[1] [2] [3] [4] On saint Stephans daie they tooke their waie to London with an armie of fortie thousand men,The lords come to Lon|don with a great armie. as some write; & comming into the fields besides Cler|kenwell, mustered their men, being diuided in thrée seuerall battels verie well appointed with armor and weapon, that it was a beautifull sight to behold them. The king kept his Christmas,

K. Richard kéepeth his Christmas in the Tower of London.

The lords send to the Maior and ci|tizens of Lon|don to vnder|stand their meaning.

not at Westminster, but in the Tower; not douting but there to be defen|ded what chance soeuer should happen. The lords mis|trusting the Londoners, lodged them with their peo|ple in the suburbs. They sent yet two knights, and two esquiers, vnto the Maior and Aldermen of the citie, to vnderstand whether they were minded to take part with them, or with the duke of Ireland, and his adherents, traitors (as they tearmed them) both to the king and the realme. The Londoners were now in no small feare and perplexitie, not knowing well what waie was best for them to take, weieng di|uers perils; as first the kings displeasure, if they ope|ned their gates vnto the lords; and if they shut them foorth, they feared the indignation and wrath of the commons that were come thither with the lords, and were readie to breake downe their wals and gates,The Londo|ners in great perplexitie which part to take. if they were neuer so little prouoked. Besides this, they stoode most in doubt, least if the wealthiest citizens should not giue their consent to receiue the lords in|to the citie, the meaner sort, and such as wished rather to sée some hurlie burlie than to continue in peace, would séeke by force to set open the gates, and make waie for the lords and their people to enter, that they might make hauocke, and spoile whatsoeuer might be found of value in the rich mens houses.