THE Fortunate history AND ADVENTURES OF Sir Richard Whittington, WHO WAS Three Ti?nes Lord Mayor of London, In 1397, 1406, and 1419.' INCLUDING THE INSURRECTION Of WAT TYLER and JACK STRAW, Faithfully Extracted from Ancient Records, LONDON: Printed by T. Maiden, Slrrlioufne-Lant, For Ann Lemoine, White Rose Court, Coleman Street, And J. Rce, No. 90, Houndsditch. Sold by all the Booksellers in The (Jnited Kingdoms. {Price Four-Fence."} ■HBflBBUIinHH LIFE AND TRANSACTIONS OF THE FORTUNATE Sir RICHARD WHITTINGTON, Three Times Lord Mayor of London, 1397 — HOG — 1 419. TO (c Scorn delights, and live laborious days/'' a» Milton observes, is the lot of mankind, who have but the " world before them, and Providence their guide," to lead them to independence and good fortune for future existence. This must be the resolution of eyery one who wishes to overcome the perpetual pur- suit of penury, and end his days in opulent sufficiency,; and such was the conduct of Richard YVhittington, who thereby put to flight the very remembrance of dif- ficulties, and ill usage ; of neglect, malignity, and ig- norance. According to the account of the most creditable writers, Wtrhtington came to London, from Shrop- shire, about the torty-second year of King Edward 111. or 1308 j so tha-t he must have been very young when he served his first Mayoralty, in 1397, being then only about thirty-six years old. The obscurity of his origin has given occasion to many fabulous accounts, and puerile tales ; but the following i$ the result of careful research, and faithful history, nowhere interlarded with traditionary trash; for such the story of his cat cannot be called, as his armorial bearings testify to this day. His peregrination to 'town was round about and tedious j for he wanaered from place to place til! he got to Taunton Dean, in Somersetshire, where, dis- A 2 4- LIFE Oy WKITTINGTON. Tale 42. gusted with the usage of his employers, he formed the resolution of coming to London. In his way to this place, he lived chiefly upon the chanty of well-disposed persons, and the carriers on the road, one of whom allowed him to walk by the side of his horses, and at night to sleep in his waggon. On this occasion he re- warded his benefactor w.th twopence when he arrived at Gerhard's Hall; because, as he observed, he was not a troublesome hanger-on, but would work, if he could find it. Travelling on foot 400 years ago, and in cross roads ton, must have been yery fatiguing and unpleasant. They were, indeed, what the great lawyer Lyttleton. once called them, feathered roads; not from their soft- ness, or smoothness, gentle reader, but because they were then fit only to be traversed by the fowls of. the air. Arrived in London, every thing was a wonder to his mind ; but he did not lose his time much in admiration ; for he soon made an application to the Prior of the Hospital of St. John's Clerkenwell, where he was kindly relieved; and being handy and willing, was soon put into an inferior post in the house. How long he re- mained here, is, I believe, no where mentioned ; but to the p:ety of the charitable foundation he was cer- tainly indebted tor his first support in London. His next reception was in the family of Mr. Fitzwarren, a rich merchant', whose house was in the Minories, near the Tower. Here he undoubtedly acted as under scul- lion, for his keep only ; a very low step to rise from to the honor and affluence he did, in being several times chief magistrate of the city, and banker of kings. In this situation he met with many crosses and diffi- culties 5 for the servants made sport of him ; and the ill-natured cook told him, " You are to come under me ; so look sharp, clean the spits and the dripping- pan' make the fires, wind up the jack, and nimbly do all other scullery work that 1 may set you about, or else I will break your head with my ladle, and kick you about like a loot-ball," Tide i?. LIFE OF WHITTINGTON. 5 This was cold comfort, but better than starving: and what gave him a beam of hope, was, Mrs. Alice, his master's daughter, who hearing her father had enter- tained another servant, came to see him, and ordered that he should be kindly used. After she had discoursed with him about his kindred, and method of life, ai d found his answers ingenuous, she ordered him some cast-off garments, and that he should be cleaned, and appear like a servant in the house. Then she went to her parents, and gave them her opinion of this stranger, which pleased them well, saying, " He looks like a serviceable feliow to do kitchen drudgery, run on er - rands, clean shoes, and do such other things as the rest of the servants think beneath them." By this time he was continued in his place, and a flock bed prepared in the garret for him. These cir- cumstance, pleased him much; and he exerted his ut- | most diligence in performing every thing to the satis- faction of his employers. But, alas ! from his being mostly under the cookmaid, he had but sour sauce for all his pains; for, being of a morose temper, she used him very ill, scolding him without allowance, and not unfrequently with' a sturdy- arm, laid the ladle across his shoulders; so that, to keep in the familv, he had many a sore bout to put up with ; but his patience carried it off, and at last he grew used co her choleric disposition. Yet she_ was not content with this only; she even tried with his master and mis- tress to get' him discharged; but his young mistress having an eye of compassion