustace said no more, and avoided thelook fixed upon him.

Shortly afterwards, silver ewers filled withrose-water, and napkins, were brought by theattendants. On rising from the table, thePrincess was conducted by her royal son tothe state apartments.


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VI.SIR SIMON BURLEV

ASSINGr through a gallery, oc-cupying one side of the greatquadrangle, and in which stood a

vast number of richly-clad retainers, thePrincess and her royal son, followed by allthe company, entered a stately apartment,more than a hundred feet in length, andadorned with tapestry from the finestFlemish looms, representing boar hunts,wolf hunts, and scenes of hawking.At the upper end of this magnificent

apartment was an estrade, surmounted by acrimson velvet canopy, embroidered in goldwith roses, and the royal cognizance of theWhite Hart.


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THE YOUNG KING. 77

On the estrade were two royal seats, de-signed for the King and his mother, when acouncil should be held, or some importantpersonage be received by them in state.But the Princess did not now proceed

beyond the centre of the chamber, wherethe company assembled.

Desirous of having a private conferencewith her son, she took him and Sir SimonBurley into the recess of a deep bay-window ; and as soon as they were out ofhearing, begged tlie old knight to state hisopinion frankly as to the insurrection.

" Madam," replied Sir Simon, gravely, " Ihave already given my opinion to the King.I believe it to be the most dangerous out-break that has ever menaced the State !Nor do I see how it can be quelled. Porthe present it is confined to two countiesKent and Essex ; but I fear it will spreadthroughout the whole kingdom. A circum-


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stance has just happened to me, which Iwill relate to you, as it shows the extremeaudacity of the insurgents, A burgher ofGravesend, named Thurstan, who is a bond-man of mine, solicited his freedom from me.I demanded four hundred marks ; and as herefused to pay the money, I sent him aprisoner to Eochester Castle. When takenthere, he told the Constable, Sir John deNewtoun, that he would soon be set free.And it is certain he must have found somemeans of communicating with the rebels ;for when they came to Eochester, they senta message to the Constable, demandingThurstan's immediate release; adding, thatif he were not given up to them, they wouldstorm the castle and take him."

" And I much fear they will try to exe-cute the threat," remarked the Princess.

" Sir John de Newtoun will laugh atthem," said the King. " I hope he will


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hang Thurstan from the walls of the castle,and bid the rebels take him down, if theywant him."

" That would only enrage them the more,and cause them to proceed to dire extre-mities," said the Princess.

" You are right, madam," rejoined SirSimon.

" Rochester is one of our strongest castles,and can hold out against a legion of badlyarmed peasants," cried the King.

" But it may be taken by treachery, andthat is what is to be apprehended," saidBurley.

" Methinks jou greatly overrate thedanger. Sir Simon," said Eichard. " Whatcan the people do against the nobles andknights ?"

" That question will have to be answeredat the point of the sword, sire," repliedBurley. " Unluckily, we have no army to


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" "What !" cried Eichard, in astonisliment.*' Is an army required to quell an outbreakof peasants ?"

" Sire," replied Sir Simon, " we know notwhom to trust. As yet, we cannot tell whoare loyal, and who traitors. This con-spiracyfor a conspiracy it ishas been sowell contrived, and kept so secret, that itcannot have been the work of a commonhand. Some important personage musthave been concerned in it. I scarcely darebreathe my suspicions, but I think "And he hesitated." Speak out !" cried the King. " You

suspect one of our uncles ? It cannot be theDuke of Lancaster. He is at Eoxburgh."

" I suspect the Earl of Buckingham, myliege," rej^lied Sir Simon. " He is thoughtto be in Wales ; but some one much re-sembling him has been seen in Essex sincethis rebellion broke out."


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"You never hinted this to me before,"said the King.

" I only received the information late lastnight, my liege, and meant not to repeat ittill it should be confirmed. But I think itbest not to keep it back, that your Majestymay be aware of the magnitude of thedanger."

" If our uncle of Buckingham is conspir-ing against us, the danger is, indeed, great,"said the King. " But I cannot think it."

" I have already warned you againsthim," said the Princess.Eor a moment a shade came over Eichard's

countenance, but it quickly disapj^eared.His mother and Sir Simon watched him

anxiously." A council ought to be held without

delay," observed the Princess. " Would itcould be held here !"

