Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 125 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

+ : pons at him; but their fury distur MERRY ENGLAND. westenes, appointed to assist the executioner in his tas First to suffer was the good Archbishop. He looked = at the circle of spectators, but met not a pitying giance. Howling like so man shook thelr wea- him not. Quietly unfastening the piece of fine linen known as the amice, suspended over his shoulders, he took it off, and next removed his alb. These were the sole prepara- tions he made. Then turning to the headsman, he told him he forgave him. The surly caitiff made no response, but signed to him to kneel down. The aaence eomned but before laying his vener- able head upon the block, he lifted up his hands to Heav- en, and ejaculated: “Oh, all ye blessed angels and saints, assist me by your prayers!" Growing impatient at the delay, the executioner forc- ed him down, and then struck at him with the axe; but the blow not proving fatal, the Archbishop slightly rais- ed himself, and joyfully, and with a beautifiead expres- sion of countenance, exclaimed: e Heaven will that I should be ranked among the mar- Not till the seventh stroke was the good man’s head severed from the body. ‘ i Lord Treasurer met his fate with the utmost reso- ution. Insensible, apparentiy. to the outcries of the spectators he looked sternly at the two leaders, and then, throwing off his velvet gown and chain, said to the headsman: “Take those, thou clumsy variet, and do the work quickly, if thou can’st.” Satisfied with the gifts, or ashamed of his previous awkwardness, the executioner struck off the Lord Treas- urer’s head with a single blow. But the ferocious rebels were not content with these acts of vengeance, Setting thetwo heads on pikes, they carried them to London Bridge, and fixed them on the City Gate, where the heads of traitors were usually laced. ™ In order that the head of the Archbishop should be re- ized, they nalled his black cap to the skull. he bodies of the two illustrious victims were left on ‘Tower Hill, and remained there—none daring to remove them—till the following nigh The mutilated remains of the Lord High Treasurer were dnterred in the Temple; and the good Archbishop, who had won a crown of martyrdom, though he failed to re- ceive it on earth, found a fitting place of sepulture with- in the choir of Canterbury Cathedral. When the tomb was accidentally opened a few years since, it was found that a leaden shot occupied the place of the head. Once a year, in former days, the Mayor and Aldermen of Canterbury used to visit the tomb offthe great benefac- tor of the city, and pray for his soul. wolves, the CHAPTER V. ‘CATHERINE DE COURCY TAKES KEFUGE IN DARTFORD PRI- ORY. werful charger, and having Catherine de Courcy seated behind him, Conrad quitted Eltham secretly that night, and rid with at swifcness, reached Dartford Priory in less than an hour. The gates were closed, and some little time elapsed be- fore the old porter could be induced to open them; but at last he ylelded to Catherine's supplications, and ad- mitted them Into the court. Though it was now somewhat late, the Prioress, who had not yet retired to rest—being engaged in prayer— came to the door with Sister Eudoxia, and on thelr ap- pearance, Conrad instantly set down his fair charge, and as the light carried by Sister Eudoxia fell upon the features ot the new-comer, the Prioress uttered an ex- clamation of surprise. “TI thought it was Editha,” she cried. “No, *tis I—Catherine de Courcy,” replied the other; “Tam come to seek refuge with you, holy mother.” “You are welcome, dear Catherine,” replied the Pri- oress, tenderly embracing her. “ My thoughts were run- ning upon one for whose preservation I have just been MOUNTED on & raying.” Pith a mind iy relieved at having thus success- fully a ed his object, Conrad departed without a word. He returned to Eltham without drawing bridle, and, entered the palace as secretly as he had quitted tt, . A great weight was taken from Sir Lionel’s mind when he learnt that his daughter was in safety. After some converse with the old knight, Conrad was about t to retire, when Sir Lionel ato him. neice. “ ve & pian to propose,” = , ought to oe acted, upon forthwith. Are all the men in rebels?” tnt msn replied Conrad; “they have all joined the ” Meare you propose to them to return to their allegi- ce “Twill sound some of them to-night, and if I find them favorably Lo a I will muster the whole garri- gon to-morrow, and march them to London. Conrad's overtures were so well received by the men Be padtestet, that he was encouraged to carry out his esign. Next day, at an