The just reward of Rebels, OR The Life and Death of jack Straw, and Wat Tyler, who for their Rebellion and disobedience to their King and Country, were suddenly slain, and all their tumultuous Rout overcome and put to flight.  
Whereunto is added the Ghost of jack Straw, as he lately appeared to the Rebels in Ireland, wishing them to forbear and repent of their Devilish and inhuman Actions against their lawful King and Country.   a skeleton and formally dressed man dance in a circle of four robed priests 
Printed at London for F. Couls, I. Wright, T. Banks and T. Bates. 1642.   

The Rebellious Life and Death of Wat Tyler and jack Straw.  
OBedience (saith a learned Father) is a Virtue due both unto God and man, to God as our Creator, to Man as our superior; and a learned Philosopher tells us, that to know how to obey, and how to command are two things and thus differ; for the one cometh by Nature, the other by Experience: That Country is well managed where the King knoweth Royalty to govern, and his People faithfully to serve. The Prince is supreme head of all Authority, and the Subject is enjoined to obey God, the Laws, and his Prince; for Treason can have no place where Obedience claimeth principality. So much for the Introduction, I come now to the matter itself.  
Richard the second of that name, the Son of Prince Edward, (commonly called the black Prince) the eldest Son of King Edward the third, being then a Child of the age of eleven years, began his Reign over the Realm of England the 22. of june, in the year of our Redemption 1327. being the 13. year of Charles the sixth of that name, than King of France, he was called Richard of Bordeaux as being borne there, and upon the fifteenth day of july in the year above mentioned, was Crowned at Westminster, being the day of the translation of St. Swithin, which time was Major Nicholas Brembre Grocer, and Andrew Pikman and Nicholas Twifford Shreifes.  
In the third year of this King's Reign, and toward the latter end thereof, William Walworth Fishmonger being Major, and Walter Docket, and William Knighthood Shreive's. About the beginning of summer in divers places of the Land, the Commons arose in Kent, in Essex, in Suffolk etc. and made amongst them Rulers and Captains, of which (according to some Chronologers) one was named Wat Tyler, a second William Waw, a third jack Straw, a fourth jack Shepheard, a fifth Tom Miller, a sixth Hob Carter, but the best and most approved Records style them thus: john, or Walter Tylor, john, or jack Straw, john Kerby, Allen Threader, Thomas Skot, and Ralph Rugg, all of them of that dissolute and desperate condition, that like Herostratus, who set fire of Diana's Temple in Ephesus (which was one of the seven wonders of the world) and burned it down to the ground for no other reason, but that he would be talked of after his death, according to the strict decree of of the Ephesians, (who made it death for  man to speak of her) are not worthy to be named.  
But I proceed in my Discourse, according to the most exact and authentic Chronicle of St. Alban's, which makes this report. The young King in his minority granted a great Tax upon his Subjects both spiritual and temporal, which was called Pole-mony, that is a groat upon every pole or head, which could call themselves man or woman: which coming in very slowly, divers Courtiers about the King desirous to enrich themselves by the goods of the Commons, complained that it was not faithfully gathered by the Collectors, wherefore they offered to pay a great sum of money to farm it of the King, which they would gather over and above that which had been paid, so that by the King they might be sufficiently authorised, who getting Letters to that purpose, sat as Commissioners in divers places of Kent, and Essex, and handled the people very roughly and discourteously, beyond either mercy or conscience, who no doubt if they had proceeded with clemency and humanity, might have prevented those fearful and horrible disasters which after happened, for the Commons took counsel, and they had private conventions amongst themselves and growing to an head made resistance against those exactors rising against them, of which some they slew, others dangerously wounded, and the rest were forced to save themselves by flight.  