for him, and frequently ob-.erving his treatment, interposed in his favor, so that ghe should not prevail against him. This was not the only misfortune he laboured under; for, lying in a place for a long time unfrequented, such abundance of rats and mice had bred there, that they were almost ready at times to dispute the possession of the place with him, and full as troublesome by night as ffce cook was by day, running over his face, and dis- turbing him with their squeaking ; so that he knew not -what tQ think of his condition, or how to mend it. A 3 6 jlife of whittington. Tale 42. After many disquieting thoughts, he at last comforted himself with the hopes that the cook might aoon marry, or die, or quit her service ; and as for the rats and mice, a cat would be an effectual remedy against them. Soon after a merchant came to dinner, and, it rain- ing exceedingly, he staid all night, whose shoes "Whit- tington having cleaned, and presented at his chamber door, he gave him a penny. This stock he improved ; for, going along the street of an errand, he saw a woman with a cat under her arm, and he desired to know the price of it : the woman praised it for a good mouser, and told him sixpence ; but he declaring that a penny was all his stock, she let him have it. tie took the cat home, and kept her in a box all day, lest the cook should kill her if she came into the kitchen, and at night he set her to work for her living. Puss delivered him from one plague j but the other re- mained, though not for many years. It was the custom with the' worthy merchant, Mr. Hugh Fitzwarren, that God might give him a greater blessing for his endeavours, to call all his servants to- gether when he sent out a ship, and cause every one to venture something in it, to try their fortunes, for which they were to pay nothing for freight or custom. Now all but Whittington appeared, and brought things according to their abilities; but Mrs. Alice being by, and supposing that poverty made him decline coming, she ordered him to be called, on which he made 'several excuses: however, being constrained to come, he hoped they would not jeer a poor simpleton for being in expectation of turning merchant, since all that he could lay claim to, as his own, was but a poor pat; which he had bought for one penny, which he had given him for cleaning shoes, that had much be- friended him in keeping the rats and mice from him. Upon this, Mr,. Alice proffered to lay something down, for him : but her father told her the custom ; it must be hi; own which must be ventured ; and then ordered jStim to bring his cat, which he did, but with great re- Ui . tanc.e, fancying nothing would come of it \ and with Tale 42. life of whittington. 7 tears delivered it to the master of the ship, which was called the Unicorn, and had fallen down to Blackwall, in order to proceed on her voyage. From Blackwall the ship sailed to the Motherbanlc at Woodenbridge, during which passage Puss was frisky and biythe as any of the purring tribe, the steward and cook taking particular care and notice of her. On the ninth day they reached Gibraltar, where they stopped a short time to refresh. The wind, for several days afterwards, became so light, that they scarce sailed above two miles an hour, and all in-shore; for at that time ships seldom went out of sight of hmd, and m the day time, coming to anchor at night. They kept on in this wav for fifteen days more, at the end of which they arrived" in the Mole of Algiers, and anchored. Herp . the first news they heard, was, that the plague was rife in the country, having been but a few years before brought from China, viz. in 1346, at which period it was first noticed to rage in Africa, from whence it soon proceeded to Europe, overspreading the northern coun- tries. This news did not deter the captain from send- ing to trade on shore, where, at first, they found but little encouragement, the people of the country ap- pearing very shy to every offer. Their chief lading, beino- canary seed and cheese, when they came to re- move it, they found it very much damaged by rats and mice, many of which lay dead, and half eaten, by Whittin^ton's Cat. This prowess of puss brought her into much credit ; for it is credibly reported, she never left her prey half done over. ihe news of the arrival of a vessel soon reached the notice of the Dey, who immediately ordered the captain and officers to wait upon his highness with presents ; for then, as well as now, nothing could be done without first bribing him. After this first ceremony was over, trade went on pretty briskly, at the conclusion of which, his Moorish Majesty gave a grand entertainment, which, according to custom, was served upon carpets, interwoven with gold, silver, and purple silk. This feast was no sooner served up with the various dishes, but the scent brought 5 life op whittj.vgton. Tale '12 together a numper of rats and mice, who unmercifully fell on all that came in their way. These audacious and destructive vermin did not shew- any symptoms of fear upon the approach of the com. pany, but, on the contrary, kept to it as if they only •were invited. This made the captain and his people very much wonder; who, interrogating the Algerines, were informed, a very great price would be given by his Highness, the J>ey, for a cure, and a riddance of these vermin, which were grown so numerously offen- sive, that not only his table, but his private apart- ments, and bed, were so infested, that