Certaine Sports and Paſtimes. Certaine of the Kings ſervants, becauſe the Court lay then at Weſtminſter, came,The kings ſervants deriding the Citizens, were ſore beatē, but the Citizens were fined by the King. as it were, in deſpight of the Citizens, to that game, and giving reprochfull names to the Londoners, which for the dignity of the Citie, and the ancient priviledge which they ought to have enjoyed, were called Barons: the said Londoners being wrongfully abuſed, fell upon the Kings ſervants, and beat them ſhrewdly, ſo that upon complaint made to the King, he fined the Citie to pay a thouſand Markes. This exerciſe of running at the Quinten, was practiſed by the youthfull Citizens, aſwel in ſummer as in winter; namely, in the feaſt of Chriſtmas. I have ſeene a Quinten ſet upon Cornhill, Quinten upon Cornhill. by the Leaden Hall, where the attendants of the Lords of merry diſports have runne, and made great paſtime: for he that hit not the broad end of the Quinten, was of all men laughed to ſcorne; and he that hit it full, if hee rode nor the faſter, had a ſound blow in his necke with a bag full of ſand, hanged on the other end.

I have alſo in the Summer ſeaſon, ſeene ſome upon the River of Thames, Running with ſtaves on the Thames. rowed in Whirries, with ſtaves in their hands, flat at the fore-end, running one againſt another, and for the moſt part, one or both overthrowne, and well dowked.

On the Holy-dayes in Summer,Leaping, dancing, ſhooting, wreſtling. the Youths of this Citie have in the Field exerciſed themſelves, in leaping, dancing, ſhooting, wreſtling, caſting of the ſtone or ball, &c.

And for defence and uſe of the Weapon, there is a ſpeciall profeſſion of men that teach it.Mat. Paris. I reade that in the yeere 1222. and the 6. of King Henry the 3. on Saint Iames day, the Citizens of London kept games of defence and wreſtling, neere to the Hoſpitall of Matilda, at S. Giles in the field, where they got the maſtery of the men of the Suburbs.

The Bailiffe of Weſtminſter deviſing to be revenged,A game at VVeſtminſter on Lammas day. proclaimed a game to be at Westminster upon Lammas day: whereunto the Citizens willingly repaired.

When they had played a while, the Bailiffe, with the men of the Suburbs, harneſſed themſelves treacherouſly, and fell to ſuch fighting, that the Citizens (being ſore wounded) were forced to runne into the Citie, where they rung the common Bell, and aſſembled the Citizens in great number. When the matter was declared, every man wiſhed to revenge the fact:The advice of the L. Maior. but the Lord Maior of the Citie, being a wiſe and quiet man, willed them firſt to move the Abbot of Weſtminster in the matter, and if he would promiſe to ſee amends made, it was ſufficient.The bad counſel of Conſtantine Fitz Arnulit as bad followed. But a certaine Citizen, named Conſtantine Fitz Arnulit, willed, that all the houſes of the Abbot and Bailiffe ſhould be pulled downe. Which deſperate words were no ſooner ſpoken, but the common people (as unadviſedly) iſſued forth of the Citie without any order, and fought a cruell battell, Conſtantine pulling downe divers houſes; and the people (as praiſing Conſtantine) cryed; The joy of the Mountaine, the joy of the Mountaine; God help, and the Lord Lodowike.

A few dayes after this tumult, the Abbot of Weſtminſter came to London, Chron. Don. The Abbot of VVeſtminſt. put to his ſhifts. to Philip Dawbeney, one of the kings Councell, to complaine of the injuries done to him: the Londoners perceiving it, beſet the houſe about, and tooke by violence twelve of the Abbots horſes away, cruelly beating his men, &c.

But whileſt the ſaid Dawbeney laboured to pacifie the vprore, the Abbot got out at the backe doore of the houſe, and ſo, by a Boat on the Thames, hardly eſcaped, the Citizens throwing ſtones after him in great abundance.