" I have anticipated your wishes, madam,"


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82 MEKRY ENGLAND.

replied Burley. " Before quitting tlie Towerthis morning, I despatclied messengers tothe Archbishop of Canterbury at LambethPalace, and to the Lord Treasurer at hismanor of Highbury, acquainting them bothwith the perilous state of things, and tellingthem they would find his Majesty at Elthara,with your Grace."

" You did well, Sir Simon," said the Prin-cess, approvingly, " The Chancellor of therealm and the Lord Treasurer are best ableto advise at such critical conjuncture."

" I have taken another step, of which Ihope his Majesty will approve," pursuedBurley. " Having heard that some of thecitizens are disaffected, I liave summonedSir William Walworth, the Lord Mayor,and Sir John Philpot, to attend, in orderthat his Majesty may learn the exact truth.Both are thoroughly loyal and trustworthy,and can be relied on in this emergency."


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THE YOU^'G KING. 83

" I know it," replied Eichard ; " I haveperfect faitli in them. But I will not dis-trust the good citizens of London. When-ever I have gone among them they havereceived me with, demonstrations of loyaltyand regard. You cannot fail to remembermy first visit to the City, Sir Simon, andthe welcome given me on that occasion?"" I remember it well, my liege," repliedBurley. " But things have changed sincethen. However, we shall hear what theMayor has to say."

Just then an usher, bearing a whitewand, made his appearance, and, bowingprofoundly, informed the King that theLord j\Iayor and Sir John Philpot had justarrived at the palace.

" They are heartily welcome," criedEichard. " Bring them to our presenceforthwith, and take care that their atten-dants are well entertained."


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84 MERRY ENGLAND." They have obeyed the summons

quickly," observed the Princess.Scarcely was the usher gone, when the

chamberlain appeared, and announced thearrival of the Archbishop of Canterburyand the Lord High Treasurer, Sir RobertHales.

" Our council will be complete," said theKing, repeating the order he had just givento the usher. " Come, madam, let us takeour seats," he added to the Princess.

" Before holding the council," she re-joined, " had you not better confer withMaster Geoftrey Chaucer and Messer Bene-detto ? Both have been captives of therebels, and have much to relate, which it isneedful your Majesty should hear."

" Let them relate it to the council," saidEichard. " Bid them follow us," he added,to Sir Simon.

Leading the Princess to the estrade, he


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THE yOUNG KIMG. 85

placed her on one of the royal chairs, andseated himself beside her.The Baron de Yertain and Sir Eustace de

Valletort stationed themselves on the rightof the King, while Sir Simon Burley, withChaucer and Benedetto, stood on theleft.

The general company did not move fromthe centre of the apartment, and betweenthem and the royal seats were grouped anumber of richly clad attendants.


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VII.SIR WILLIAM WALWORTH AND SIR JOHN

PHILPOT.

EESENTLY a stir was heard atthe lower end of the room, andtwo striking-looking personages,

preceded by an usher, could be seen makingtheir way through the assemblage.The foremost was the Lord Mayor.Above the ordinary height, strongly

built, but extremely well-proportioned, SirWilliam Walworth had features of the trueSaxon type. His locks were of lightbrown; his beard of the same colour. Hiseyes were of a clear grey, quick and pene-trating.

The habitual expression of his counte-


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THE YOUNG KING. 87

nance was frank, good-humoured, andcordial ; but lie could look stern enoughwhen severity was needed. His frame-showed that he possessed great personalstrength, and he was a proficient in allmartial exercises. Though a merchant. Sir"William was half a soldier, and had a con-siderable body of armed men under him.Indeed, a strong escort had attended him tothe palace.The Lord Mayor wore a dark blue velvet

gown, bordered with fur, and his cote-hardie was of the same stuff". Eound hisneck was the collar of SS, and from hisgirdle hung a dagger, destined to becomehistorical.

Sir William Walworth was a wealthyLondon merchant, and much esteemed byhis fellow-citizens for his high character.He was a member of the Fishmongers'Company, and when he was advanced to


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the mayoralty, a pageant of extraordinarysplendour was exhibited by them in hishonour. At a subsequent date his statuewas placed in the 'great hall of the Com-pany, within a niche behind the chair ofthe Prime Warden.