he was forced to be constantly watched for fear of being devoured. This information put the English company imme- diately in mind of pour Dick Whittington's Cat, which had done them such notable service on the passage; and wishing to serve the youth, thought this the best time to come forward with the little industrious animal. Accordingly she was forthwith brought the next day, when her presence suddenly kept olfmostof the ver- min ; a few only of the boldest daring to venture for- ward, all of whom she dispatched with wonderful celerity. This pleased his Algerine Highness so much, that he immediately made very advantageous proposals to the factor of the ship for the possession of this sur- prising and useful animal. At first our people seemed very reluctant to part with it ; but his liberality soon overcame every objection ; and her purchase amounted, in various commodities, to several thousands of pounds. During the time the English remained here, her in- dustry in destroying those noxious vermin so compleatly phased the .Moorish Chief, that, at our people's de* parture, he again loaded them with presents, amongst which was some excellent casks of Candy wine, which at that time was equal to sack The diversion the Cat had afforded, and the certainty of her being with young, and would stock the country, very much facilitated the English traders' concerns, in- iojuuch; that their goods were all sold off, and the Tale 42. life of whittington. 9 country produce safely stowed on board in less than half the time usually spent on such expeditions. Thev sailed from Algiers without any visitation of the plague, it being in the month of September, when the winds are chiefly from the north-east quarter, which are well known to extinguish that exterminating dis- temper with as much expedition as water does fire. As the vessel was a sloop, and but one deck, the sailors, not only during their stay in the country, but the whole voyage after, were obliged to eat and sleep on the goods and merchandise, the principal part of which was acquired by the cat. Their passage home was short, touching at Gibraltar and Guernsey. At the fortnight's end, they made Portland Roads, where they went on shore, and relating their good success, and extraordinary adventure with the Cat, the Mayor of VV eymouth invited the captain and supercargo to dinner, when they became very merry with Canary wine sent from on board, and mum from his worship's ceilar. At the conclusion of the feast, it was resolved upon to advise Mr. Fitzwarren, the mer- chant, of the good success of his ship, and particularly of the rich adventure of the Cat. t his advice, when he received it, he directly communicated to the ser- vants ; and the most of their astonishment was at Whit- tington's great good luck with his Cat. This had a wonderful effect upon their minds, but more especially upon Mrs. Alice, the cook, who had hitherto jeered him so unmercifully. This young woman, who little thought how advan- tageous Whittington's Cat would prove, had kept up such a continual alarm of noise and reproach at the poor youth's unfortunate penurv, that he grew weary of enduring it, and not the least expecting what fol- lowed, resolved rather to try his fortune again in the wide world, than lead any longer such a disagreeable life. For this step he might be blamed, as, had he complained to his master, who was a kind gentleman, the dilference would have been set to rights, and he, not like a Jonas, cast out. With this resolution, how- LIFE OF WHITTINGTOiN'. Tale 42. eyer, he set out early on Allhallovvs morning, resolving to go into the country, and get into a more agreeable service. As he went over Finsbury Moor, since called Moor- fields, his mind began to i'ail ; he hesitated, and halted several times: he grew pensive, and his resolution left him. In this solitary manner he wandered on until he reached Holloway, where he sat down upon a large stone, which remains there to be seen to this day. Here he began to ruminate in earnest upon his ill-luck in not pieasing the cook; and in the depth of his meditation, he suddenly heard Bow-bells strike out for a peal. This changed his attention ; for, as he listened, on a sudden, he fancied, they called him back again to his master, '[he more he hearkened, the more he became con- firmed in this notion of his recall, conceiting the bells expressed the following distich: if RETURN AGAIN, WIIITTINGTON, " THRICE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON.'* This proved a happy thought for him; and it made so great an impression on his fancy, that, finding it early, and thinking that he might yet get back before the family were stirring, he instantly turned upon his steps, and got home in less time than he went out. The door being ajar, he crept softly in, when every thing an- swering his expectation, he got imperceived to his usual daily drudgery, of scouring pots and scullery. Even Mrs. Alice, his good friend, did not perceive any symptom of his intentioned running away. Things were in this situation when the news arrived of the success of the voyage; and that night he was installed with the appellation of Mr. by his master, who informed him, that his ship had that time arrived at Rlackwail, being the richest vessel of her burden that liad ever floated into an English port. His master con* eluded his discourse with a pious admonition to all his servants, after which they all joined in a thanksgiving; to ihe Almighty