Which tumult began first in Kent, and upon this occasion following one of those Collectors of the Groats or Pole-mony, coming to the house of one Wat Tyler, (so called because he was of that Trade, for his sir name is not otherwise remembered) who dwelled at Dartford in Kent, twelve miles from London) and demanded of his wife money for her Husband, herself, and her servant, which she refused not to pay, but the covetous greedy fellow seeing her daughter, a maid scarce 15. years of age in the house, demanded a groat for her also: to whom she modestly replied, that she was but a child, and was not arrived unto that maturity to be reckoned in the number of women: No, saith the Collector, that shall be tried, and taking her up in his arms most uncivilly and dishonestly took up her , and bared her before her mother saying, he would see whether she had any pubes upon her or no; and in many places the like barbarous demeanour had been used: at which the mother hearing her daughter screech out, and seeing how in vain she struggled against him, being therewith grievously offended, she cried out also, and leaving the house run into the street amongst her Neighbours, clamoring about that there was one within that would ravish her daughter: The noise and hubbub grew suddenly so great, that it came to the ear of the Husband, who was then tyling of an house in the Town; who instantly snatching up his Lathingstaffe made what haste he could home, where finding his daughter weeping and perceiving how she had been ruffled by the Collector, demanded of him the reason of his uncivil boldness? who answered him he was a saucy fellow to ask him such a question, he had authority for what he did, neither would be give him any account at all for what had passed; and withal made offer to strike at the Tyler, who avoiding the blow up with his staff, and reached him such a knock upon the pate that he broke his Skull, and the brains flew about the room, which seeing he presently left the house, told the Neighbours what had happened, that his cause was now theirs, at which there was great noise and uproar, they all justifying the act to be good and honest, and that to their best and utmost power, with their lives and goods, they would assist and support him.  
And thus that manyheaded monster, the multitude being drawn together, they tumultuously went from thence unto Maid-stone, and from thence increasing their number, they came back to Black Heath, encouraging all the Country as they passed along, to be partakers with them in their commotion, when besetting all the ways that directed either from London to Canterbury, or from thence to London: They stayed and arrested all Passengers of what degree or condition foever, compelling them to swear; First that they should keep fast and firm their Allegiance to the good King Richard, and to the Commons, and next, if his Majesty should fail, they should accept of no Sovereign whose name was john, which was for the great envy which they bore unto john Duke of Lancaster, and uncle to the King, who by reason of his conquest of Spain, writ himself King of Castille. And further that they should not yield unto any Tax that should be levied in the Kingdom, from thence forward, nor consent unto any unless it were a fifteen.  
The rumour of these bold and presumptuous actions, was quickly spread into Sussex, Essex, Hertford-shire, Cambridge-shire, Suffolk, Norfolk etc. for Fama malum quo non aliud velocius— now when these daily conventions of the Commons increased, and their number was almost grown unto an infinite, so that they thought themselves to be of that strength, that no power was able to resist them; they began now to think of nothing but misdemeanour and misbelief, framing themselves to all the rebellious irregularity that could be devised even unto brutish cruelty.  
For first they proclaimed an Edict, to apprehend all Lawyers, whether Judges, Benchers, Barristers or younger Students, and all Justices of Peace, or grand Jurors, and to cut off their heads, of which they spared none that fell into their hands, neither was there any one, whom they supposed to have any learning at all, if they found but a Pen and Inkhorn about him, upon whom they did not unanimously cry out with this acclamation, Hence away with him, cut off his head.  
The Rebels of Essex having joined themselves with these of Kent, there came certain Noble men, and Knights from the King to them, being then on black Heath, to demand of them the cause of this their unlawful assembly, to whom they saucily and most unreverently made answer: That for certain causes best known to themselves they were come together: but the chiefest was to have some talk with the King, and therefore bade them tell him so, and further if he would come thither in person, they would tell him their grievances, but to none else they would reveal them.  
His Majesty by some who was near about him was counselled because of the present necessity to satisfy their request in that, and by reason it was no further to give unto them a meeting with all speed possible; but Simon Sudbury then Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor, and Robert Hales, of St. john's, Lord high Treasure would by no means admit of their Counsel, affirming that it was not for the King's honour to yield to the desires of such base and refractory Rebels: but rather to take order for the speedy levying of an Army to suppress them: of which the Commons having got Intelligence: they solemnly vowed, and in great fury swore, that they would cut off those Traitor's heads, and to that purpose, they left black Heath, and instantly marched towards London.  