Theſe things being thus done,The Lord chiefe Iuſtice entred the Citie of London with an Army. Hubert de Burge, chiefe Iuſtice of England, with a great Army of men, came to the Tower of London, and ſent for the Maior and Aldermen, of whom hee enquired for the principall Authors of this Faction. Conſtantine, being conſtant in the sedition, was more conſtant in the anſwer; affirming, that hee had done it, and that he had done much leſſe than hee meant to have done.

The Juſtice tooke him, and two other with him, and that morning ſent him to Faulcatius by water, with a great number of armed men, who brought Conſtantine to the Gallowes.

But when he ſaw the Rope about his necke, Conſtantine and other hanged. hee offered for his life fifteene thouſand Markes, yet it would H3not Sports and Paſtimes. not ſeeme to ſave him: ſo he was hanged, with Conſtantine his Nephew, and Galfrid that proclaimed his proclamation, on the 16. of Auguſt.

Alſo in the yeere 1453. of a tumult made againſt the Maior,Games of defence. at the wreſtling beſides Clerks well, &c. Which is ſufficient to prove, that (of old time) the exerciſing of wreſtling, and ſuch like, hath beene much more uſed than of latter yeeres.

The youths of this Citie alſo have uſed, on holidayes, after Evening Prayer, Playing at the Bucklers. at their Maſters doores, to exerciſe their Waſters and Bucklers: and the Maidens, one of them playing on a Timbrell,Dancing for Garlands in the ſtreets in ſight of their Maſters and Dames, to dance for Garlands, hanged thwart the ſtreets, which open paſtimes in my youth, being now ſuppreſſed, worſer practices within doores are to be feared.

As for the baiting of Buls and Beares, they are till this day much frequented, namely in Beare-gardens on the Bankeſide, Beare and Bull baiting. wherein be prepared ſcaffolds for beholders to ſtand upon.

Sliding on the Ice is now but childrens play: but in Hawking and Hunting many grave Citizens at this preſent have great delight, and doe rather want leaſure than goodwill to follow it.

Of triumphant ſhews made by the Citizens of Lond. Mat. Paris. ye may read in the yeere 1236. the twentieth of Henry the third,Shewes for triumphs. Andrew Bockrell then being Maior, how Elianor, daughter to Reymond, Earle of Provence, riding thorow the Citie toward Weſtminſter, there to be crowned Queene of England, the Citie was adorned with ſilkes, and in the night with Lamps, Creſſets, and other lights, without number, beſides many Pageants, and ſtrange devices there preſented; the Citizens alſo rode to meet the King and Queene,The Citizens rode. clothed in long garments embroydered about with gold,Imbroidered garments. and ſilkes of divers colours, their horſes gallantly, trapped, to the number of 306. every manbearing a Cup of gold or ſilver in his hand, and the Kings Trumpetters before them: Theſe Citizens did miniſter Wine, as Buttlers, which is their ſervice at the Coronation.

More, in the yeere 1298. for victory obtained by Edward the firſt againſt the Scots, every Company, according to their ſeverall Trade, made their ſeverall ſhew:Fiſhmongers Proceſſion for triumph of victory, more than 1000. horſmen. but ſpecially the Fiſhmongers, which in a ſolemne Proceſſion paſſed thorow the Citie, having amongſt other Pageants and ſhewes, foure Sturgeons gilt, carried on foure horſes; then, foure Salmons of ſilver, on foure horſes, and after them ſixe and forty armed Knights, riding on horſes, made like Luces of the Sea, and then one preſenting Saint Magnes, becauſe it was upon Saint Magnes day, with a thouſand horſemen, &c.