for such a prosperous voyage. Tale AS. life of whittixgton. It Mrs. Alice, the cook, was among the first to change her demeanor towards Whittington, calling him Sir, and inviting him to such and such relishes as the kitchen afforded. But Mr. Fit/warren, the merchant, had other plans in view; and he had an only daughter, who was worthy of an honest man, a ch.ii.t.cter at that time more esteemed than nobility itself. Wen the bill of lading was presented to the mer- chant, the principal part was found to belong to Mr. Whittington, amongst which was a cabinet of rich jewels the last present of the Dey. This was the first thin; brought to Mr. Fit/warren's house, it being deemed to valuable to remain on board. When the servants goods for their ventures were all brought up to be divided, Mr. Whittington *s was too bulky to be unpacked before them; but the pearls and jewels alone were estimated at two hundred thousand pounds; a vast fortune in those days. The humility of Mr. Whittington's mind arising from a strong sense of his duty to society in general, pre- vented his temper from exhilarating into arrogance, petulance, or superciliousness : though suddenly grown rich, and become equal to the first merchants in the city, pride had no shape in the change of his circumstance;;. On the contrary, at first, he could hardly be prevailed upon to let the scullery alone ; but Mr. Fitzwarren tor*,., much pains with him, introduced him to the ftvll cha- racters in town, not omitting the court, as well as the. clergy and military, who at that time were reckoned the most agreeable connections. In the midst of ail this bustle, he did not forget his old fellow servants, to each of whom he presented 100 marks, besides a compleat set of garments: but , to Mrs. Alice he gave $00, adding, with a joke, « I heartily forgive your incivility; and whenever, Madam, you please to make choice of a husband, 1 will ma!:-' you the greatest fortune in the world." Neither was the captain, master and others of the ship's company, forgotten; to all he made suitable presents, down to the little cabin boy. 22 LI'E OF WHITTINGTON. Tale 42- *Kine Edward the Third being then at war with the French, and preparing for the 81 ege of Rochelte, so}p cited of all the privileged orders of the kingdom for a subsidy to carry on his expedition. The loyalty of the city of London induced them to oiler a large gift in their corporate capacity. In this scheme Mr. W hmmgtoa ioined, and paid in 10,0001. an astonishing sum for those days from an individual-, but the military ardor of the country has always been remarkable j hence it is not wonderful that an enterprising and fortunate young man should come forward with so large a sum, when it is considered that history has almost left us in the dark as to the remuneration expected. Be this as it may, history places it in the forty-sixth year of tne King s reign, AD 1372 The success did not answer his great pre- paration : for his fleet was dispersed by contrary winds, and he was forced to disband his soldiers. Ia this expe- dition he wasted above 900,0001. an incredible sum, con- ■iderin* the great expences he had been at before in his wars, the then prices of all things, and the oppressive Way of raising the taxes. But, to return to our citizen ; every thing flourished he took in hand ; he seemed to be born with a " silver 5 noon in his hand," as the saying goes. What contri- buted much at the same time in his favour was the ab- sence of the J^mbard merchants, who withdrew them- H V es to™ ktmdoa, on account of the oppression of the Kine which became excessive towards the latter end ot his reten. for continual draughts to support his ambition ir France These, and the Jews abroad, conducted at ihat time the whole financial commerce ot the city of London 5 but Mr. VVhittington, upon their departure, came in 'for a considerable share of it. We are now regularly come to the last year ot Ring Edward's reign, the fifty-second, when the Lords and Commons granted the King a poll-tax, at four-pence a heid for every man and woman passing the age oi fourteen years, beggars only excepted 'I he clergy at the same time granted twelve-pence for every pei son beneficed ; and of all other religious persons, four-pence Tale 42. life of whittingtok. - 13 by the poll, the four orders of Friars Mendicants only excepted. Here it is. worth observing, that the King demanding of the city of London to advance him 40001, upon this poll, and the Mayor, Adam Staple, proving backward in performing the same, he was by the King turned out of that office, and Sir Richard Whittington put into his place, to finish the year ; and this is the first mention of his being knighted, and of his great import- ance in the city at that time, being only about ten years after his coming there. According to Stow, Sir Richard Whittington was a great dealer in wool, leather, cloth, and pearls, which were universally worn at that, time by the ladies. In 1377, the fir's! year of King Richard II. he was called by summons to the parliament that met at London, which commenced at Michaelmas, and lasted till the feast of St. Andrew, when it was dissolved by the muti- nous conduct of the Londoners, and adjourned to Northampton the following year, where was passed the noted poll-tax, the collecting of which occasioned and created the rebellion of Wat Tyler and Jack Straw. History of the Insurrection of W alter Tyler, of Deptford, and Jack Straw, of Essex. The poll-tax