Sir John Philpot was another renownedand wealthy London merchant. Aboutthree years prior to the date of our story,he performed a singularly daring action,to which some allusion has already beenmade.

When the war broke out again in Scot-land, a bold pirate, named Mercer, who hadseveral armed vessels under his command,carried off a fleet of merchantmen fromScarborough. No effort being made by theCouncil to capture this pirate, who continuedto scour the North Sea with impunity. SirJohn Philpot armed a small squadron at hisown cost, and went in quest of him.


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THE YOUNG KING. 89

Captain Mercer was easily found, and quiteready to give battle to the brave citizen,who at once attacked him, and capturinghim and all his vessels, brought them intothe port of London.

For this gallant and patriotic act he wasreprimanded by the Council, who forbadehim to wage war on his own account ; buthe little recked the reproof, feeling he hadearned the gratitude of his fellow-citizens.

Quite as tall as Sir William Walworth,and quite as powerfully made, the braveknight, though plain of feature, had anopen, manly countenance, characterized bygreat firmness of expression.

His locks were grizzled, and his cheeksbronzed by exposure to the weather. Hiscostume was devoid of ornament. He worea furred gown, beneath which could be seena velvet tunic. From his ji^irdle hunir apurse and a badelaire, or short broadsword.


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As the Lord Mayor and his companionwere ushered into the royal presence, andeach had made a profound obeisance, Eichardrose from his seat, and, descending a singlestep of the estrade, but no more, receivedthem with great dignity of manner.

" Welcome, my good Lord Mayor !" hecried. " Welcome, also, my brave andfaithful Sir John Philpot ! Eight glad arewe to see you botli at a moment when ourthrone is threatened by rebels ! You bringus, we trust, good tidings, and can give usthe assurance that all your fellow-citizenscontinue as loyal and well affected as theyhave ever heretofore shown themselvestowards us. Is it so?"

Having said thus much, he resumed hisseat.

" Sire," replied the Lord Mayor, in a firmvoice, " I cannot answer the question youhave deigned to put to me as satisfactorily


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THE YOUxNG KING. 91

as I could desire ; but I will not attemptto disguise the truth, however unpalatableit may be to your Majesty. The bulk ofthe citizens of London are as loyal anddevoted as ever ; but I grieve to say thereare many disaffected persons among them,who seek to incite the others to rise inopposition to your authority."

Richard uttered an exclamation of ang-er."How say you, Sir John Philpot?" he

cried. " Do you confirm the Lord Mayor'sstatement ? Do you believe the citizens ofLondonsome few of them, I meanarefactious and seditious ?"

*' My liege, 'tis even so," replied Philpot." Some evil influence hath been at workamong them of late, and many loyal burghershave been turned from their duty."

" By whose agency have they been thusperverted. Sir John ?" demanded the King,sharply.


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" 'Twere dangerous to speak too plainly,my liege," he replied. " My suspicionsmust be for your Majesty's private ear."

" You hint not at a member of theCouncil, eh?"

" I hint at no one, my liege."" Then speak plainly."" Sir John has spoken as plainly as he

can," remarked the Princess, in a low tone,to the King. " He dares not name youruncle, the Earl of Buckingham. You mustquestion him in private."

" Thus much I will boldly declare to yourMajesty," said Philpot; "and I will takethe consequences on my own head. Someof those who have fomented this rebelhonare not far to seek.''And as he spoke, he directed a glance atChaucer, who was stationed near the King,as previously mentioned.

" If that false and calumnious charge is


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THE YOUNG KING. QS'

made against me, Sir John, I can easily re-lieve myself from it," said the poet. " Mes-ser Benedetto and myself have both beenmade prisoners by the rebels, and owe ourdeliverance from them solely to her High-ness the Princess of Wales."

" You were at Dartford at the time of theoutbreak," said Sir John, still looking fixedlyat him. " Ton were seen in converse withthe rebel leader."

" Nay, good Sir John, that proves no-thing," interposed Benedetto. " I also wasat Dartford at the time of the outbreak, andI likewise conversed with Wat Tyler. More-over, I was made prisoner by another rebelleader, and should be in captivity now, andin peril of my life, had not the Princess,graciously undertaken that I should pay aheavy ransom, which 1 shall do, of course,albeit the men are rebels."" But you are not, like IMaster Geoffrey


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Chaucer, a partisan of the Duke of Lan-caster," observed Philpot.