One other ſhew in the yeere 1377. made by the Citizens for diſport of the yong Prince Richard, ſonne to the black Prince, in the Feaſt of Chriſtmas, and in this manner:

On the Sunday before Candlemas, A ſhew by Torchlight, being a Mummery of more than 100: men on horſeback in the night, one hundred and thirty Citizens, diſguiſed and well horſed, in a Mummery, with ſound of Trumpets, Sackbuts, Cornets, Shalmes, and other Minſtrels, and innumerable Torchlights of Wax, rode from Newgate thorow Cheap, over the Bridge, through Southwarke, and ſo to Kennington beſides Lambeth, where the yong Prince remained with his Mother, and the Duke of Lancaſter, his Vncle, the Earles of Cambridge, Hertford, Warwicke, and Suffolke, with divers other Lords.

In the firſt ranke did ride 48. in the likeneſſe and habit of Eſquires, two and two together, clothed in red coats, and gownes of Say or Sendall, with comely vizors one their faces.

After them came riding 48. Knights, in the ſame Livery of colour and ſtuffe.

Then followed one richly arrayed, like an Emperour; and after him ſome diſtance, one ſtately tyred like a Pope, who was followed by 24. Cardinals: and after them eight or ten with blacke vizors, not amiable, as if they had been Legates from ſome forraigne Princes.

Theſe Maskers, after they had entred the Mannor of Kennington, alighted from their horſes: and entred the Hall on foot; which done, the Prince, his Mother, and the Lords came out of the chamber into the hall, whom the Mummers did ſalute: ſhewing by a paire of Dice on the Table, their deſire to play with the yong Prince: which they ſo handled, Sports and Paſtimes. handled, that the Prince did alwaies winne when he caſt at them.

Then the Mummers ſet to the Prince three Jewels,The Prince did win three Iewels of the Maſkers. one after another; which were, a Boule of gold, a Cup of gold, and a Ring of gold, which the Prince wanne at three caſts.

Then they ſet to the Princes Mother, the Duke, the Earles, and other Lords, to every one a Ring of gold, which they did alſo winne. After which they were feaſted, and the Muſicke ſounded, the Prince and Lords danced on the one part with the Mummers, who did alſo dance: which jollity being ended, they were againe made to drinke, and then departed in order as they came.

The like was to Henry the fourth, in the ſecond of his reign, he then keeping his Chriſtmas at Eltham, twelve Aldermen of London, and their ſonnes, rode in a mumming, and had great thanks.

Thus much for ſportfull ſhewes in Triumphes may ſuffice.

Now for ſports and paſtimes yeerely uſed.

Firſt, in the Feaſt of Chriſtmas, there was in the Kings houſe, whereſoever he was lodged,Lord of Miſrule at Chriſtmas a Lord of Miſrule, or Maſter of merry diſports, and the like had ye in the houſe of every Nobleman of honour, or good worſhip, were he ſpirituall or temporall. Among the which, The Maior of London, and either of the Sheriffes had their ſeverall Lords of miſrule, ever contending, without quarell or offence, who ſhould make the rareſt paſtimes to delight the beholders. Theſe Lords beginning their rule at Alhallon Eve, continued the ſame till the morrow after the Feaſt of the Purification, commonly called Candlemas day: In all which ſpace, there were fine and ſubtill diſguiſings, Maskes and Mummeries, with playing at Cards for counters, nayles and points in every houſe, more for paſtime than for gaine.

Againſt the Feaſt of Chriſtmas, every mans houſe, as alſo their Pariſh Churches, were decked with Holme, Ivie, Bayes, and whatſoever the ſeaſon of the yeere affoorded to be greene: The conduits and ſtandards in the ſtreets were likewiſe garniſhed. Among the which, I read, that in the yeere 1444. by tempeſt of thunder and lightning, on the firſt of February at night,Tempeſts of lightning and thunder fired Paulsſteeple, overthrew the ſtandard at Leaden hall, and threw ſtones of the payement into mens houſes. Pauls ſteeple was fired, but with great labour quenched: and toward the morning of Candlemas day, at the Leaden Hall in Cornhill, a Standard of tree being ſet up in the midſt of the pavement, faſt in the ground, nayled full of Holme and Ivie, for diſport of Chriſtmas to the people; was torne up, and caſt downe by the malignant Spirit (as was thought) and the ſtones of the pavement all about, were caſt in the ſtreets, and into divers houſes, so that the people were ſore agaſt at the great tempeſts.

