“A letter is come from the King,” pursued Dr Thorpe, “exhorting the commons to obedience and patience, and they shall receive redress of their griefs.”
Philippa and Robin now came ambling alongside, for here they could ride three abreast.
“But what profess the commons to be their griefs?” said Isoult; “for I did never yet rightly understand.”
“Firstly,” said Dr Thorpe, “they do allege the young age of the King, and the having a Protector over them.”
“What foolishness!” exclaimed Avery. “Would they have the King grow unto manhood in a day? or think they that he abideth a child of set purpose?”
“Then,” pursueth Dr Thorpe, “their second matter is, the ’stablishing of Lutheranism within the realm. They would fain see the mass set up again, and have the Six Articles back.”
“The Bloody Statute!” cried Isoult. “God forgive them!”
“And the third matter is the enclosures,” added he.
“Methinks men are not over weighted with religion, that be so ready to pull it down,” remarked Philippa.
“That hangeth on whether it be truth or error,” replied he.