early hour, he summoned the whole garrison to the courtyard. Fully armed, and mounted on his charger, and having Sir Lionel beside him, likewise on horseback, he made the men a lengthened address, in which he pointed out to them the certainty of their ultimate destruction if they continued in rebellion, promising them not only pardon but reward, if they returned to their duty, and proceeded to the King's assistance. Addressed to willing ears, his arguments prevailed; the epee of on and reward being doubtless the main ucemen Raising a loud shout for the King, and Eamaneiah ing their weapons, they promised to follow wherever Conr should lead them. “Then we will march to London at once!” cried Con- rad oyrerrnined not to let thelr newly-aroused loyalty cool. * Follow me!” “Help to put down the King’s enemies, and your mis- deeds will be forgotten and forgiven!” cried Sir Lionel. Once more the echoes of the palace were awakened by loyal shouts, as the late rebels followed Conrad and the old knight across the drawbridge. Thus was the royal palace, for a Aimecoomplately aban- doned. But betterso than occupied as it had been, SE ere rence en oot on su a am not surprised at it,” said the other. “The men are beginning to get frightened, and are glad to purchase their pardon. On arriving at Blackheath, at the old knight's sugges- tion, Conrad called a halt, and addressing the ae, BONG: “It behooves us to act with the utmost caution. hen we enter London, we must make it appear that we still belong to the rebel party. By such means we shall not be attacked, and shall be better able to render assistance to the King. We will declare ourselves at the fitting mo- ment. Await the signal from me." ape romaiaing attention to the order, the men continued ema As they approached Southwark, the numerous desolat- ed and half-burnt mansions showed them the havoc com- mitted by their former comrades; and so sad was the spores that it excited feelings of compassion even in their rugged breasts. Before crossing London Bridge, Conrad again halted to make inqutries, and the information obtained determin- ed him to proceed at once to Tower Hill. Ere this, the heads of the Archbishop and the Lord igh Treasurer had been fixed on the e ate, and the sight so enraged Conrad and Sir Lionel, that, unable tocontrol themselves, they dispersed the crowd who were gazing at the relics. CHAPTER VIL. HOW THE OUTLAW WAS SLAIN BY CONRAD BASSET; AND HOW CONRAD WAS KNIGHTED BY TiiK KING, NEVER was London the acene of so many strange and terrible events as at the period of our tale. While two of England's wisest and bert sons were butchered on Tower Hill, an effort, that proved success- ful, was made by the royal party to drive out the rebels left within the fortress, when Wat Tyler quitted it to wit- ness the executions. Owing to the treasonable apathy of the archers and men-at-arms constituting the garrison, Sir Simon Burley, Sir Eustace de Valletort, and all the knights and esquires, had been unable to prevent the entrance of Wat Tyler into the fortress, and were compelled to remain tn the upper part of the donjon until the rebel leader had taken his victims to Tower HILL. They then ventured forth, and making their way tothe stables without being discovered, mounted their steeds. While they were collecting all the men-at-arms they could, they were joined by the King, who was so trans- ported with fury that he Insisted on leading the attack on the rebels; and, springing on his steed, and snatching a lance from an esquire, he dashed forth, calling upon the others to follow him, and charged the rebels who were left in the gd ward, Taken completely by surprise, and unable to resist the attack, they fled, and numbers were ridden down, and slain by the knights; but the majority ran swiftly along the lower ward, and escaped by the gates. Excited by the pursuit, and purning 60 avenge himself of the Insults he had received from Wat Tyler, Richard imprudently followed them, despite of entreaty, beyond the Bulwark Gate. In vain his followers called to him to stop; he rushed madly on for more than two hundred yarus, and only drew up when he perceived a very formidable-looking rsonage, mounted on a black steed, dashing towards im at a headlong pace, sword In hand, with the evident design of capturing or slaying him. Then he stopped, but it was too late. Ere he could turn and fly, the flerce-looking horseman, who had descried him at a distance, was upon him. The terrible assailant with whom the young King had to deal, though he knew him not, was the Outlaw. Not many minutes previously the redoubted rebel leader had appeared, witha certain portion of his fol- lowers, on Tower Hill, and