And first they dispersed themselves in Southwark, filling all the places of the Barrough, and the place being not able to contain a tenth part of them, they quartered themselves in the fields, and Country thereabouts; and by reason of the vowed malice and envy that they bore unto the Archbishop, their first Barbarous attempt was to set upon his Palace at Lambeth, which they rifled and spoilt, and wonder it was, in regard of their Brutish fury, that they had not set it on fire, and burned it down to the ground.  
In the interim, the Lord Major, and the Aldermen, fearing also that they would make spoil of the City, called a Counsel amongst themselves, in which many things were debated for their public security, and in the end concluded to shut up their gates, let down their Portcullises, chained their streets, and the Citizens should arm themselves, man the walls, and stand upon their guard. But the Mechanics and meanest sort of people, who always are apt to envy their superiors, and are therefore prone to any Innovation, favouring the cause of the seditious Commons, were so fare from suffering the Major and the Sheriffs to come near unto the gates, and by shutting them to keep the Rebels out, that they insolently opposed them, threatening death to any should attempt it.  
This was the occasion, that all the night following being the Eve before Corpus Christi day, the Rebels had free ingress and egress in and out of the gates, by which they stirred up the Commons of the City, as Artificers, Labourers, and Apprentices to take part with them, and join to their faction, making a fair pretence, that their purpose was only to search out such as were traitors to the King and his Realm, and they being cut off, to make a cessation of Arms, and every one peaceably to retire himself into his own Country.  
This fair pretence wrought much in the hearts of the giddy multitude, and the rather because notwithstanding their great number, which was difficultly to be guided they offered violence neither to man nor woman neither took any commodity from them, but at a just and competent price; for whomsoever of their own society they found either pillidging or stealing, they used Martial Law, and commanded his head instantly to be smitten off: The morrow after they had communication with divers of the most substantial Commons of the City to whom if they would adhere unto them, and take part with them, they promised absolute freedom and liberty: insomuch that the most or all of the meaner sort, were suddenly drawn into their conspiracy: for joy whereof they were admitted into the Vintners and Merchants Cellars, where they quaffed and drank together Healths by no allowance, with which Licence not being acquainted, it so wrought within them, that some were merry, others mad: a motion was made to go instantly to the Savoy, which then was the Palace, and domestic dwelling of the Duke of Lancaster, a place for the rich furniture thereto belonging, through the whole Kingdom was not to be paralleled) and either to burn it, or raze it down to the earth; for he being an excellent and worthy Prince, their malice towards him was implacable.  
Thither they tumultuously hurried in heaps, and setting fire in divers places thereof made it suddenly all in a flame, and to give the greater coour to their insolence, caused Proclamation to be made, that that was done was not to their own use or proper ends, for no man upon pain of death should reserve any thing, but that all plate and vessels of Silver and gold, or jewels which were there in abundance should be battered, defaced, and broken into small pieces and cast into the river, which was accordingly performed, but as our Author writeth, one of the Rebels contrary to the Proclamation took a silver Plate, and hide it in his bosom, which being espied by one of his fellow Rascals, he made it known to the rest, who instantly laid hold upon him, and without further examination or Trial, cast him into the fire with the Plate, with this loud acclamation, We are the maintainers of Truth and justiec and are neither Thiefs nor robbers.  
It is further remarkable, that some of these robbers, to the number of two or three and thirty had got into a Cellar of the same house, where they drank so much sweet and pleasant wine, that they could not find the way out again in any seasonable time, but with the ruins of the house were so barricadoed in with Timber, rubbish and stone, that they were heard crying and calling for help and secure seven days after, where they perished, all being or not able, or not willing to relieve them.  
This exploit being over, they again assembled and broke open a place which was called the new Temple at the bar, which was a place for Lawyers, and quite demolished it for no other reason, but the hate which they bore to Sir, Robert Hails, Master of St. John's Hospital, unto which place that of St. john's of the Temple belonged. There many writings and Monuments which were then in the custody of the Lawyers were destroyed by fire: after the ruin of this place, many through weariness, and others over-laded with wine, lay down under the walls and stalls there a bouts, where some were slain by those on whom they had committed such outrages, and some killed one another upon that advantage for ancient and former grudges.  