imposed by the Parliament in 1381, was levied with great gentleness, insomuch that the collec- tors excused many persons. But as there are but too many who make it their business to enrich themselves at the expence of the public, there were some that per- suaded the King and Council, if the.tax was levied with more strictness, it would bring in much greater sums, and even offered money to have the management of it. Very probably, thev were Flemings that farmed the tax, and obliged themselves to give the King a certain sum for the produce thereof. The new collectors appointed by these Farmers, levied the tax with extreme rigor. One who collected in Kent, demanding of a Tyler at "Deptford, named Walter, four-pence for one of his daughters, the father affirmed she was under the age set u LIFE OF WHITTINGTON. Tale 42* down -in the Act of Parliamet : whereupon the insolent collector fas these sort of people generally were) endea- vouring to know the truth by an indecent motion, the father with his hammer knocked out his brains All tin. spectators applauded the action, and promised the mur- Lrtos commonlv called Wat Tyler, to protect him. At rhe same time, 'the spirit of rebellion seized not the in- habitants of Deptford alone, but likewise all the meaner ,ort of the county of Kent, who were soon followed by those of Iv-sex. The poll-tax was not their sole gnev- ance. The people of those parts had long been in a ferment, which being inflamed by this accident broke ou» tutu open rebellion. They complained of the little .-are to hinder the frequent descents ol the trench, who had committed great ravages in these two counties io tin. was added a general discontent against the Judges, and all the agents of the law, who ruined tamihes by their extortions. The Nobles and Gentry were no less hated by the peasants, on account of the right of vil- aina-e, which was extremely abused. Ihe populace vere moreover extremely incensed against tne Duke of I faster, who was charged with causing, by his negli- gence, all the calamities the two counties had endured All these complaints being spread in those parts, arid countenanced by the seditious, or, as some affirm, by it monks, who thought themselves injured by the poll- tax, to which they were liable, produced a wonderful Set In a short time, Wat Tyler, chosen by the se- ditious, .chief and protector of the poor people, saw him- S f at the head of abo*e a hundred thousand men, bathing revenge on the feWfejr, and Professors 01 tne t; . Thus attended, he marched directly to Won, ^Vccing, in his route, all the prisoners detained m the - nb c ' oals Amongst these was a priest of Maidstone, Siha Ball, who/ by his seditions sermons, raided tne S '. fury to rue 'utmost height, fie persuaded :!hem i; at al men bemg sons of Adam, there oughfto be no distinction, and consequently it was their duty -to reduce the world to i perfect equality, and maue use Tale 42. life or whittington. 1j of the following quaint distich to enforce his absurd opi- nion: When Adam ddv'd, and Eve span, Who was then a Gentleman f Pursuant to this maxim, they resolved to dispatch all the Mobility, and those that were distinguished by their posts. So, without further consideration, they cut off the heads of all the Lords, Gentlemen, Judges, Coun- sellors, and Lawyers, that fell into their hands. After this, they bound themselves by oath, never to acknow- ledge fur King, any man whose name should be John. r i his resolution sprung from their hatred to the Duke of Lancaster, who bore" that name, and was suspected of aspiring to the Crown. Richard hearing the seditious were come as far as Rlackheath, where "Wat Tyler reviewed his army, sent to know what they wanted. They replied, they had aiTairs of great moment to communicate to the king^and desired him to come and talk with them in person. This insolent request being debated in council, some were of opinion, the King should comply with the rebels, alledg- ing, that as he was not in a condition to oppose force to force, gentleness was the only way to gain them. But Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Robert de Hales, Prior of St. John's, and High-Treasurer of England, strenuously opposed it, maintaining it was not safe for the King to trust his person with this rabble. Accordingly, the rebels' request was rejected with threats, little agreeable to the present situation of the court. Upon this news, the seditious fell into such a fury, that immediately they marched towards London, and pos- sessed themselves of Southwark, parted from the City by the Thames. The plunder of the suburbs having '/iven them no great interruption, they endeavoured to enter the city. London-bridge had then gates, which being shut at their approacn, might have stopped for some time their impetuosity, if the mob, who pre- sently sided with them, had not opened them in spue pf, the magistrates, Nothing more opposing their march. 