Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 125 — page 30: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

. ~ - a MERRY ENGLAND. BOOK THE FIFTH. SMITHFIELD, CHAPTER I. A NIGHT OF TERROR. THaT night the Outlaw made his headquarters In Leadenh then a large private mansion, belonging to Sir Hugh Nevil, having flat battlements, coated with lead, when it derived its name, and a large central court. ‘This hall afterwards became the property of the renown- Richard Whittington. In Leadenhall, after this sanguinary day's work was over, the Outlaw feasted and caroused with Hothbrand and others of his officers, laughing and jesting over the direful deeds they had done, and planning others, equally direful, for the morrow. And here he stored the vast amount of plunder he had obtained. The large courtyard of the mansion was filled with armed men, who kept watch seca g the nigvt. Armed men were also pl in the adjoining markets; and Gracechurch and Fenchurch Streets were guarded in like manner for fear of a Sur ieee, But in ab a where 80 much slaughter had taken lace—for all the merchants had been ed at the Standard—thousands of drunken wretches were lying fast asleep, and might have been “killed Uke files,” as Froissart saith, had any armed men fallen upon them. But none of the loyal citizens dared to leave their houses. Wat Tyler passed the night In a very different manner. Having resolved upon a separate course ‘of action, he kept aloof from his brother chief. ter witnessing the destruction of the Savoy, he con- ducted his division of the army throught the lower part of city, along Thames Street and Tower Street to Tower 1, where he posted himself, with the design of a venting any assistance from being brought to the King, Ps any provisions from being introduced into the ortress, During his march through the City he would not allow pfilage. Large supplies were brought by the citizens who were favorable to the cause; and he told his men that these must suffice for the present. A dreadful night of terror and suspense was passed by those within the beleaguered fortress—all communica- per with their friends and with the City being now cut off, From their place of observation, the summit of the White Tower, the King and the Council witnessed the burning of the Savoy, and oy beheld the arrival of Wat er and his host on Tower Hil. t was now clear that the fortress was to be assaulted on the morrow, and preparations were made for its de- fence; but it was also clear that the boldest and bravest ef the Council, Sir Simon Burley and Sir Eustace de Val- letort, were not hopeful, having reason to fear the garri- gon would capltulate. By the King’s command, Sir John Holland had been re- leased from confinement in the Beauchamp Tower, but was not allowed to enter the palace, and was sent to keep guard on the walls. CHAPTER IL. HOW WAT TYLER ENTERED THE TOWER. NExtT morning, those who looked from the walls and battlements of the fortress, and from the summit of the donjon, saw the whole of Tower Hill covered with an armed multitude. Terrible to hear were the shouts of these wild-looking men. After awhile a troop of rebels, bearing a banner of Bt. George, rode down as near they dared, to the Bulwark Gate, and, sounding a trumpet, called out that unless the ing came out to confer with thelr leader, they would forthwith attack the fortress, and slay all within It. This insolent message was repeated to Richard, and troubled him exceedingly. Seen meeting of the asked the r Couneill, he ir advice, and Sir Simon Burley re- commended thas he should agree toaconference outside the Bulwark Gate, and while it took place, they would endeavor to seize the rebel leader, and conveying him in- to the Tower, instantly put him to death. The opted ne pater trumpets were blown from. the battle ta, an tice was given to the rebels that, an hour hence, the King would sally forth, and hold a eonference with their leader. A loud shout from the beslegers signified their satisfac- tion; and, a little time before the interview, a large of archers moved down toward the Bulwark Gate. They were headed by Wat Tyler, with a body-guard of some two hundred qos men-at-arms. _ Undeterred by this formals (7 ay, Richard, fully armed and mounted on a Row le er, came forth. He was attended by Sir Simon Burley, Sir Eustace de Valisork: Sir Osbert Montacute, the n de Vertain, and Gommegines—all well mounted and completely armed, In the rear were five score archers. ~ On seeing the pe Lange his attendants come forth, and noticing that the Bulwark Gate was encumbered by areh- ers bowmen, Wat Tyler ordered his men toc e, and dashed forwa At the same time