The second division marched to the Tower, which they entered, notwithstanding its being guarded by six hundred men at arms, and the same number of archers, and there seizing Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, and the above Sir Robert Hales, caused them both to be beheaded on Tower hill.
The third division, which were the Essex party, proceeded to Mile-end, where being met by the King, who agreed to all their demands, they the same day dispersed, and returned home.
Wat Tyler, with the rest of his desperate crew, however, continued committing the greatest disorders in London and Westminster, and, under the plausible pretence of reforming public abuses, they set open the prisons of the Fleet and Newgate, murdered many of the most eminent citizens, and dragging the Flemish merchants from the churches, where they had fled for refuge, beheaded them in the streets. Nor did their monstrous cruelty stop here; for they proceeded murdering and burning in a most horrid manner in many parts of the city; and not only made proclamation for the beheading of all lawyers, and persons concerned in the Exchequer, but even of all who were able to write.
At length King Richard, encouraged by his success at Mile-end, sent to let Wat Tyler know that he would have a conference with him in Smithfield, upon which that rebel marched slowly thither, at the head of his forces; but no sooner saw the King, than setting spurs to his horse, he boldly rode up to his Majesty, leaving all his companions behind. His behaviour and proposals were equally brutish and absurd, for he would be satisfied with nothing less than a commission to behead all lawyers, and the abolition of all the ancient laws of the kingdom; at which, William Walworth, the Lord Mayor, was ordered to arrest him, when that brave magistrate gave him such a blow on the head with his sword, that he fell wounded from his horse, and was soon dispatched.
The rebels, in the mean time, observing what was done, cried out, Our Captain is murdered, let us revenge his death, and immediately bent their bows: when Richard, though but fifteen years of age, with astonishing prudence and bravery rode up to them, crying, “My friends, will you kill your King? be not troubled for the loss of your leader. I will be your captain, and grant what you desire.” Upon which they changed their resolution, and marched under his conduct to St. George’s Fields, where finding a thousand citizens completely armed, they were struck with such an amazing panic, that, throwing down their arms, they begged for mercy, which being granted, they immediately dispersed.
Several writers ascribe to the action of this day, the addition of the dagger to the arms of the city, in remembrance of the good service done by them, and particularly by the Lord Mayor.
This, and other rebellions, being suppressed, King Richard, in the year 1390, appointed a great tournament to be held in Smithfield, on the Sunday after Michaelmas; and having caused it to be proclaimed in all the principal courts of Europe, several princes and noblemen from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and other countries, came to distinguish themselves by their courage and military skill. On the day appointed, which was Sunday in the afternoon, a pompous cavalcade of sixty ladies set out from the Tower, all richly dressed, and mounted on fine horses, each leading an armed Knight by a silver chain, attended by their Esquires, who passing through Cheapside proceeded to Smithfield, where the justs continued four days, in the presence of the King, the Queen, and the whole court; his Majesty himself giving proofs of his skill and dexterity on the second day. During the whole time open house was kept at the King’s expence, at the Bishop of London’s palace, for the entertainment of all persons of distinction, and every night the diversions concluded with a ball.
Two years after, the city refusing to lend the King a sum of money, and some of the citizens beating and abusing a Lombard merchant, for offering to advance the sum required, the King was so exasperated, that he sent for the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and twenty four of the principal commoners of the city, to attend him at Nottingham, which having done, the Mayor was committed prisoner to Windsor castle, and the rest to other prisons. A commission, under the great seal, was then granted to the Dukes of York and Gloucester, the King’s uncles, to enquire into that and other offences, of which the above persons being found guilty, they were not only fined 3000 marks, but the liberties of the city were seized; the Mayor was degraded from his office, and a Custos appointed in his room; the Sheriffs were also degraded, and others chosen; and, by the King’s precept, seventeen persons were appointed Aldermen, during the royal pleasure. As a farther mortification to the city, the King not only withdrew, with the nobility, to York, but removed the courts of justice to that city.
However, upon payment of the fine of 3000 marks, all the city liberties were restored, except the privilege of chusing her own Mayor. And the King, returning to London, was met at Shene, or Richmond Heath, by four hundred citizens on horseback, dressed in a rich uniform, with the Recorder at their head, who made a speech, in which he humbly begged pardon for their past offences, and earnestly entreated his Majesty to honour the Chamber of London with his presence; to which he consenting, they attended him to St. George’s church in Southwark, where he was received by a solemn procession of the clergy, and five hundred boys in surplices, with the Bishop of London at their head. At London bridge he was presented with a fine horse, adorned with trappings of gold brocade, and his Queen with a fine pad, and very noble furniture.
Never was the city more richly embellished than on this occasion, for the citizens of all ranks strove to outvie each other, in honour of their reconciled Sovereign; the streets were lined with the city companies in their formalities, and the conduits all the while ran with variety of wines.