In the interim whilst these things were in action, another dangerou troop had gathered themselves together to set fire on the Palace of S. john's in Clarkenwell, which was seen to burn seven days together, they not suffering any man to lay a helping hand to quench it, on the Friday after they burned the manor of Highbury, the multitude of the Commons being at that time divided into three several bands, of which division one part was employed in the burning of Highbury and other places belonging to the Prior of St. john's. A second Company lay at Mile-End East of the City, A third lodged themselves upon the Tower-hill, to intercept all such Victual as was for the King's provision, whilst they on Mile-end sent a bold and peremptory message to the King to make his personal appearance before them, and that too all delays and excuses set apart unarmed, and without any guard or power to attend him, which if he should deny to do, they would not only pluck down the Tower upon his head, but neither he, nor any of his Attendants should departed alive. Observe herein what rebellion is, and to what impudence it grows, when those that are the Actors therein transgress all the bounds of Religion and reason, but it followeth (for so the Chronicle relates) that his Majesty advised by some few that were at that time about him, with a small train, and those altogether unarmed went towards them, (no doubt in great fear) riding on horseback. The gates of the Tower standing open, and a great many of the rascal rabble entering and returning at their own wills and pleasures.  
Here is another thing worthy of note to all Posterity, but especially to the braver spirits of our own Nation, that there were at the same instant, six hundred Armed men reputed valiant and expert in Arms, besides six hundred able Archers, who all this time hanging down their heads, were mute and stood amazed. They being appointed to guard the sacred person of the King who suffered those pesantly rustics void of all manners or humanity to enter his Highness' privy Bedchamber, and the Queen Dowager his mothers, with their weapons in their hands, and yet against them, made at all no resistance N: ay saw them there to play the impudent wantoness by lying and sporting on his Highness own bed, and further in their homely and base accoutrement, most saucily to offer to ruffle and kiss the mother queen, whilst they stood patiently by & sufred it, had these things been reported to have been done in any other Foreign Countries, as we should have thought them altogether incredible, but they are related by our own Domostick Chronologer.  
Whilst these things were in agitation, some of this rude rabble made strict inquiry for the Archbishop, and some searching one place, and some another, and not finding him, at length finding one of his servants, with incredible fury they threatened unto him present death, unless he would bring them to his Lord and Master, whom they most unreverently called by their own name Rebel and traitor.  
This groom fearing his life, and therefore not any way daring to contradict or to displease them, presently conducted them to the Chapel in the King's Lodgings, where after mass had been said and sang, the Reverend Prelate was then busy in his private Orisons, for having received the Sacrament, and ignorant either of their coming or purpose, he had the night before confessed himself to his Ghostly Father (for such was the custom in those days) who when he heard that they were come, and had broke open some doors against him, with a noble and Christianlike constancy said to those few of his retinue who at that time attended him. The enemy is now come, let us go and boldly meet him, for seeing things stand as they now do, it is much better for us to die like Martyrs, then to live, being reported no better than Malefactors.  
At which word the Rebels entered with this clamour, where is this Traitor to the King and commonwealth? To which he answered, Lo I am the man you seek, the Archbishop but no Traitor, where presently they laid rude and violent hands upon his Sacred person, and dragging him out of the Chapel, drew him from the Tower, to the Tower hill, where being compassed and enclosed with their swords and weapons advanced, he appeared no way discouraged or daunted, but with a Martyr-like constancy uttered these words following.  
Resolve me, my dear brethren, what you purpose to do, what is my offence against you or any man for which you purpose to shed mine innocent blood, it were good for you to advise before you take away my life, for if I be thus undeservedly slain, who am your Pastor, there must consequently fall upon you, the great indignation of the just Revenger, besides for such an heinous fact, all the whole shall be interdicted: scarce had he ended those few words before they cried out with an horrible clamour that the men there feared nor cared for any interdiction, nor would they allow the Pope to have any power or Supremacy over them: the Archbishop seeing his inevitable death before him (being an eloquent man, and wise, beyond most of the Kingdom) gave unto them very fair and comfortable words, desisiring them only to give some short space to pray for his soul's health, and then he would submit himself to their utmost cruelty, which being scarcely granted, he forgave the Executioner and kneeling down offered his head to be smitten off by the headsman.  
