¶ At the same time (said he) that we were assembled vpon Blackeheath,The con [...]es [...]|on of Iacke Straw at the time of his death. and had sent to the king to come vnto vs, our purpose was to haue slaine all such knights, esquiers, and gentlemen, as should haue gi|uen their attendance thither vpon him: and as for the king, we would haue kept him amongst vs, to the end that the people might more boldlie haue repaired to vs, sith they should haue thought, that whatsoeuer we did, the same had béene doone by his authoritie. Finally, when we had gotten power inough, that we needed not to feare anie force that might be made against vs, we would haue slaine all such noble men, as might either haue giuen counsell, or made anie resistance against vs, speciallie the knights of the Rhodes; and lastlie we would haue killed the king and all men of possessions, with bishops, moonks, cha|nons and parsons of churches, onelie friers Mendi|cants we would haue spared, that might haue suffi|ced for ministration of the sacraments. And when we had made a riddance of all those, we would haue deuised lawes, according to the which the subiects of this realme should haue liued, for we would haue created kings, as Wat Tiler in Kent, and other in other countries. But bicause this our purpose was disappointed by the archbishop of Canturburie, that would not permit the king to come to vs, we sought by all meanes to dispatch him out of the waie, as at length we did. Morouer, the same euening that Wat Tiler was killed, we were determined, hauing the greatest part of the commons of the citie bent to ioine with vs, to haue set fire in foure corners of the citie, and so to haue diuided amongst vs the spoile of the cheefest riches that might haue beene found at our pleasure. And this (said he) was our purpose, as God may helpe me now at my last end.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 This may you see, after what sort they were con|spired to the destruction of the realme, and to haue aduanced and inriched themselues; not considering or foreséeing the euill successe of their tumultuous broile, and that it would tend but little to their profit in the end, by a common spoile to amend their state, and to become mightie and rich with goods euill got|ten, which though for a time (if lucke had serued them to haue possessed) they had enioied, yet could they not long prosper nor bring good vnto the possessors: for
Non habet euentus sordida praeda bonos.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 And lest this one mans confession might séeme in|sufficient, diuerse other of them confessed the same, or much what the like in effect, when they saw no re|medie but present death before their eies. To declare the occasion whie such mischeefes happened thus in the realme, we leaue to the iudgement of those that may coniecture a truth thereof, by conferring the manners of that age & behauiour of all states then, sith they that wrote in those daies, may happilie in that behalfe miffe the trueth, in construing things according to their affections. But truelie it is to be thought, that the faults,The cause of the late tu|mults. as well in one degrée as an other, speciallie the sinnes of the whole nation, procu|red such vengeance to rise, whereby they might be warned of their euill dooings, and séeke to reforme the same in time conuenient. But as it commeth still to passe; when the danger is once ouershot, re|pentance likewise is put ouer, and is no more regar|ded, till an other scourge commeth eftsoones to put men in remembrance of their duetie; so in like man|ner (as séemeth) it chanced in this kings daies, as by EEBO page image 439 that which followeth may more plainelie appeare.