16 LIFE OF WHITTIN'GTON. Tale 42. fcliey entered the City, where they committed aH the ravages that could be expected from so numerous a body, guided solely by their fury. The Duke of Lancaster's palace, the' Savoy, was reduced to ashes ; and the houses of such as they deemed their enemies, were given up to be plundered. However, their leaders pretend- ing not to be swayed by avarice, hindered their people from appropriating to themselves any part of the booty. They even threw into the fire, which consumed all the plundered riches, a man that would have retained a piece of plate. In this universal confusion, wherein. London was like a town taken by storm, the Arch- bishop's Palace, and the Temple, with all the writings kept there, were devoured by the flames, and also the Hospital of St. John of Cierkenwell. Ttfe houses of the Judges, Lords, and pri.icipai Citi2ens, shared the same fate. This unruly mob took care to accomplish' their. Oath, to extirpate all appearances of grandeur or dis- tinction. The Flemings, against whom they were ex- tremely incensed, were above all others exposed to theif fury. 'They dragged them from the churches where they had taken sanctuary, and, upon their not being; able to pronounce certain words, very difficult for fo- reigners, they were immediately massacred. After the rebels had ilmi given these first marks of their fury, they approached the Tower, which might have been easily defended, if the terror spread in the garrison had not caused them to open the gates. There they found the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Trea- surer, who thought themselves safe in that place, and without any process cut ' off their heads. This done, they divided themselves into three bodies. Wat Tyler remained about the Tower with thirty thousand men. Jack Straw (another of their Captains) advanced into the City with the Rebels of Essex, to the number of sixtv thousand. The re^t, under the conduct of another leader, lodged themselves upon Mile-End Green. Mean time, the King and Council were in the utmost perplexitv. After long debates how to stop these fu-' rious proceedings,. no better way was found than to oiler TakA2* LIFE OF WHITTIKGTOK. } ? 1 VI- the rebels an authentic charter, confirming the priv leges of the people, and a general pardon for all crimes'? committed since the insurrection. The Esse? men rea- dily accepted these offers ; though they were now in the I heart of the City. Accordingly, leaving some of their;',; leaders to hasten the charters and pardon, they returned to their homes. But AY at Tyler was not so tractable; though he pre- tended his sole aim was to obtain equitable terms. How- I ever, as he appeared willing to enter into a negociatiou I with the King himself, Kichard, with a few attendants, "! came to Smithficld, from whence he sent a Knight (Sir $ John .Newton) to desire him to come, and confer with I him. Wat insolently replied, he would come when he I thought proper. Nevertheless, he moved forward im- 1 mediately, at the head or his troops ; but so slowly, that I the King, beginning to be out cf patience, and willing ' to press him to make more haste, sent the same Knight I to him, which had like to have cost him his life. Wat ;:;, Tyler was just entered Smithfield, when -the Knight tie- I luered the King's message, without alighting; not-ima-,, giniipg he would stand upon tiiat ceremony. But the I proud leader was so offended at this want of respect, that he was going to kill him, if the King, who was I himself advancing, had not cried out to the Knight to I dismount. In Wat Tyler's conference with the King, being both i on horseback, he made such extravagant proposals, that I Richard knew not what to say to him. fie demanded, in short, that ali the ancient laws should be abolished, I and the government modelled according to certain fan-p tastical notions framed by himself. Whilst he made 1 ; these demands, he now and then lifted up his sword, as I it were to threaten ihe King, in case he granted not im-| mediately what the rebels would have. '1 his brutisii I insolence so raised the indignation of Wiiiuun VVal»l worth, Mayor of .London, who attended the King, that, | without 'considering to what danger he exposed Ins fnas-1 .ter, he discharged such a blow on the rebel's head wltp j his sword, a- laid him dead at his feet. i 13 LIFE OF W K ITTIN GTOK. Tcils 42. This action, no less imprudent than bold, should natu- ■ rally have occasioned the ruin of the King and all his attendants; but, by an unexpected happiness, produced 'a contrary effect. It is true, when the rebels saw their leader on the ground, they encouraged one another to revenge his death. Nay, their bows were now bent to shoot at the King and his retinue. J3ut Richard pre- vented the danger, by a bolder and more prudent action than could be expected from a young Prince of fifteen years. Instead of flying, he turned to the rebels, and cried, with a resolute and courageous voice, " What, my lieges ! will you then kill your King? Be not con- cerned for the loss of your leader; I myself will now ba your general ; follow me into the field, and you shall have whatever you desire." Upon saying these words, he gently turned his 5 horse, and putting himself at their head, rode towards St. George's Fields. The young King's resolution made such 'an impression on the minds of the rebels, that, imagining he really declared for them, they altered their first purpose, and followed him with- out delay. They were no sooner come into the fields, but they saw marching towards them a troop of a thou- sand armed citizen*, raided by the Mayor, under the conduct of Sir Robert Knollcs, an officer of great repu- tation. This sight struck, them with such terror, that, falsely imagining the whole city was in arms to attack them, the foremost " ranks threw down their arms, and begged quarter. This ' proceeding terrifying the rest,' who knew not the cause, every one pressed to follow their example. Thus in a few moments the whole