the company of rebels behind gave a loud shout, and pressed on after the hosemen. Alarmed oye charge,ithe King instantly turned back, and though Sir Simon Burley and Sir Eustace tried to se Aigo ‘ A Seagate the fortress, and they were com- ollow. Put the -were hindered by the men-at-arms, and before they could get iu Wat Tyler and his men prevented the gates sree : me slased, the drawbridge raised, and the rteu we Pao CUER ly and so successfully was.the manoeuvre ac- complished, that within a quarter of an hour after the King’s retreat, more than two thousand rebels had en- tered the fortress, and the Tower was nm by Wat Ty- ler almost without a blow being struck. The atthe gates and the men on the battlements were driven away, and replaced by rebels. the upper part of the White Tower was in the hands of the royalists, and was occupied by Sir Simon Burles, Sir Eustace de Valletort, and the knights. In the chapel of the White Tower, the Archbishop of Cauterbury and the Lord High Treasurer had taken re- fuge. But the rebel leader was content that they should re- gs age ent Mle ith whom he had e ‘the only persons with who deal—the King, the Princess % and Editha, ' OHAPTER It. WAT TYLER'S PROPOSAL To THE KING. So sudden was the entrance of the rebels into the Tow- r, and so numerous were they, that the garrison, either from fear, or, as was yeaa one from a secret understand- ing with the insurgents, attempted no resistance. However, the guards stationed at the gates of the pal- ace proved faithful, and refused to admit the rebel lead- er and those with him; but they were quickly slain, Dismounting in the courtyard, Wat Tyler, attended by a dozen men, entered the , and ascertain: ing from an usher that the King was in the Princess’ aparsmeensa, commanded the te ed official to conduct hither t A As the rebel leader strode along the passage with a proud step, he felt that at length the object of his ambi- tion suse gained, and that supreme power was within his reac As may be supposed, the palace was in the utmost con- fusion. Grooms, pace. and yeomen had disappeared. Frightened to death, the Princess’ ladies had shut them- selves up in their own rooms, The only person left with the royal lady was Editha. They were together when Richard sought his mother's Sparemanta. The Princess’ courage did not forsake her at this tryin qunetare. but seemed to rise with the occa- sion; an Eat ha displayed great spirit. The xing having told them that the Tower was in the hands of the rebels, and that they might expect an im- mediate visit from Wat Tyler, they were not surprised when the door was suddenly opened, and the rebel ty bm marched into the room, leaving his followers out- side. After advancing a few paces, hestopped. His stalwart figure, 5 eee by the armor he wore, his ei a mien, and the extreme sternneas of his looks, combined to give hima yory formidable appearance. He made no one pee to the King or to the ncess, but waited to a As Richard remained silent, the Princess, collecting all her energy, said to the insolent intruder: “How dar'’st thou profane this apartment with thy presence?” “Tam here by right of conquest, madame,” he replied. “The Tower is in my hands, and I shall enter any room within it think fit. I have come to make certain propo- sitions to your son, the King; and I am much mistaken it, having regard to his ety and welfare, you do not counsel him to accede to them.” “State what thou hast to say!" cried Richard, who, by this time, had regained his sel sposeeenion, “Firat, then,’ said the rebel leader, hanghtily, “let me declare—as, indeed, must be evident—that I alone can maintain thee on the throne! I have now greater power than thine uncle, John of Gaunt, whose palace I yesterday burnt down, or than the Earls of Cambridge and pap gpa Though I war with the nobles and the knights and with the clergy, I do not seek tO dethrone thee, but will uphold thy authority on certain terms.” “ thy terms,’’said Richard. “I am willing to listen to them.” “ That the peoute may confide in thee, thou shalt es- a daughter of the people,” rejoined Wat. “ That Sirs confide in thee, thy consort shall be my daughter s.*” Before Richard could answer, the Princess interposed. “ Editha is not a daughter of the people " she rejoined, boldly. “Neither is she thy daughter.” “She passeth as such," sald Wat Tyler. “That is suf- ficient.’ Then, turning to the King, he added: “Let me havean ey to my proposition, thas I may know how to ac 8 “Ere you reply to this bold man, my liege,” said Editha, “suffer me, I pray you to say a word. I owe him no obedience, and will render him none! Reject his insolent proposition—reject it with seorn! Defy his utmost threats and malice. He dares not raise his hand nst your royal person! Should he draw his sword, it all pierce my breast—not yours!” The words were uttered with so much energy that Wat recoiled, and she placed herself between him and the ng. But, in another moment, the rebel leader recovered, and exciaimed, in a furious voice: , “Think not to thwart my purpose, girl! I have planned this marriage, aud it shalt take place, or thou and thy great netieottess will rue it, and the will lose his crown Who shall oppose my dqtersninat n?”" “Tl oppose it not,” rejoined “Thou dost hear?” cried Wat, triumphantly. ‘The Ke agrees, Now wilt thou disobey?” ‘**T shall never marry!" said Editha. “Never marry?” exclaimed Richard. “ Not if I offer thee my hand?’ “Tam wedded to heaven!” she rejoined. “ Last night I pronounced the solemn vow at the altar before the Archbishop, in the presence of her Highness!” “'Tis true!” exclaimed the Princess. Richard uttered an exclamation of despair. “Trouble not yourself, my liege,” said Wat ler. “She shall yet be yours. The Arch ishop shall release her from the vow, or I will have his head!” And he quitted the room, with the evident determina- tion of exeeuting his threat. “IT wlll stay him!” cried Richard, hurrying to the door. But he was prevented from going forth by the rebel guard stationed outside. ‘‘Lam a prisoner in my own palace!” exclaimed Rich- ard, as he returned, with alarm depicted in his counten- ance. “The good Archbishop will be sacrificed!” *No, my son,” rejoined the Princess; “ Heaven would not permit so atrocious a deed. The Archbishop Is safe in the White Tower.” CHAPTER Iv. HOW THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AND THE LORD HIGH TREASURER WERE BEHEADED ON TOWER HILL. Ox quitting the Princess’ apartments, Wat Tyler left a guard at the door, as we have stated, giving the men strict Svan to allow no one— not even the King—te come 3 Taking another party with him, he began to search the palace, and ere long chanced upon one of the Archbish- op’s servants, who, being threatened with death, con- ducted the rebel leader and his men by a secret passage to the chapel in the White Tower, where they found the Archbishop and Sir Robert Hales engaged in prayer, Mass had just been said, and both had received the Holy Communion. Not knowing what might ensue, the Arohbishop had passed the whole of the previous night in devotion. He was now kneeling at the altur, praying and confessing his sins; and Sir Robert was kneel! beside him, when the rebel leader and his men rush Into the chapel. Alarmed by the noise, the exalted personages looked around, and seeing these savage looking men, armed with pikes and bilis, at once surmised their purpose. But they did not quit their kneeling posture. Rushing up to the Archbishop whe was ed in his full ecclesiastical costume, and wore his embroidered etio. and -and-had a black beret .on his head, Wat Tyler cbieedl him roughly by the shoulder, and forced him 4 arise. The Lord Treasurer arose at the me momen oa What wouldst thou?" demanded the Archbishop. “Come with me, Simon de Sudbury, and release a young damsel from the vow she made before thee last night, in the presence of the Princess,” said Wat, I cannot absolve her if I would,” said the Archbishop; “and I would not if I could.” “Then thou shalt die!” rejoined Wat Tyler. “T well know I have no merey to expect from thee, remorseless villain!” said the Archbishop. “Thou art right, Simon de Sudbury!" said Wat. "Thou haat long since been doomed to death for thy treason to the people, and I would not have spared thee hadst thou not nted my request! Thou also art sentenced to die the death of a traitor!" he added, to Sir Robert Hales, who regarded him sternly. “Bring them along!" he added, to his followers, “Ay, let us go!” said the Archbishop to the Lord Trea- surer. “We are both well prepared! It is best to die when there fs no longer pleasure in life!" “IT would I could have died in arms!" replied Sir Robert. Throughout this trying scene, both maintained their eustomary dignified deportment; and so majestic did they look, that the rebels did not dare to lay hands upor them, as they led them from the chapel. So expeditiously was the seizure accomplished, that Sir Simon Burley and Sir Eustace de Valletort, who were in the upper part of the donjon, were not aware of their removal. Wat Tyler's first design was to put the Archbishop and the Lord Treasurer to death on the — in front of the chapel of St. Peter; but he changed his mind, and de- cided that the executions should take place on the sum- mit of Tower Hill; since John Ball and the ater part of his