“It rings to call you to arms,” replied Osbert, “in defence of your liberties and religion. A rising is about to take place to depose Philip and Mary, place the Princess Elizabeth on the throne, and restore the Reformed Religion, as established by King Edward VI., of blessed memory.”
“Hear you that, my masters?” cried the man. “The mass is to be put down, and the Protestant faith restored.”
It so chanced that the whole of the persons addressed were Protestants, so they cheered lustily, and shouted, “Down with the mass!”
Meanwhile, the bell never for a moment ceased its clamour, and numbers of other persons, armed like those who had first appeared, answered the summons. Many of these joined in the cries against Popery, but others being Romanists, retorted furiously, and struggles immediately began to take place between the opposing sects. As the crowd was continually on the increase, the hubbub and disturbance grew louder and louder, and a general engagement was threatened.
Just then, a party of twenty-five or thirty men, armed with pikes and carrying lanterns, came up, shouting, “Down with the mass! Down with Antichrist!” Thus reinforced, the Protestants laid about them stoutly, and soon drove off their opponents.
This victory gained, they began to shout lustily, and called out for a leader, whereupon Osbert Clinton leaped upon a stone bench, and waving his sword above his head, cried out in a loud voice, so as to be heard by all, “I am ready to lead you, and if you will stand firmly by me and my associates, we will deliver you from Spanish tyranny and oppression, and re-establish your religion. No more inquisitorial practices—no more ecclesiastical commissions—no more burnings at Smithfield. We will release all those imprisoned for heresy.”
“We will release our preachers and pastors,” cried Stafford, leaping upon the bench, “and punish their judges. We will hang Gardiner and Bonner.”
Shouts and terrific yells responded to this proposition.
“Here come the arquebusiers!” shouted[shouted] several voices, as the trampling of horses and the clanking of arms were heard.
“Close up, and stand firm!” cried Osbert, springing from the bench and making his way towards the head of the crowd, which now, in obedience to his commands, had formed itself into a compact mass.