“Good Master Walworth,” pleaded Stephen, “this man was more honest than many. He followed truth,—and we be all stumblers. If he sought to take the King, what did he more than John of Gaunt would do, or others of the noblesse? I have lived with Wat Tyler as he were my brother;—I know him that he sinned being ambitious, but this sin he shareth with John of Gaunt and better men; and not for himself alone did he desire to rule England, but for the sake of the poor that is so down-trodden. But John of Gaunt for power and his own sake only. I know him that he was a wrathful man,—but who so wrathful wild as Earl Percy of Northumberland, natheless men do him courtesy.”
“Master Fitzwarine,” made answer the Mayor, “give up thy sword and yield thee prisoner, for that thou defendest traitors and murderers, disturbers of the King's peace. This man hath slain the Archbishop of Canterbury.”
“'T is very true, if Wat Tyler is traitor then am I likewise,” said Stephen, and gave up his sword. And one of the aldermen bound him with a rope to lead him away. Then did Mayor Walworth take Wat Tyler's body by the heels, and dragged it forth into Smithfield and hewed the head from the trunk. This he did with Stephen's sword. After, he gave the head to that other alderman, not him that bound Stephen, and bade him take down the Archbishop's head from London Bridge and set Wat Tyler's where that one had hung; and these things were done. But Stephen was cast into a dungeon in the Tower.
CHAPTER X
The Old Fetters
N the Sunday when Long Will and Calote were come from the burial of Kitte, they were met at their door by Walworth and certain of the King's officers, who said:—
“Knowest aught concerning that arch-traitor, Jack Straw? 'T is believed he lieth hid in the city.—In the King's name, open thy door!”
“Name him not!” cried Will, and crossed himself. “I am a clerk; I may not venge mine own wrong!—Natheless his name breeds murder in my heart.” He groaned and covered his face. Those others stared in amaze.
“Heard ye not?” said Calote then. “'T was Friday he came into our cot by night, and he would have slain one slept there, but my mother ran in between.—My mother was slain.”