" You have not forgiven the Duke, SirJohn, because he reprimanded you formaking war on your own account, in thecase of the Scottish pirate, Mercer," observedChaucer. " His Grace has no more to dowith this insurrection than I have."

" Then he is greatly misrepresented, andso is the Earl of Buckingham, for the citi-zens make free with both their names," saidPhilpot. " Some are for John of Gaunt,some for Buckingham."

" But none for the King ?" cried thePrincess.

" Yes, madam," replied Philpot ; " I spokeonly of the disaffected. Beyond doubt, themajority of the citizens are still loyal."An interruption was here offered by the

chamberlain, who announced the Archbishopof Canterbmy and the Lord Treasurer.


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VIII.

THE ARCHBISHOP OV CANTERBURY AND THELORD OF ST. John's.

IMON DE SUDBURY, Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Chan-cellor of England, was a very

stately personage, his imposing appearancebeing heightened by the splendour of hisvestments. His cope and dalmatic werecovered with the richest embroidery andwhite sillv : all being flowered with gold.His shoes and gloves were likewise richlyembroidered, the latter being adorned at theback with jewels. A silk coif covered hishead.The Archbishop's person was lofty, his


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expression proud, and liis deportment ex-tremely dignified.A man of a very high order of intellect,

and of admirable judgment on all matters,ecclesiastical or secular, Simon de Sudburyhad exercised great influence in the statecouncils during the latter part of theprevious reign, and was much regarded byEdward III.Appointed Chancellor on the accession ofE-ichard II., he had discharged the dutiesof his onerous office with the greatest ability

and rectitude, though unfounded imputa-tions were cast upon him by his enemies.

Since his elevation to the archiepiscopalthrone, in 1374, Simon de Sudbury hadconferred great benefits on Canterburyhad improved the internal condition of thecathedral, enlarged his palace, repaired theruinous city walls, and built a new gate,which still remains to attest his worth.


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Sir Eobert Hales, Grand Master of St,Jolm's Hospital, and Lord Treasurer, who-accompanied tlie Archbishop, had a veryaustere countenance. Earely, it would seem,


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till the Archbishop had pronounced a bene-diction over him. He then thanked hi^Grace and the Lord Treasurer for sopromptly attending to his summons.

" Never had we greater need of your wiseand prudent counsel than now," he said." I have long dreaded this outbreak, my

liege," rejoined the Archbishop ; " but ithas come upon us suddenly at the last. Weought to have been better prepared ; wehave had plenty of warnings."

"That is true, your Grrace," said theKing ; " but the warnings have been dis-regarded. The question now before us ishow the rebellion can best be crushed.Come forward, I pray you, my Lord Mayorand you. Sir John Philpot. We must havethe advantage of your counsel. Sir SimonBurley, and Sir Eustace de Valletort, youmust likewise lend us aid."

So saying, the King returned to his seat.


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THE YOUNG KING. 99

and tlie Archbisliop stationed himself onhis right hand. The others gathered roundthe foot of the estrade."Your Majesty has asked how this re-

hellion can best be crushed," said Sir SimonBurley. " 'Tis a question, I fear, that noneof us can answer satisfactorily. The momentfor the outbreak has been so well chosen,that it finds us wholly unprepared. Ourarmies are in Brittany and Spain. To re-move the forces from the North wouldexpose us to an immediate invasion fromScotland. We have scarce men-at-arms,enow for the defence of London. How,then, are we to attack the rebel host ?"

" Two thousand men can be raised withinthe City of London," said Sir John Philpot;" and if his Majesty will give me the com-mand of them, I will march at once againstthe rebels. If I disperse not the knaves, Iwill consent to lose my head !"


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"Your proposition likes us well, SirJohn," observed Eichard. " How say you,my Lord Mayor, can you spare two thou-sand men ? "

" No, my liege," replied Sir WilliamWalworth. " Not half the numbernot athird. As I have already intimated toyour Majesty, there are many disaffectedcitizens, and these ill-disposed persons wouldassuredly rise in revolt were an opportunityafforded them, as it would be by theremoval of the soldiery, who now keep themin restraint.""You are right," observed Sir Simon

Burley." Would that the Duke of Lancaster were

here !" exclaimed Sir Kobert Hales," He is better at Roxburgh," cried Phil-

pot, "Were he here, he would be morelikely to lead the rebels than to aid in rout-ins: them !"