In the weeke before Eaſter, Twiſted trees ſet from the woods. had yee great ſhewes made, for the fetching in of a twiſted Tree, or With, as they termed it, out of the woods, into the kings houſe, and the like into every mans houſe of Honour or Worſhip.

In the Moneth of May, May games namely on May day in the morning, every man, except impediment, would walke into the ſweet Meddowes and green woods, there to rejoyce their ſpirits with the beauty and ſavour of ſweet Flowers, and with the harmonie of Birdes, praiſing God in their kinde. And for example hereof,Edward Hall. Edward Hall hath noted, that King Henry the eighth, as in the third of his reigne, and divers other yeeres, ſo namely in the ſeventh of his reigne, on May day in the morning, with Queene Katharine his wife, accompanied with many Lords and Ladies, rode a Maying from Greenwich to the high ground of Shooters-hill: where as they paſſed by the way, they eſpyed a company of tall Yeomen, clothed all in greene, with greene hoods, and with bowes and arrowes, to the number of 200. One, being their Chieftaine, Robin Hood and his men ſhot before the King. was called Robin Hood, who required the King and all his company to ſtay and ſee his men ſhoot: whereunto the King granting, Robin Hood whiſtled, and all the 200. Archers ſhot off, looſing all at once; and when he whiſtled againe, they likewiſe ſhot againe: their Arrowes whiſtled by craft of the head, ſo that the noiſe was ſtrange and loud, which greatly delighted the King, Queene, and their company.

Moreouer, this Robin Hood deſired the King and Queene, with their retinue, to enter the greene Wood, where, in Arbours made with boughes, and deckt with Sports and Paſtimes. with flowers, they were ſet and ſerved plentifully with venison and wine, by Robin Hood and his meyny, to their great contentment, and had other Pageants and Paſtimes, as yee may read in my ſaid Author.

I find alſo, that in the month of May, the Citizens of London (of all eſtates) lightly in every Pariſh, or ſometime two or three Pariſhes joyning together, had their ſeverall Maynings, and did fetch in May-poles, with divers warlike ſhewes, with good Archers, Morice-dancers, and other devices for paStime all the day long; and towards the evening, they had ſtage-plaies, and Bonefires in the ſtreets.

Of theſe Mayings, we read in the reign of Henry the ſixth, that the Aldermen and Sheriffes of London, being on May day at the Biſhop of Londons Wood in the Pariſh of Stebunheath, Biſhops Wood. and having there a worſhipfull dinner for themſelves and other commers,Biſhops Hall by Blethenhall green. Lydgate the the Poet, that was a Monk of Bury, ſent to them by a Purſivant a joyfull commendation of that ſeaſen, containing ſixteene ſaves in meeter Royall, beginning thus:

About the ninth yeere of the reigne of King Henry the eight, a great he artburning and malicious grudge grew amongſt the Engliſhmen of the City of London, againſt ſtrangers: and namely, the Artificers found themſelves much agrieved; The number of ſtrangers in London miſliked. becauſe ſuch number of ſtrangers were permitted, to reſort hither with their Wares, and to exerciſe Handicrafts, to the great hinderance and impoveriſhing of the Kings Liege people. Which malice grew to ſuch a point that one Iohn Lincolne a Broker, Iohn Lincolne a Broker beginner of the inſurrection buſied himſelfe ſo farre in the matter, that about Palme Sunday, or the fift of April, he came to one Doctor Henry Standiſh, with theſe words; Sir, I underſtand, that you ſhall preach at the Spittle on Munday in Eaſter-weeke, and ſo it is, that Engliſh men, both Merchants and other, are undone by ſtangers, who have more liberty in this Land than they, which is againſt reaſon, and alſo againſt the Common-weale of this Realme: I beſeech you therefore,A bill offered by Lincolne to Doctor Standiſh. to declare this in your ſermon, and in ſo doing, you ſhall deſerve great thanks of my Lord Maior, and of all his Brethren. And herewith he offered unto the ſaid Doctor a bill, containing the matter more at large. But Doctor Standiſh wiſely conſidering, that there might more inconvenience ariſe thereof, than he would wiſh, if he ſhould deale in ſuch a ſort: both refuſed the bill, and told Lincolne plainely, that he meant not to meddle with any ſuch matter in his Sermon.

