“Also divers that had been with Bigod in his commotion came to the said Aske, whom he did not apprehend, but bade them not fear, for he would get their pardon.”—Deposition on the Conduct of Robert Aske, MS. much injured, Rolls House, first series, 416.
[227] Rolls House MS. A 2, 28.
[228] In the first surprise in October, the Privy Council had been obliged to levy men without looking nicely to their antecedents, and they had recruited largely from the usual depôts in times of difficulties, the sanctuaries. Manslayers, cutpurses, and other doubtful persons might have liberty for a time, and by good conduct might earn their pardon by taking service under the crown. On the present, as on many other occasions, they had proved excellent soldiers; and those who had been with Lord Shrewsbury had been rewarded for their steadiness. Under the circumstances he had perhaps been better able to depend upon them than on the more creditable portion of his force. After the pacification at Doncaster, Norfolk was ashamed of his followers; he proposed to disband them, and supply their place with penitent volunteers from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The king, who was already displeased with Norfolk for his other proceedings, approved no better of his present suggestion. “His Majesty,” wrote the Privy Council, “marvels that you should be more earnest in the dissuasion of the retainder of them that have been but murderers and thieves (if they so have been), than you were that his Grace should not retain those that have been rebels and traitors. These men have done good rather than hurt in this troublous time, though they did it not with a good mind and intent, but for their own lucre.... What the others did no man can tell better than you. If these men may be made good men with their advancement, his Highness may think his money well employed. If they will continue evil, all the world shall think them the more worthy punishment for that they have so little regarded the clemency of his Highness calling them from their evil doings to honest preferment.”—Hardwicke State Papers, p. 33.
[229] Duke of Norfolk to the Earls of Sussex: State Papers, Vol. I. p. 534.
[230] MS. State Paper Office, first series, Vol. IV.
[231] “I did not dare assemble the people of the country, for I knew not how they be established in their hearts, notwithstanding that their words can be no better.”—Norfolk to Cromwell: MS. State Paper Office.
[232] Norfolk to Cromwell: MS. ibid.
[233] “This night I will send two or three hundred horse to them, and have commanded them to set fire in many places of the rebels’ dwellings, thinking thereby to make them to steal away, and every man to draw near to his own for the safeguard of his house and goods. I have also commanded them that if the traitors so sparkle they shall not spare shedding of blood; for execution whereof I will send such as I am sure will not spare to fulfil my commandment.”—Norfolk to Cromwell: MS. ibid.
[234] Henry VIII. to the Duke of Norfolk: State Papers, Vol. I. p. 537.
[235] Hall says, at Carlisle, but the official reports, as well as the king’s directions, imply that the executions were not limited to one place.