Abraham Fle|ming out of Henrie Knigh|ton canon of Leicester abbeie.¶In the report of this commotion chronographers doo somewhat varie, as by this present extract out of Henrie Knighton canon of Leicester abbeie, liuing at the time of this tumult may appeare: which Abra|ham Fleming hath faithfullie and trulie translated out of the annales of the said canon written in parch|ment in old Latine letters, as followeth. Upon a sa|turdaie, these malcontents [to wit, Thomas Baker the first moouer but afterwards the principall lea|ders, Iacke Straw, Iacke Miler, Iacke Carter, Iacke Trewman, and their trecherous traine] met togither in Smithfield, whither also the king repaired in the morning, who although in yeares he was but yoong, yet in wisedome and discretion he was well growne. The ringleader of this tumultuous rowt, whose right name was Wat Tiler, which he had now changed into Iacke Straw, approched neere the king, in so much that he might in a maner touch him, be|ing the mouth of all the residue, and hauing in his hand a drawne dagger, which he tossed from hand to hand, boy-like plaieng with it, & watching due time therewith, if not to [...]ab, yet suddenlie to smite the king, if he denied their requests. Wherevpon they that were next and about the king were greatlie af|feard, least his pretended mischeefe should come to passe.

Now he craued of the king that all warrens, wa|ters, parks and woods should be common, so that as well poore as rich might fréelie in any place where|soeuer practise fishing in ponds, pooles, riuers, or any waters, and might hunt déere in forrests and parkes, and the hare in the fields, with diuerse other requests, which he would haue granted without contradiction or gainesaieng, and exercise without controlment. Now when the king in the grant hereof by delibera|tion vsed some delaie, Iacke Straw drew neerer vn|to him, and speaking vnto him certeine thretening words, tooke hold of the horsses bridle whereon the king rode, vpon what presumptuous enterprise I wot not. Which Iohn Walworth a burgesse of Lon|don beholding, and fearing present death to hang o|uer the kings head, caught a weapon in his hand, and therwith thrust Iacke Straw through the throte, which when another that was by being an esquier, named Rafe Standish did see, with his weapon also ran him through the sides; in so much that he fell flat on his backe to the ground, and beating with his hands to and fro a while, at last he gaue vp his vnhap|pie ghost.

Then a great clamor and lamentable outcrie was made, and heard a great while togither, saieng; Our guide is dead, our capteine is dead. And indéed so he was, being dragged by the hands and féet in a vile and contemptible sort into saint Bartholomewes church hard by. Then did manie of the vnrulie multi|tude withdraw themselues, and vanishing awaie betooke them to their héeles, being about the number (as it was thought) of ten thousand. Then the king minding to make amends and to requite receiued courtesie, knighted the said Iohn Walworth, & Rafe Standish, with foure burgesses more of the citie, namelie Iohn Philpot, Nicholas Brembre, Iohn Laund, and Nicholas Twifeld, girding them about the wast with the girdle of knighthood, which was the maner of their graduating. Then the king hauing ordeined and made the foresaid six knights, com|manded that the residue of the curssed crue should de|part and get them into the field, that méeting togi|ther in a companie, he might fall vnto a treatie of a|greement with them.