Whereupon, the ſaid Lincolne went unto one Doctor Bell, a Canon of the foreſaid Spittle, Doctor Bell undertooke to read Lincolns bill in the Pulpit. that was appointed likewiſe to preach upon Tueſday in Easter-weake at the ſame Spittle, whom hee perſwaded to reade his ſaid bill in the Pulpit: which bill contained (in effect) the griefes that many found with ſtrangers, for taking the livings away from Artificers, and the entercourſe from Merchants, the redreſſe whereof muſt come from the commons knit in one; for as the hurt touched all men, ſo muſt al ſet to their helping hands. Which letter he read,The bill contained much ſeditious matter. or the chiefeſt part thereof, comprehending much ſeditious matter. And then he began with this ſentence: Cœlum cœli Domino, terram autem dedit filiis hominum. And upon this Text he entreated, how this Land was given to Engliſhmen, and as Birds defend their neſts, so ought Engliſhmen to cheriſh and maintaine themſelves, and to hurt and grieve Aliens, for reſpect of their Common-wealth. And on this Text, Pugna pro Patria, he brought in, how (by Gods Law) it was was lawfull to fight for their Country:Pugna pro Patria. and thus he ſubtilly moved the people to rebell againſt ſtrangers. By this Sermon, many a light-headed perſon tooke courage, and openly Sports and Paſtimes. openly ſpake againſt ſtrangers: and by miſhap, there had beene divers evill parts (of late) plaid by ſtrangers, in and about the Citie of London, which kindled the peoples rancor the more furiouſly againſt them.

The twenty eighth day of April, Quarels urged to ſtrangers as they were in the ſtreets divers yong-men of the Citie picked quarels with certaine ſtrangers, as they paſſed along the ſtreets: ſome they ſmote and buffetted, and ſome they threw in the channell: for which, the Lord Maior ſent ſome of the Engliſhmen to priſon, as Stephen Studley, Skinner, Stevenson, Bets, and other.

Then ſuddenly roſe a ſecret rumour, and no man could tell how it began, that on May-day next following,Evil May-day. the Citie would ſlay all the Aliens: inſomuch that divers ſtrangers fled out of the Citie.

This rumour came to the knowledge of the Kings Councell: whereupon the Lord Cardinall ſent for the Maior, and other of the Councell of the Citie, giving them to underſtand what hee had heard.

The Lord Maior (as one ignorant of the matter) told the Cardinall, that he doubted not ſo to governe the Citie, but as peace ſhould be obſerved.

The Cardinall willed him ſo to doe, and to take good heed, that if any riotous attempt were intended, he ſhould by good policy prevent it.

The Maior comming from the Cardinals houſe,A meeting of the L. Maior and his brethren at Guildhall. about foure of the clocke in the afternoone on May Eve, ſent for his Brethren to the Guild-hall, yet was it almost ſeven of the clocke before the Aſſembly was ſet. Vpon conference had of the matter, ſome thought it neceſſary, that a ſubstantiall watch ſhould be ſet of honeſt Citizens, which might withſtand the evill doers, if they went about any miſrule. Other were of contrary opinion, as rather thinking it beſt, that every man ſhould be commanded to ſhut in his doores, and to keepe his ſervants within. Before 8. of the clock, Maſter Recorder was ſent to the Cardinall, with theſe opinions: who hearing the ſame,The Recorder & Sir Thomas More ſent to the Cardinall. allowed the latter. And then the Recorder, and Sir Thomas More, late under-sheriffe of London, and now of the Kings Councell, came backe againe to the Guild-hall, halfe an houre before nine of the clock, and there ſhewed the pleaſure of the Kings Councell: whereupon every Alderman ſent to his Ward, that no man (after nine of the clocke) ſhould ſtir out of his houſe, but keepe his doores ſhut, and his ſervants within, untill nine of the clocke in the morning.