mul- titude was dispersed without the effusion of any blood, but the leader's. ' One cannot, without wonder, consider an event so singular, and full of extraordinary circumstances. An insurrection, indeed, is not so very strange; but to see it headed by such a person as Wat Tyler is not usual, though the like instances may possiblv be found in other h'-tories. But it is doubtless beyond the common course of events, for k single man, as the Mayor of London, to dare to kill thL leader, attended by thirty thousand Tale 42. life of whittikctok. :') men. It is still more surprising, that a young Prince, but fifteen years old, should have the presence of mind, and resolution, shown by Richard on this occasion, and that his boldness should produce so good an effect. In fine, that so numerous a multitude, just glutted with blood and. slaughter, should disperse on a sudden by a panic fear, at the sight of a few armed citizens, is what cannot be considered without astonishment, and with- out ascribing the cause to Him who holds the hearts of the people in his hand. And, indeed, we shall see presently, that no less than a sort of miracle could pre- vent the utter destruction of England, considering the pernicious designs the rebels had formed. It was not only in the counties of Kent and Essex, that the spirit of rebellion possessed the people. Whilst "Wat Tyler and Jack Straw were marching to London, John Ball and John Wraw, two seditious Priests, stirred up the populace of Suffolk, where they quickly assem- bled fifty thousand men. They committed in those parts numberless barbarities, as if they were afraid of being out-done in cruelty, by those who exercised their Jury in London. Sir John Cavendish, Chief Justice, fell a sacrifice to their rage. After that, they burnt all the ancient charters of the Abbey of St. EdmundVBury, and in the University of Cambridge. On the other hand, Littester, an alehouse-keeper at Norwich, headed another body of rebels in the county of Norfolk, and cruelly put to death all the Judges and Lawyers that fell into his hands. As for the Lords and Gentlemen, he had the insolence to oblige them to serve him on the knee ; and if any one scrupled to submit to that indignity, immediately ordered his head to be cut ofF. In this manner he treated the Earl of Suffolk, who would not feign to approve of their rebellion. As it was impossible for the King's Council to take measures speedy enough to remedy these disorders, it was aecesj sary that private persons should of themselves use their endeavours, without staying for orders from Court, to free themselves from the impending danger. Henry •Spencer, Bishop of Norwich, a prelate of great courage, ~° life of wiiittixgton. Tale 42 though educated in an un warlike profession, thought it ins duty to do something more than barely offer urj prayers, on so pressing an occasion, which equally threatened clergy and laity, lie headed a few loyal subjects, and attacking the rebels, made a terrible slaughter. r j he two leaders, Wraw and Littester, be- ing taken m the fight, the first was beheaded upon the spot, and the other sent to London, to receive the just reward of his crimes. These troubles being appeased sooner, and more hap- pily, than could be expected, the King, by advice of his Council, resolved to chastise the guilty. To that end, the Lords had orders to raise, in every county, ■ troops of known loyalty, and lead them to London. In j a short time was drawn together an army of forty thou- sand men, which being divided into two bodies, one * marched into the county of Kent. At the head of the l other the King went himself, to punish the people of Essex, who began to stir again, upon the revocation of ' the charter and general pardon, with which they had 1 been allured. As these people had net time to take < Their measures, but found themselves prevented by the King's diligence, they were easily defeated. Great ' numbers were slain, and many others reserved for pub- < lie examples. Among the last, was Jack Straw, com- j pamon of Wat Tyler, and head of the Essex rebels. 1 He confessed, if they had suceeded in their projects, as ! they had reason to expect, their design was to murder' the King, root out the Nobility and Clergy, excepting 1 the Mendicant Friars, part England into several king- ! doms, make Wat Tyler King of Kent, abolish all the J ancient, and make new laws. Probably these projects I were framed only in general, and it may be, over their bowls, whilst they were on the march to London. Be % that as it will, such a design, managed by heads little I capable of executing it, could hardly fail of ending in ? the ruin of the authors, it is affirmed, that, besides j tll0se ^ fell with their arms in their hands, above Bfr I teen hundred died by the hangman ; the chief of whom founded a Church in Vintry Ward, dedicated to St. Michael. Iiere he built an handsome vault, for the sepulchre of his father and mother-in-law, and the re- mainder of the Fitzwarren family, and where himself and wife lay afterwards. In 14-13, he founded an Alms-house and College in the Vintry, which was afterwards suppressed by order of Council in King Fdward the Vlth's time. But his, Alms-houses on College-Hill remains ; these are under the direction of the Mercer's Company, who allow each pensioner 3s. and lOd. per week. The particulars of the College are as follow. Whittington College was founded on the spot where now stands the Parish-Church of St.. Michael, called Pater-noster Church, in the Royal. This Church was new builded, and made a College of St. Spirit, and St. Mary, founded by Richard Whit- tington, Mercer, four times Mayor, for a Master, four Fellows, Masters of Arts, Clerks, Conducts, Chorists, .