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1587

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Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 The earle of Warwike and others sore grieued therewith, caused a whole volie of artillerie to be shot off at the rebels: and herewith capteine Drurie with his owne band, & the Almans or lanceknights, whether ye list to call them, on foot, getting néere to the enimies, hailsed them with their harquebut shot so sharplie, and thrust forward vpon them with their pikes so stronglie, that they brake them in sunder. The gentlemen, who (as we haue said) were pla|ced in the fore ranke, found meanes (as good hap was) to shrinke aside, and escaped the danger for the more part, although some indeed were slaine by the Almans, and other that knew not what they were. The light horssemen of the kings part herewith gaue in amongst them so roundlie, that the rebels not a|ble to abide their valiant charge, were easilie put to flight, and with the foremost their grand capteine Robert Ket gallopped awaie so fast as his horsse would beare him. The horssemen following in chase, slue them downe on heapes, euer still as they ouer|tooke them; so that the chase continuing for the space of thrée or foure miles,The number of the rebels slaine. there were slaine to the num|ber of thrée thousand fiue hundred at the least: beside a great multitude that were wounded as they fled here and there ech waie foorth, as séemed best to serue their turne for their most spéedie escape out of dan|ger. Yet one part of them that had not beene assailed at the first onset, séeing such slaughter made of their fellowes, kept their ground by their ordinance, and shranke not; determining as men desperatlie bent, not to die vnreuenged, but to fight it out to the last man.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 They were so inclosed with their carts, carriages, trenches (which they had cast) and stakes pitched in the ground to kéepe off the force of horssemen, that it would haue béene somewhat dangerous to haue as|sailed them within their strength. But sure they were that now they could not escape, séeing no small part of their whole numbers were cut off and distres|sed, and they inuironed on ech side, without hope of succour or reléefe of vittels, which in the end must néeds haue forced them to come foorth of their inclo|sure to their vndoubted ouerthrow and destruction. The earle of Warwike yet pitieng their case, and loth that the king should loose so manie stout mens bodies as were there amongst them, which might doo his maiestie and their countrie good seruice, if they could be reclamed from this their desperat follie vn|to due obedience, sent Norreie vnto them, offe|ring them pardon of life if they would throw downe their weapons and yéeld:Pardon eft|s [...]es offered. if not, he threatened that there should not a man of them escape the deserued punishment. Their answer was, that if they might be assured to haue their liues saued, they could be contented to yeeld: but they could haue no trust that promise should be kept with them. For notwithstan|ding all such faire offers of pardon, they tooke it that there was nothing meant but a subtill practise, to bring them into the hands of their aduersaries the gentlemen, that had prepared a barrell of ropes and halters, with which they purposed to trusse them vp: and therefore they would rather die like men, than to be strangled at the wils and pleasures of their mor|tall enimies.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 The earle of Warwike right sorie to sée such despe|rat minds among them, sent to the citie, and caused the most part of the footmen which he had left there to defend the same, to come foorth now in battell arraie, that they might helpe to distresse those wilfull rebels that thus obstinatelie refused the kings pardon. And hauing brought as well them as the Almans and the horssemen in order of battell againe, and readie now to set vpon the rebels, he eftsoones sent vnto them to know that if he should come himselfe and giue his word, that they should haue their pardon,Pardon once againe offe|red. whether they would receiue it or not. Herevnto they answered, that they had such confidence in his ho|nor, that if he would so doo, they would giue credit thereto, and submit themselues to the kings mercie. Incontinentlie herevpon he went vnto them,They yéeld to the earle of Warwike. and commanded Norreie to read the kings pardon frée|lie granted to all that would yéeld. Which being read, euerie man threw downe his weapon, and with one whole and entier voice cried; God saue king Ed|ward, God saue king Edward. And thus thorough the prudent policie, and fauourable mercie of the erle of Warwike, a great number of those offendors were preserued from the gates of death, into the which they were readie to enter.

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