The first stroke made a great wound in his neck, but was not mortal, when the Archbishop putting his hand to the place uttered these words, Aha, it is the hand of God, nor could he so soon remove his hand but at the second blow he wounded him deeper and cut off the ends of his fingers, at which he fell grovelling, but was still alive, till being piteously mangled by eight several blows he gave up his last breath into his hands from whom he first received it, all that day his body lay unburied, and till the morrow being Saturday none daring to afford it at any burial, but took his head and nailing his head upon it fixed it on a Pole, and set it upon London Bridge in the same place where before was fixed the head of Sir john Minster-worth.  
This reverend Arch Bishop Simon Tibald, Alias Sandbury, son to Nicholas Tibald borne in Sudbury, a town in Norfolk, Doctor of both Laws, had been eighteen year's Bishop of London, who was cruelly murdered, and his body after borne to Canterbury, and buried in the Cathedral Church: There died with him a most valiant Knight called Sir Robert Hails, Lord of St. john's, and Treasurer of England with john Legat, one of the King's Sergeants at Arms, and with them a Friar of the Order of St. Frances, whose name was William Axpledore, and was at that time Confessor to the King. There was executed also by the Brutish tyranny of these Rebels, one Richard Lions, an exquisite Lapidary, and a Goldsmith, who had been some few years before Sheriff of the City of London, who was most inhumainly drawn out of his own house into Cheap side, and there beheaded.  
Many the same day had their heads cut off, as well Flemings as English and for no other cause, but only to fulfil the madness of the barbarous Commons, for they spared no men who were not of their diabolcall faction, but they cut off their heads, saying, they cared not whether they sent them, to God, or to the Devil: All sacred places they hold in contempt, as such as they had never been acquainted with, for even in the Temples, and at the time of divine Service, they did not forbear to kill and murder any man to whom they had any spleen or malice: But especially their envy was to the Dutch, whom they termed by the general name of Flemings, who as they supposed sucked the very moisture and marrow of the Kingdom, and therefore out of the Augustine Friars Church in London, they fetched thirteen Flemings, and out of another Church, (not named in the Chronicle) to the number of seventeen, and thirty two out of the Vine-tree, and so out of other places of the City, as also Southwark, whose heads they struck off without any mercy, unless they could plainly pronounce Breed and Cheese, for if their speech sounded any way towards Brott and cause, off went their heads without redemption, etc.  
But I lest the King at Mile-end, it is most pertinent to the History that I give you account how he sped there; thus therefore it followeth: His Majesty riding thither rather commanded then invited, was in a great strait and fear withal, when he cast his eye upon such a multitude of unruly Rascals, who with supercilious fronts gave him an unmannerly salute, he there from fashioned himself to the necessity of present and demanded of them what they desired? who delivered unto him a writing, which they said they would have him confirm by his Letters Patent, the effect of part of their demands were these.  
First, that all men in the Kingdom whatsoever, should be free from servitude and bondage, so as from that time there should be no bondmen at all, or to hold any Tenure in villanage etc.  
Secondly, that he should grant his free and general pardon to all men of what estate soever, of all manner of Actions, or insurrections committed, and all Rebellion, Treason, Fellonics, Extortions, Robberies, traingressions by any of them done, and further that their peace might be so confirmed, that thereafter their former insolences might not be called in question, etc.  
Thirdly, that all persons from time forward might be enfranchised, and have free liberty to buy and sell in every Country, City, Borough Town, Fair, or Market or otherwise within the Realm of England, etc.  
Fourthly, that no Acres of Land held in service or bondage, should be held but for some pence the Acre, and if it had gone for less in former time, it should not thereafter be enhanced: These and many other things they required, to be confirmed by his Majesty, telling him boldly withal, that he had evilly governed till that day, and that they would take order that from that time forward be should be better counselled.  
The King perceiving by their sudden four countenances, that unless he granted punctually to every of their demands, (though never so unreasonable) his person was in great danger, being by them round mvironed, and therefore no possible means of his escape sealed to their writings; and desiring Truce for some small time departed thence without any violence done unto his person; and the Essex men returned home peaceably into their Country.  