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THE YOUNG KING. 101

" You malign his Grrace V cried the LordTreasurer, indignantly. " AVere he presentyou would not dare to make such a chargeagainst him!"

" I will stand by my words !" said Philpot,boldly.

" The charge is false !" cried Chaucer,stepping forward ; "as false as the accusa-tion thou hast just brought against me ofconspiring with the rebels at Dartford !"

" I have proof of what I have stated, thaton the evening before the outbreak you hada private conference with the chief of theinsurgents," rejoined Philpot. "I counselhis Majesty to keep you a close prisoner inthe Tower till the rebellion be put down."

" I shall be content to remain a prisonerif his Majesty entertains any doubt of myloyalty."

" You are a known partisan of our uncle,good Master Chaucer," observed Eichard.


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" We shall be glad to liave you with us atthe Towernot as a prisoner, but as a guest.You will, therefore, return with us."

Chaucer bowed, and retired. But he casta, menacing glance at Sir John Philpot.

" I would this poll-tax had never beenimposed," observed the King. " It has ledto most unfortunate results."

" 'Tis not the tax that has caused theoutbreak, my liege, though it may seem tohave done so," rejoined the Archbishop." The peasantry have long been discon-tented."

" And they have real grievances to com-plain of," remarked the Princess. " Since,as it now appears, his Majesty cannot findsoldiery to put them down, will it not bebest to treat with them, and grant theirrequestsprovided they are not immode-rate ?"

"You say well, madam," rejoined the


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Archbishop. " 'Twill be advisable to listento their complaints. At all events, timewill be gained."

" But they must not be deluded with falsehopes, or they will become yet more em-bittered against us," said the Princess.

" Before his Majesty can make any pro-mises to the insurgents, he must know whatthey askor, rather, demand," observed theTreasurer.

" True," replied the Princess. " But Iwould have him meet them in a conciliatoryspnit.

" In his negotiations with the rebels, hisMajesty must be entirely governed by theirconduct towards him," said the Archbishop." A favourable hearing ftiay be granted topetitions and entreaties, but he cannot yieldto threats."

" Never !" cried Eichard. " I would diesooner !"


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" I like not the notion of treating withrebels," observed Sir Simon Burley. " Butit appears to rae that we have no option."

" Nay ; it is certain we must either fightthem or treat with them !" cried Sir Eustace'de Valletort. " For my own part, I wouldrather fight them !"

" Where are they now ?" demanded theLord Mayor.

" They were at Canterbury yesterday,""replied Sir Simon. " And, doubtless, theyare there still, unless the inhabitants haveexpelled them."

" The inhabitants, I fijar, will take partwith them," said the Archbishop. " Manyof them are as disaffected as the citizens ofLondon have been described to be by theLord Mayor."

" I am sorry to hear your Grace say so,"observed the Princess. " I fancied the citywas as loyal as any in England. Should it


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be as your Grace represents, I fear my son.Sir John Holland, and the young nobleswith him, may be in some danger."

" Did you leave them there, madam ?"inquired the Archbishop.

" They were compelled to take refuge inthe city, in order to avoid the insurgents,"she replied.

" And you have had no tidings of themsince :

" None, your Grace."" You need have no uneasiness on their

account, madam," remarked the King." Sir John Holland has just made liisappearance. You may see him, with someof his attendants, at the lower end of theroom. He will bring us the last news ofthe rebels."

" I am right glad to see him. I own Ifelt much uneasiness on his account," saidthe Princess.


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Next moment Sir Joliii Holland ap-proached the royal circle.

It was evident, from the state of hisattire, that he had ridden fast and far, andhis appearance excited a strong feeling ofanxiety among the persons around theKing.He was followed by Sir Osbert Monta-

cute, looking equally exhausted.


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IX.THE BARON DE VERTAIN AND SIR JOHN PHILPOT

PROPOSE TO ATTACK THE REBELS.ICHARD immediately arose, and,embracing liis lialf-brother, con-gratulated him heartily on his

escape from the reb

(1874) merry england: or nobles and serfs (volume 2)

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