CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS: OR, A True Relation of the Insurrection in CANTERBURY on Christmas day last, with the great hurt that befell divers persons thereby.  
Written by a Citizen there, to his friend in London.  
LONDON, Printed for Humphrey Harward. 1648.   

CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS: OR, A True Relation of the Insurrection in Canterbury on Christmas Day last, with the great hurt that befell divers persons thereby.  
Upon Wednesday, Decemb. 22. the Crier of Canterbury by the appointment of Master Major, openly proclaimed, that Christmas day, and all other Superstitious Festivals should be put down, and that a Market should be kept upon Christmas day.  
Which being not observed, (but very ill taken by the Country) the town was thereby unserved with provision & trading very much hindered; which occasioned great discontent among the people, caused them to rise in a Rebellious way.  
The Major being slighted, & his Commands observed (only of a few) who opened their Shops, to the number of 12 at the most: They were commanded by the multitude to shut up again, but refusing to obey, their ware was thrown up and down, and they at last forced to shut in.  
The Major and his assistants used their best endeavour to qualify the tumult, but the fire-being once kindled, was not easily quenched.  
The Sheriff laying hold of a fellow, was stoutly resisted; which the Major perceiving, took a Cudgel, and struck the man: who being: now puny, pulled up his spirit, and knocked down the Major, whereby his Cloak was much torn and dirty, besides the hurt he received.  
The Major hereupon made strict Proclamation for keeping the Peace, and that every man departed to his own house.  
The multitude hollowing thereat, in disorderly manner; the Aldermen and Constables caught two or three of the rout, and sent them to the Jail, but they soon broke lose, and Jeered Master Alderman.  
Soon after issued forth the Commanders of this Rabble, with an addition of Soldiers into the high street, and brought with them two Foot-bales, whereby their company increased. Which the Major and Aldermen perceiving took what prisoners they had got, and would have carried them to the Jail. But the multitude following after to the King's Bench, were opposed by Captain Bridg, who was strait knocked down and had his head broke in two places, not being able to withstand the multitude, who getting betwixt him and the Jail, rescued their fellows, and beat the Major and Aldermen into their houses, and then cried conquest.  
Where leaving them to breathe a while, they went to one Whites a Barber, (a man noted to be a busy fellow) whose windows they pulled down to the ground: The like they did to divers others, till night overtook them, and they were forced to departed, continuing peaceable the next day, it being the Saboth.  
On Monday morning the Multitude coming, the Major set a strong watch with Muskers and Holbards in the City, both at the Gates and at S. Andrews Church, the Captain of the Guard was White the Barber.  
Till noon they were quiet, than came one Joyce a Hackney man, whom White bid stand, the fellow asked what the matter was, and withal called him Round-head; whereat White being moved, cocked his Pistol and would have shot him, but the Major wished him to hold: Nevertheless he shot, and the fellow fell down but was not dead. Whence arose a sunden clamour that a man was murdered, whereupon the people came forth with clubs, The Major and Aldermen made haste away; the Town Rose again and the Country came in, took possession of the Gates, and made enquiry for White, they found him in a hayloft, where they broke his head, and dragged him in the streets, setting open the Prison doors and releasing those that were in hold.  
Next they vowed revenge on the Major, pulling up his posts, breaking his windows, but at last, being persuaded by Sir William Man, Master Lovelise, Master Harris, and Master Purser had much a do to persuade them from taking of his Person; so came tumultuously into the high street, and their demands were so high, that those Gentlemen could not persuade them. Afterward meeting Master Burly the Town Clark, demanded the Keys of the Prison from him, which being granted, they with those Gentlemen formerly named, went again to the Town Hall to Treat, and came to an agreement, which was, that forty or fifty of their own men should keep the Town that night, being completely armed, which being performed (the morning issued) and they continued in arms till Tuesday morning: There are none as yet dead, but divers dangerously hurt.  
Master Sheriff taking Whites part, and striving to keep the Peace, was knocked down, and his head fearfully broke, it was God's mercy his brains were not beat out, but it should seem he had a clung pate of own.  
They went also without S. Georges-gate, and did much injury to M. Lee.  
As I am credibly informed, the injuries that are done are these.  
They have beat down all the windows of M. Major's House, burned the Stoops at the coming in of his door. Master Reeves windows were broke. Master Page, and Master Pollen, one Buchurst, Captain Bridge, Thomas Harris, a busy prating fellow, and others were sorely wounded.  
It is Ordered, that Richard White and Robert Hues, being in fetters, be tried according to the Law, and upon fair Composition, the multitude have delivered their Arms into the Hands of the City, upon engagements of the best of the City, that no man shall further question or trouble them.  
FINIS.