On the morrow being Saturday, and the fifteenth or June, the King after dinner, went from the Wardrobe in the Royal which is in London, to Westminster, to visit the shrine of St. Edward King and Confessor, and withal to see whether upon it they had committed any outrage by defacing it: Then went he to the Chapel called our Lady in the Piew, where after he had offered up his Orisons he returned by the Suburbs of West Smithfield, where he found the place thronged with the Kentish Rebels, wherefore he sent to their Captain to inform them, that he had pacified their fellows the Essex men, who had abandoned Mile-end, and were peaceably departed homeward, and that he was pleased in his gracious clemency to grant unto them the like conditions of peace; and superscribe to the same Articles if they pleased to accept of them.  
But their chief Captain whom some call john, but the best Chronologers call Walter Hiliard, Alias Tyler, being of a subtle and crafty condition, and wickedly witty made answer, that though he had then the power in his hands, yet he was willing to listen unto peace but only thus, with some particular conditions added to his own approbation and liking, his purpose being to feed the King and the Nobility with delays, till he had compassed his diabolical purpose, whose plot was first the same night to have surprised the King, and all those Peers which then attended him, Courtiers and others, and then to have spoilt the City, and then to have burnt it to the earth, by setting fire in four parts thereof at once.  
But the Providence of Heaven, who always favoureth and protecteth Justice and innocence, diverted his mischief which he intended against others, & poured it on his own head, as shall appear by the sequel. For whereas the conditions of peace were engrossed in their several Charters, and thrice sent unto him by the King not any of them seemed to please him, therefore his Majesty sent unto him a Knight, Sir john Newton, a man both of great courage and discretion not to command, but to entreat him, as from the King his Sovereign (for his great insolence and pride was known to all) that he would vouchsafe to come and speak with him about his own demands, which should be inserted into his Charter: of which demands▪ by this one which I will set down, it may manifestly appear, how uncharitable how unchristianlike all the rest were.  
First, he desired to have a Commission sealed, to behead all Lawyers, of what degree soever, from the highest to the lowest; all Escheaters, or whatsoever by reason of their office communicated with the Law. For his apprehension was, and if this could be compassed, all affairs should be ordered according to the fancy of the Commons, and to change the Monarchy into an Anarchy: For (it is said) that but the day before he had made his boast, putting his hand to his lips that before four days were come about, all the Laws of England should proceed from his own mouth.  
Now whilst the Knight importuned him for dispatch, that he might return his answer to the King his Master, he contracted his brow, and in great rage replied: If thou be'st so hasty, go get thee back unto him, and say; I will come unto him at mine own pleasure and leisure. Notwithstanding which, he followed on horseback with a stately and slow pace, casting his eyes about him (as he road) as glorying in the multitude, and that he had been the Prince of all that people. In his way he was encountered by a Doublet-maker, who had delivered in threescore doublets to the chief of the Commons by his appointment and demanded for them thirty marks, to whom the Captain made answer; Friend content thyself for a while, I will see thee well and fully satisfied before this day be fully ended.  
He then set forward, leaving his company behind'him, and came so near unto the King, that his horse brushed against the King's horses crupper, and the first words he spoke unto him were these; Sir King, seest thou all you people? Yes, answered the but wheresore dost thou ask me that question? Because (replied he) they be all at my commandment▪ and have sworn to me their faith and obedience, to do all things what soever I shall impose on them. In good time, answered the King, I believe it well. Then said the Rebel, Believest thou King, that this people, and as many more as be in this City at my command and service, will departed from thee thus without thy Charters? No, said the King▪ you shall willingly receive them, and they shall be presently delivered unto you.   Soldiers armed with pikes look on as Sir William Walworth, Lord Mayor of London, strikes Wat Tyler on the head with a ceremonial mace. Commoners, armed with pitchforks, walk away. 
In this Interim the Lord Mayor, for his last noble and memorable enterprise, worthy to be eternised, to second his former pecce of service, sped him instantly into the City, and cried out aloud; You good and faithful Citizens, arm yourselves with all speed possible, and help to assist your King and Sovereign, who is in great peril to be slain; and aid me your Major and Governor who am in the danger, or if you will not suffer me, yet leave not his select Majesty destitute.  