ag te gg that a great num- ber of insurgents were flying from the fortress, he gal- loped down towards to Bulwark Gate, to ascertain the cause. Long before he got there, the King avoeered, and the chance of cantornig the young monarch, whom he in- stantly recogn , made quicken his e. Dashing up to Richard, and seizing his bridle, he called out, in a loud, threatening voice: “Vield thee as m prisoner!" “Away, Villain!” cried Richard, * Know’st thou not Iam the King?” To his surprise, however, his assailant did not relin- quish his hold, but replied, In an insolent tone: “I know It! Nevertheless, thou art my prisoner!” But assistance was at hand. Just at the very nick of time, Conrad Basset appeared, A few mortes viously, he had entered Tower Hill, and was riding along at head of his men with Sir Lionel by his side, when he perceived the ‘s dan- er, Drawing his sword, he dashed forward, and called out: ‘Release his Majesty instantly, villain, or ——” “What meanest thou, Conrad?” cried the Outlaw, withou releasing his hold, : “ Defend thyself, villain!” rejoined Conrad, “Thou art a false traicor, Conrad!" cried the Outlaw. *“'Tis thou who art the traitor!" rejoined the traitor. “Tam the avenger!” A brief, but terrible, confilct then ensued, regarded with fearful interest by the King—regarded, also, with fearful interest by hundreds of other spectators; but it resulted in the death of the Outlaw, whose throat being pierced by Conrad's sword, fell backwards from his steed, exclaiming, with bis latest breath: “ Curses on thee, traitor! Thou hast robbed me of the crown!” Meanwhile, Sir Lionel de Courcy had joined the King, and in consequence of the explanation he was able to give his Majesty, Sir Simon Burley and the others, Con- rad was invited to enter the fortress, and bring the whole of his men with him. Richard then drew his sword, and In the presence of all his nobles dubbed his deliverer knight. authoritatively. CHAPTER VIL THE KING AGRFES TO HOLD A FINAL CONFERMACE WITH WAT TYLER AT SMITHFIELD. From the brow of Tower Hill Wat Tyler witnessed the deliverance of the King, and the subsequent death of the Outlaw by the hand of Conrad Basset. Though astounded and _enra that Conrad had gone over to the royal party, Wat Tyler almost forgave him for his desertion, since he had freed him from the only erson able to compete with him for sovereign rom capa ent Pepe apa geo ne paposman: batt e had felt that a« arre: must 8 y arise between mimeelt and the Outlaw. This difficulty was now re- moved. Feigning however, deep regret at the death of his brother c lef, and apne Sine revenge, he caused the body to be conveyed to Leadenhall, and shortly after- wards followed it thither, to take possession of the Out- at astare he left a very la body of ore ’ y men —numbering nearly thirty thousan pom Tower un- wer, der the command of Hothbrand, to ent any supplies from being received by the besieged, and also to check any attempt on their part to sally forth. ohn Ball accompanied him to Leadenhall, where they os = ae consultation together as to the next step to aken. As Wat Tyler now despaired of carrying out his ambi- tious projectin regard to Editha, he resolved to seize up- on the young King, since he could then pass such meas- ures as he pleased in the name of his royal visitor. To besiege the Tower, now that the garrison was In- creased by the men brought from Eltham, would be a work of time. To enter the fortress by stratagem would be dimMficult. the advice of John Ball, he ordered Hothbrand to make a proclamation nash J Richard to meet him on the following day at Smithfield, when they could hold a conference, and the King could ‘hear the demands of the Commons. A solemn pledge on the part of Wat Tyler was likewise to be given that no harm would be done to the King or his attendants; but this promise was not meant to be kept, Wat Tyler's real intention pee J to seize upon the young monarch and alay his attendants, Notice of the proclamation was brought to the King, who had with him at the time Sir Simon tag Sir Eus- tace de Valletort, Sir John de Newtoun, Sir Lionel de Courcy, and the young members of the Council at once decided that his Majesty ought not to attend the propos- ed conference, “'Tis a stratagem on the part of this daring rebel to get you Into his power, my liege,” said Sir Simon, “If you quit the Tower, you will never return.” “But I shall be guarded by the Lord Mayor, Sir John Philpot, and allthe valiant and loyal citizens,” replied Richard. “Moreover, I can count upon Sir Robert Knol- les, Sir Perducas d’Albreth, anda their companies.” “That Wat Tyler meditates some treachery I nothing doubt, my liege,” observed Sir