After this commandement was given, An Alderman reſiſted, and put to flight. in the Evening, as Sir Iohn Mundy Alderman, came from his Ward, hee found two young-men in Cheape, playing at the Bucklers, and a great many of young-men looking on them, for the command ſeemed to bee ſcarcely publiſhed; he commanded them to leave off; and becauſe one of them asked him why, hee would have him ſent to the Counter. But the Prentices reſiſted the Alderman, taking the young-man from him, and cryed Prentices, Prentices, Clubs, Clubs: then out at every doore came Clubs and other weapons, ſo that the Alderman was forced to flight. Then more people aroſe out of every quarter, and forth came Servingmen, Watermen, Courtiers, and other, ſo that by eleven of the clocke, there were in Cheape, 6. or 7. hundred, and out of Pauls Church-yard came about 300. From all places they gathered together, and breake up the Counter, took out the Priſoners, which had beene committed thither by the Lord Maior, for hurting the ſtrangers: alſo they went to Newgate, and tooke out Studley and Bets, committed thither for the like cauſe. The Maior and Sheriffes were preſent, and made Proclamation in the Kings name, but nothing was obeyed.

Being thus gathered into ſeverall heaps,Sir Thomas More labored to pacifie the rude multitude. they ran thorow Saint Nicholas ſhambles, and at Saint Martins Gate, there met with them Sir Thomas More, and other, deſiring them to goe to their lodgings.

As they were thus intreating, and had almoſt perſwaded the people to depart, they within Saint Martins threw out ſtones and bats, ſo that they hurt divers honeſt perſons, which were with Sir Thomas More, perſwading the rebellious Rout to ceaſe. Inſomuch as at length, one Nicholas Dennis, a Serjeant at Armes, being there ſore hurt, cryed in Sports and Paſtimes. in a fury, Nicholas Dennis, a Serjeant at Armes ſore hurt. Downe with them: and then all the unruly perſons ran to the doores and windowes of the houſes within St. Martins, and ſpoiled all that they found. After that they ran into Cornehill, and ſo on to a houſe Eaſt of Leadenhal, called the Green-gate, where dwelt one Mewtas a Piccard or Frenchman, within whoſe houſe dwelled divers French men, Mewtas a Piccard. whom they likewiſe ſpoyled: and if they had found Mewtas, they would have ſtricken off his head.

Some ran to Blanchapleton, and there brake up the ſtrangers houſes,The ſtrangers houſes broken up at Blanchapleton. and ſpoiled them. Thus they continued till 3. a clocke in the morning, at which time, they began to withdraw: but by the way they were taken by the Maior and other, and ſent to the Tower, Newgate and Counters, to the number of 300. The Cardinall was advertiſed by Sir Thomas Parre, whom in all haſte he ſent to Richmond, The King ſendeth to know the ſtate of the City. to informe the King: who immediately ſent to underſtand the ſtate of the City, and was truely informed. Sir Roger Cholmeley Lievtenant of the Tower, during the time of this buſineſſe, ſhot off certaine peeces of Ordnance againſt the City, but did no great hurt. About five of the clocke in the morning, the Earles of Shrewsbury and Surrey, Thomas Dockery, Lord Prior of Saint Iohns, The Lords came with power to London. George Nevill, Lord Aburgaveny, and other, came to London with ſuch powers as they could make, ſo did the Innes of Court; but before they came, the buſineſſe was done, as ye have heard.