Which when the well-minded citizens heard in whose loyal breast the love of their King was engraven, they presently to the number of a thousand armed themselves, and stayed in the streets attending for some Captain to order them, and lead them towards the King, at which instant came to them a noble Knight and a Soldier, who was also a freeman of the City: him they entreated to take upon him that charge, to which he willingly and most cheerfully assented, the greatest part of them were under his conduct, the rest were commanded by the Lord Major, one Preducus Dalbret, and some other Knight in the story not named. These with this aid presented themselves before the King, who greatly rejoicing in the faith and loyalty of his armed Citizens, presently with these fresh forces compassed the Rebels about.  
Now there appeared (by God's wonderful goodness) a sudden and unexpected alteration, for the seditious Commons who but some few minutes before stood upon such peremptory and proud terms with the King himself, finding themselves thus environed, fling down their weapons at once, and with a loud unanimous voice cried pardon, pardon; such as could escape out of the Ring fled, and hid themselves, some in Cellars, others in the Corn fields, Woods and Ditches, etc. They being now at the King's mercy, the Lords and the rest about desirous to take some vengeance of their former insolency, besought his Majesty that for example sake he would command some hundred or two of their heads to be strunk off, to whose request he would no way condescend, but gave order that their Charter which was sealed should be delivered unto them, which was to prevent a new Insurrection, as knowing, that Essex was not yet altogether pacified nor Kent quieted. The Commons having gotten their Charter, and much taken with the King's extraordinary and unexpected mercy, they left both City and Suburbs, and departed homeward; when the King calling the Lord Major before him he Knighted him in the Field, as he had most worthily deserved: The like he did to Nicholas Brember, john Philpot, Robert Lawnd, john Standish, Nicholas Twisord, and Adam Frances Aldermen, and after entered the City in great state, where he was joyfully received from thence, he went to visit his Mother, who was at that time lodged in the Tower Royal, in a part thereof called the Queen's Wardrobe, where she had remained for the space of two days and two nights, the time of this combustion, much bewailing and lamenting her Sons imminent danger, whom when she saw to return safe she was greatly comforted, and with tears of joy said: O my dear Son, what sorrows have I suffered for you even to this hour? who answered again, Certainly Madam, I knew it well but now rejoice, and praise God with me, for I have this day recovered mine Heritage, and the Realm of England, which I had almost lost: Then he gave present Commandments, that the Arch-Bishops head should be taken from off the Bridge, and Wat Tilers to be set in the place.  
His Majesty further in remembrance of this joyful day, and for the City's greater honour, who next under God were his sole deliverers granted, that in regard that worthy William Walworth the Lord Major had stain that dangerous Rebel with a Dagger, a bloody Dagger should therefore be added unto the Arms of the City, and to be placed in the right quarter of the Escutchion as an addition to the Arms, and to celebrate the memory of a Lord Majors valiant act, for before that time the City bore only a Cross without a Dagger.  
And where it hath been vulgarly bruited, that the Rebel whom Sir William Walworth flew was not Wat Tyler, but jack Straw, that doubt is thus easily reconciled; for jack Straw was not taken till after the death of Wat Tyler, being then apprehended with divers others the chief of that horrible sedition, who being brought into the Guild-hall where the Lord Major sat in Judgement, having pronounced the Sentence of death upon them; he openly spoke to jack Straw as followeth:  
John behold thy Sentence is past, and thine unavoidable death at hand, for thou hast not many hours to live; wherefore I entreat thee, since there is no way to save thy body, that for thy soul's health thou wilt now without extenuating thy grievous fault which is inexcusable▪ that thou betwixt God and thy Conscience resolve this Honourable Bench, what the utmost of your purpose was, and to what end you so mutinously assembled the Commons: who making a sad pause to this demand, The Lord Major again thus seconded it; I speak to thee as to a dying man, who now ought to study for the peace of thy soul, and not dissemble at all either with God, or man: at which words recollecting his spirits, he returned this answer following:  
Now I confess in vain it booteth me not either to lie, or make any delatory or evasive excuse, understanding that if I should so do, I might endanger my soul unto the greater torments; and besides, I hope to obtain two benefits by speaking truth: First, that I thereby may somewhat benefit the Commonweal in the future▪ and next according to your promises, I hope to be assisted by your prayers, that God would be merciful unto my soul. And therefore thus I deliver unto you my conscience faithfully, and without deceit.  
