Compare 1577 edition: 1 When therefore the bishop was come into the place where the commons were incamped,The fortifi|eng of the re|bels campe. he perceiued that they had fortified their campe verie stronglie with ditches, and such other stuffe as they could make shift with, as doores, windowes, boords, & tables, and behind them were all their cariages placed, so that it séemed they meant not to flie. Herewith the bishop being chased with the presumptuous boldnesse of such a sort of disordered persons, commanded his trum|pets to sound to the battell,The bishop is the first man that chargeth the rebels in their campe. and with his speare in the rest, he charged them with such violence, that he went ouer the ditch, and laied so about him, that through his manfull dooings, all his companie found means to passe the ditch likewise, and so therewith followed a verie sore and terrible sight, both parts doo|ing their best to vanquish the other. But finallie the commons were ouercome,The Nor|folke rebels vanquished. and driuen to seeke their safegard by flight, which was sore hindered by their cariages that stood behind them, ouer the which they were forced to clime and leape so well as they might. Iohn Littester and other cheefe capteins were ta|ken aliue. The bishop therefore caused the said Litte|ster to be arreigned of high treason, and condemned, and so he was drawne, hanged, and headed according to the iudgement.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 The bishop heard his confession, and by vertue of his office absolued him: and to shew some parcell of sorrowing for the mans mischance, he went with him to the galowes. But it séemed that pitie wrought not with the bishop to quench the zeale of iustice: for he caused not Littester onelie to be executed, but sought for all other that were the chéefe dooers in that EEBO page image 436 rebellion, causing them to be put vnto death, and so by that meanes quieted the countrie. ¶ To recite what was doone in euerie part of the realme in time of those hellish troubles, it is not possible: but this is to be considered, that the rage of the commons was vniuersallie such, as it might séeme they had general|lie conspired togither, to doo what mischeefe they could deuise. As among sundrie other, what wickednesse was it, to compell teachers of children in grammar schooles to sweare neuer to instruct any in their art? Againe, could they haue a more mischeefous mea|ning, than to burne and destroie all old and ancient monuments, and to murther and dispatch out of the waie all such as were able to commit to memorie, ei|ther any new or old records? For it was dangerous among them to be knowne for one that was lerned, and more dangerous, if any men were found with a penner and inkhorne at his side: Anno Reg. 5. for such seldome or neuer escaped from them with life.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 But to returne to saie somewhat more concerning the end of their rebellious enterprises, you must vn|derstand,The capteine once slaine the soldiers faint. how after that Wat Tiler was slaine at London in the presence of the king (as before ye haue heard) the hope and confidence of the rebels greatlie decaied: and yet neuerthelesse, the king and his councell being not well assured, granted to the commons (as ye haue heard) charters of manumis|sion and infranchisement from all bondage, and so sent them awaie home to their countries: and foorth|with herevpon he assembled an armie of the Londo|ners, and of all others in the countries abroad that bare him good will, appointing none to come, but such as were armed and had horsses, for he would haue no footmen with him. Thus it came to passe, that within thrée daies he had about him fourtie thousand horsse|men,An armie of fortie thou|sand horsse|men. as was estéemed; so that in England had not béene heard of the like armie assembled togither at one time. And herewith was the king aduertised, that the Kentishmen began eftsoones to stir,The Kentish|men eftsoones rebell. where|with the king and the whole armie were so grieuous|lie offended, that they meant streight to haue set vp|on that countrie, and to haue wholie destroied that rebellious generation. But thorough intercession made by the lords and gentlemen of that countrie, the king pacified his mood, and so resolued to procéed against them by order of law and iustice, causing iudges to sit and to make inquisition of the malefac|tors, and especiallie of such as were authors of the mischéefes.