Then were the priſoners examined,Doctor Bell ſent to the Tower for his Sermon. and the Sermon of Doctor Bell called to remembrance, and hee ſent to the Tower. A Commiſſion of Oyer and Determiner was directed to the Duke of Norfolke, and other Lords, for puniſhment of this inſurrection. The ſecond of May, the Commiſſioners, with the Lord Maior, Aldermen and Iuſtices, went to the Guildhall, where many of the offenders were indicted, whereupon they were arraigned, and pleaded not guilty, having day given them till the 4. of May.

On which day,The Duke of Norfolke entred London with 1300 men. the Lord Maior, the Duke of Norfolke, the Earle of Surrey and other, came to ſit in the Guildhall. The Duke of Norfolke entred the City with one thouſand three hundred men, and the priſoners were brought through the ſtreets tyed in ropes, ſome men, ſome lads but of thirteen or foureteene yeeres old, to the number of 278. perſons. That day Iohn Lincolne and divers other were indicted, and the next day thirteen were adjudged to bee drawne, hanged, and quartered: for execution whereof,Ten paire of Gallowes ſet up in divers ſtreets of London. ten payre of Gallowes were ſet up in divers places of the City, as at Aldgate, Blanchapleton, Graſſe-ſtreet, Leaden-hall, before either of the Counters; at Newgate, Saint Martins, at Alderſgate and Biſhopſgate. And theſe Gallowes were ſet upon wheeles, to bee removed irom ſtreet to ſtreet, and from doore to doore whereas the priſoners were to be executed.

On the ſeventh of May, Iohn Lincoln, one Shirwin, and two brethren, named Betts, Iohn Lincolne the Broker executed, but the reſt reſpited by the King. with divers other were adjudged to dye. They were on the Hurdles drawne to the Standard in Cheape, and firſt was Lincolne executed: and as the other had the ropes about their neckes, there came a commandement from the King, to reſpit the execution, and then were the priſoners ſent againe to priſon, and the armed men ſent away out of the Citie.

On the thirteenth of May, the King came to Weſtminſter-hall, and with him the Lord Cardinall, the Dukes of Norfolke, and Suffolke, the Earles of Shrewſbury, Eſſex, Wiltſhire, and Surrey, with many Lords and other of the Kings Councell; the Lord Maior of London, Aldermen and other chiefe Citizens, were there in their beſt liveries, by nine of the clocke in the morning.The priſoners were brought before the King at Weſtminſter Hall. Then came in the priſoners, bound in ropes in a ranke one after another, in their ſhirts, and every one had a Halter about his necke, being in number 400. men, and 11. women.

When they were thus come before the Kings preſence, the Cardinall laid ſore to the Maior and Aldermen their negligence, and to the priſoners he declared how juſtly they had deſerved to dye. Then all the priſoners together cryed to the King for mercy,The King graciouſly pardoned all the priſoners. and therewith the Lords beſought his grace of pardon: at whoſe requeſt, the King pardoned them all. The generall pardon being Of Watches inLONDON. being pronounced, all the Priſoners ſhouted at once, and caſt their Halters towards the roofe of the Hall. The priſoners being diſmiſſed, the Gallowes were taken downe, and the Citizens tooke more heed to their ſervants: keeping (for ever after) as on that night, a ſtrong watch in Armour, in remembrance of Evill May-day. Evill May-day.

Theſe great Mayings and Maygames made by the Governours and Maſters of this City, with the Triumphant ſetting up of the great ſhaft (a principall May-pole in Cornehill, before the Pariſh of Saint Andrew) therefore called Vnderſhaft, by meane of that inſurrection of youths, againſt Aliens on May-day, 1517. the 6. of Henry the eight, have not been ſo freely uſed as before. And therefore I leave them, and will ſomewhat touch of Watches, as alſo of ſhewes in the night.