Conrad Basset; “ but he shall never accomplish his design. Your Majesty may attend the conference without fear. I will slay him, as I slew his brother chief, With his death the rebellion will be ended, since no one can take his place.” “Bir Conrad ts right,” sald Sir Lionel. “ Your Majest will be in no danger, and the opportunity of getting ri of this powerful rebel ought not to be neglected.” “The gien promises well, but the risk is too great,” ob. served Sir Eustace. “The risk will be mine,” said Sir Conrad; “ but I will ladly sacrifice my life if I can deliver his Majesty from this thraldom, and enable him to recover the sovereign- ty of the realm, which he hath well-nigh lost.” “You will not deliver me alone,” said Richard, “ but thousands of my loyal subjects, whose lives and proper- ty are men by this villain and his robber host. My lords, I will attend the conference at Smithfield.” No further opposition was offered by the two members of the Councll; for though they had not changed thetr opinion as to the extreme hazard of the plan, they hoped for succers. Accordingly, a Sxpmpes was sounded, and proclama- tion Was made that at noon on the following day the King would proceed to Smithfield to hold a conference with the insurgent leader, and would be Fesparcc, when in full possession of the grievances ofthe people, to assent to all the just demand of the Commons. When this anawer was brought to Wat Tyler and tho monk, who were feasting at Leadenhall, the latter ex- claimed: * "Tis well! We shall take him as easily os a fowler snareth a bird!" CHAPTER VIIL WAT TYLER IS AGAIN WARNED BY FATHER OAWEN, NEXT morning, preparations were mado for that meect- ing, on the issue of which depended the continuance of the monarchy of England. 6 nobles and cle were niready doomed to extermination by the rebela. Whether the young would share their fate,a few hours would decide. at Tyler ray believed if the throne became vacint, he was destined to mount it. The royalists were under a like impression. In their opinion, the decisive moment of the conflict between the Nobles and the Commons had arrived. ther they must crush the rebel leader, or he would crush them. Wat Tyler must never leave the place of meeting alive. Such was thelr firm resolve. Strange to say, the rebel leader had such relinnce on fortune, that he felt sure he should come away unharm- ed and triumphant, Clad in a complete sult of chain mail, over which he wore a surcoat embroidered with the royal way 3 and mounted on a superbly-trapped charger, hard, escorted by Sir Simon Burley, Sir Eustace de Valleto pos Co Basset, De Gommegines, De Vertain, an other knights and barons, quitted the Tower, uncertain whether he should ever return to It. Among those with the King was his brother, Sir John Holland, but the meh lg og kept aloof from the others, and rode with Sir Osbert Montacute. The band of former rebels brought from Eltham, whose fidelity could now be relied upon, were left in charge of the Tower, under the comma of the Lieu- tenant and Sir Lionel de Courcy. The tlements and towers were covered with archers and cross-bowmen, and the gates were instantly closed as s00n as the royal party had passed. All the rebels, however, had by this time quitted Tower IItll for Smithfield, Smithfield, at the period of our history, wasa la plain at the back of the Tower, overlooked by the eastern Walls ofthe City. Tg was approached from Ald- gate and by a postern gate from Tower Hill, On this broad and level fleld, peeapdondy 4 adapted for the purpose, tilts and tournaments on magnificent scale were frequently held, and judicial combats and duels decided, Here, in 1374, splendid joustsa were exhibited for seven days by Kdward LIL, tn honor of his favorite, the beautl- ful Alice Perrers, who was conducted thither by the in- fatuated monarch in a gorgeous car, followed by a trata of knights and damsels mounted on chargers and palfreys. Such displays were now , and Smithfield, instead of being the scene of kn pig encounters and royal magnificence, was covered by thousands of tusurgents, whose intention was to plander all the wealthy ot nl yt and then setting fire to the City in four places, burn own, ‘ From St. Botolph's to the Minories Cross, ee which stood a convent of poor nuns of the order of St. Clare, and extending thence to the eastern verge of the plain, was drawn up the entire insurgent force, numbering, as we have more than once explained, nearly a hundred thousand men. The foremost ranks were occupled by archers and cross-bowmen, the rest of the hos ae. with pikes, pole-axes, bills, glaives, glavelots, an es. None were mounted except Wat Tyler, Hothbrand, Gomiuilchdoo S) (E()