Page:History of Wat Tyler and Jack Straw.pdf/12

                               (  12  ) best of those rebels accepted the King’s offer disbanded and went to their respec- tive homes, and the Londonners returned

But Tyler whose aim was lor robbing the city of London, and the extirpation of all who were any ways noted for learn- ing with twenty thousand of the drags and skum of his rake hells, came into Smithfield; to whom the King guarded by a small strength attended by William Walworth, the Lord Mayor John Phil- pot the strength, of the mariners, on ac- count of the noble actions mentioned in the beginning of this history Nicholas Bramber, Alderman of London, and Sir John Newton, and some few others, all men of brave and resolute spirits present- ed him, and was by the traiterous Tyler. received in a most base and scornful man- ner with many affronts to his followers, insomuch that John Philpot told the King the abuses were insufferable, aud if he could but command his Lieutenant, weaning the Lord Mayor to arrest the traitor, he would lose his own life if it were not accordingly performed.

Nevertheless the King doubting the sequel, was rather unwilling to provoke a