followers were left there, being unable to enter the fortress, Accordingly, he gave orders that the prisoners should be taken thither; and, mounting his steed, he rode at the head of the escort. From the summit of the White Tower, Sir Simon Bur- ley, Sir Eustace de Valletort, and the other knights be- held this melancholy procession. They saw the two dig- nifled prisoners marching in the midstof the rebel guard, and a ferocious-looking ruffian, marching on foot aud bearing an axe on his shoulder. But they could not rescue them, since the men-at-arms and the archers re- fused to act. From the windows of the palace Richard and his mother, with Editha, Mkewise witnessed the dismal s tacle. Whey saw the infuriated crowd that followed in the wake, armed with pikes and bills, and heard the dread- ful cries of “Death to the traitors! Death to the op- pressors of the people!” And they knew what was about to take place. In this manner the procession passed through the gate- way of the Garden Tower, along the lower ward, and out at the Bulwark Gate; and throughout the march, exposed as they were to all sorts f indignities and in- sults from the vile miscreanta who attended them, the two illustrious personages maintained an unaltered de- portment. But they were yet more roughly treated as they toiled up Tower Hill; and the good Archbishop had need of all hts fortitude to pass through this dreadful ordeal. Asto the Lord Treasurer, his courage sustained him, and he eyed his tormentors so flercely that they drew back. Hitherto, no scaffold had been erected on Tower Hill, and indeed no execution had taken place on the ba rh ag it bf drenched with the best blood in the king- om. Stationed on the brow of the hill, John Ball seated on his mute, had watched the painful march of the vic- tims, and exulted in the indignities to which they were x ° q they came Blow ny on, he rode down to meet the pT alg op, and, addressing him in a scoffing tone, sa . 1 * . “Simon de Sudbury, thou art welcome to Tower Hill At length thou wilt reap the reward of thy crimes.” “What have I done that ye desire to kill me?” de- eo og the Archbishop. “Ihave yet to learn mine of- ense. “Thou hast deeply wronged the people,” replied John Ball, “and they have doomed thee to death. it not so, my friends?” he cried, lookiug around at the ted multitude. “Shall he not die? ‘He shall die!" they replied, as with one voice. “Thou hearest, Simon de Sudbury?” said John Ball. “Thy sentence is pronounced.” , “1 will not speak further to thee, apostate," said the Archbishop; “ but I will addreas thy deluded com ns. I plead not for life, but I ask what have I done? ‘Thou hast robbed us!" cried a thousand voices. “Ye are wrong,” responded the Archbishop. “I have worked for you; Ihave expended my mo upon — Let Rene vory speak for me. Ye know what I have done for that city. I have partly rebuilt it.” “ Heed him not,” cried John Ball. “He speake false- ly. “ He shall die!” cried the great throng, Inexorably. “ Hear me, mistaken none oried the Archbishop, in a voice that awakened attention. “If Py kill me, there will come upon you the indignation of the just Avenger. All England will be put under an interdict. On this there arose a terrible cry, and as soon ag the multitude were in some degree quieted, John Ball said: “ We neither fear Pope Gregory's interdict nor acknowl- edge his authority. Thou art a great offender, and jus- tice hath at len overtaken thee. Prepare thyself for instant death.” “Tam aiyoesy, pre ,” replied the Archbishop, firm- ly. “I passed the whole of last night in prayer and con- fensiom: and when seized by thy lawless chief, I was kneeling at the altar. Mayst thou be as well prepared to meet thy end; and it not far off. I forgivethee, and may heaven forgive thee likewise.” : To this the Lord Treasurer added, in a terrible voice: * [have no forgiveness for a wretch like thee, who has forsaken his religion, and incited mens any to rebellion! My blood will rise to heaven to bear witness nected {summon thee to appear at the Judgment three ber So awful were the words, that those who heard them Socine tee cron roduced, Wat Tyler, who had ke e u . ’ back t0 allow John Ball to 8 hed forward | , pus horsé, and ordered the execution to proceed. During the colloquy previously recounted, a large block had been brought from a neighboring, butcher's shop, and beside it stood the rufflanly h man, leaning on his axe and scowling at his victims. id was gathered a group of flerce-looking men, armed with d gisarmes, and within the circle were Wat Tyler on his steed, and the monk on his mule. Near the captives were half a dozen villanous-looking GOmiGcbooks (Elo)