Being assembled upon black Heath, at that time when we sent for the King to come unto us, our resolution was, to have slain all the Nobles, Knights, and Esquires about him, and to have taken him into our own custody, to the intent that the people might have repaired unto us with more boldness, and less fear; since we would have made them to believe, that whatsoever we did was by his Majesty's Authority: And next when we had got such power that we needed not to be afraid of any other forces which might be raised in the Kingdom, our purpose was then to have slain all such of the Nobility, as might either have given Counsel, or made any resistance against us. But more in particular, we would have massacred all the Knights of the Rhodes, and St. john's Knights, or burned their houses over their ears: And lastly, we would have slain the King himself, and all Gentlemen of any revenue throughout the Kingdom, with all Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Monks, Canons, and Parsons of Churches, reserving only some few Mendicants or begging Friars, they being sufficiently able for saying Mass, and the administration of the Sacraments.  
And having made a clear riddance of all those unnecessary Members of the Commonweal (for so at that time it pleased us to call them) we would have abrogated the old Laws, and devised new according to our own fancies; by which the whole Realm should be governed, for we had determined to have divided the Kingdom, and to have made Kings amongst ourselves, as Wat Tyler in Kent, myself in Essex, and others in other places: but by reason that these our designs were prevented by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who dissuaded the King from coming amongst us, we vowed by all means to insidiate his life, and to dispatch him out of the way, which we did after: And further, the self same evening that Wat Tyler was slain in Smithfield, we resolutely determined, (having the greatest part of the Commons of the City bent to assist us in the Act) to set fire in four several parts of the same at once, and to have divided the spoil amongst us: and this saith he, was our resolved purpose, and concluded on by all, as God may help me now at my last end. After this Confession made, he with many others of his late faction, were lead unto the place of Execution, whose heads being struck off, his was put upon a pole and set upon the Bridge next unto Wat Tilers.  
Here I might enter into a large discourse of the horridness of Rebellion; as that of Ireland, whose distressed estate is very lamentable, whose rebellion and outrages I hope will be considered, and they speedily (by the permission of the Almighty) receive their just rewards. Rebellion can no way be better illustrated then by the sad and lamentable effects expressed in the premises: I will therefore conclude with that of the Prophet Samuel, Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and Transgression is wickedness and Idolatry.  

The Ghost of jack Straw.  
I That did Act on Smithfields bloody stage,  
In second Richard's young and tender age;  
And there received from Walworth's fatal hand  
The stab of death, which life did countermand;  
And made an equal to the Tragedy  
Of Leyden, a Dutch Tailor's villainy:  
Not that I ere consorted with that slave,  
My Rascal rout you in this Story have:  
But that in name and nature we agree,  
An English Tailor I, Dutch Rebel he;  
In my Consort, I had the Priest john Ball,  
Mynter the Clerk, unto his share did fall.  
He, to have all things common did intent,  
And my Rebellion was to such an end:  
Even in a word, we both were like appointed▪  
To take away the sword from Gods Anointed;  
And for examples to the World's last day,  
Our Traitor's name shall never wear away;  
The fearful paths that he and I have trod,  
Have been accursed in the sight of God.  
Here in this Register, who ere doth look  
(Which may be rightly called The Bloody Book)  
Shall see how base and rude these villains be,  
That do attempt like Leyden, plot like me:  
And now the Devil in whose name they're gone,  
Pays them Hells wages, when their work is done;  
Treason is bloody, blood thereon attends,  
Traitors are bloody, and have bloody ends.  

* Meaning the Irish Rebels.  To you, my brother Rebels in like kind,  
That do usurp authority, you'll find  
The same reward which we shall feel too soon,  
A horrid Conscience at the day of Doom:  
Which to avoid let this my Ghost entreat,  
Yes love your King, fear Heaven's Tribunal Seat;  
So shall your souls without disturbance rest,  
Till Christ shall come to make you fully blest.   
FINIS.