&c. and an Alms-house, called God's Mouse or Hos- pital, for thirteen poor Men. One of them to be Tu- tor, and to have 1 6d. the week ; the other twelve each of them to have Nd. the week for ever, with other necessary provision, an hutch with three docks, a com- mon seal, &c. These (as the manner then was) were bound to pray "for the good estate of Richard Whittington, and Alice his Wile, their Founders; and for Sir William Whit- tington, Knight, and Dame Joan his Wife • and for iluuu Fitzwarren, and Dame Molde 'his Wife, the Tak 42. LIFK OF WHITTINGTON. 1>7 Fathers and Mothers of the said Richard Whittington, and Alice his W ife; for King Richard the Second, and Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Glocester, special Lords and Promoters of the said Whittington, &c. It folfows in the will, « For Anne and Eleanor, the Wives of the said King and Duke. Furthermore also for the good heel and staat of our aforesaid Lord [King Henry YF] and Archbishop [Henry Chicheley] that now be, and the Conservators and Benefactors of the same house, while they live ; and for our good staat, while we live ; and for their souls and ours, when they and we be passed out of this world; and generally for them, to whom the said Richard Whittington and Alice were byhold to in any manerwise while we live, and for all Christen soules.'" The licence for this foundation was granted by King Henry IV. the eleventh of his reign ; and in the twelfth of the same King's reign, the Mayor and Commonalty of London granted to Richard Whittington a vacant piece of ground, thereon to build his College in the Royal: All which was confirmed by Henry VI. the third of his reign, to John Coventre, Jenkin Carpenter, and W 7 illiam Grove, Executors to Richard Whittington. This foundation was again confirmed by Parliament the tenth of Henry VI. and was suppressed by the statute of Edward VI. The Alms-houses, with the poor Men, do remain, and are paid by the Mercers. There are extant, in custody of the Mercers, the original ordinances of Richard Whittington's Charity, made by his Executors,Coventre, Carpenter, and Grove, fairly written : where, on the first page, is curiously al- lumined the said Whittington lying on his death-bed, a Very lean consumed meagre body; and his three Exe- cutors, and a Priest, and divers others, standing by his bed-side. They begin thus: " To alls the trew people of Cryst, that shalle se or here the things which be conteyned within these present Letters, John Coventre, Jenkin Carpentre, and William Grove, &c. Executors of the Testament of the worthy and notable Merchaunt Richard Whittington, late C'uczin C 2 2* LIFE OF WHITTItfGTON. Tak 42. snd Mercer of the Cite of London, and oftentimes Meyer of the same Cite, sending gretyng in our Lord God everlasting. " The fervent desire andbcsy intention of a prudent, wvse and devout man, shal be to cast before and make seure the state and thende of the short litfe with dedys of mercy and pitej and namely to provyde for such poure persons, which grevous penure and cruel Fortune have oppressed, and be not of power to gete their lyving either by craft, or bv any other bodily labour : Whereby that, at "the day of the last Judgement, he may take his part with them that shal be saved. This considering the foresaid worthy and notable Merchaunt Richard Whit- tington, the which while he leved had ryght liberal and "large hands to the needy and poure people, charged streitly, in his death-bed, us his foresaid Executors, to ordeyne a House of Almes after his death, for per- petual sustentation of such poure people as is tofore re- newed ; and therupon fully he declared his VV ille unto us. And we wylling after our power to fullfil thentent of his commendable VVille and holesome desire in this cart, as we be bound : " First, Yfounded by us, with sufficient authorite, in the Church of Seint iSlighdls, in the Royolle of Lon- don, where the foresaid Richard and Dame Alice his Wife be biried, a commendable College of certain Prestes and Clerkis, to do there every day divine ser^- vice for the aforesaid Richard and Alice. « We have founded also, after the Wille aboveseid, a Ho ne of Alms for xiii pouer Folk successively for evermore, to dwell and to be sustained in the same House: which House is situated and ediiied upon a cer- tain sovl that we bought therfore, late in the Parish of Seinte'Mighel aforesaid; that is to sav, bytweene the foresaid Church and the wall that closeih in the voyd place behind the heigh auter of the same Church in the southside, and our great Tenement, that was the late House of the aforesaid Richard Wyttington, in the northside. And it stretcheth fro the dwelling-place of the Master and the Pnestis. of the College abovesaid. Tale 42, lifi: of whittikgton. og The which also we did late to be now added in the east side unto a great voyd place of our land. The which by the Help of God we purpose to do be hal- lowed lawfully for a Churchyard to the same Church within short time in the westside. And in the more ful and clere foundation and or- dinaunce, and also stablyng of the forcseid Almeshouse for pouer Men, the Mvght of the Fadre, the wvsdom of the Sonne, and the goodness of the Holv Ghost, fyrst of al ycalled unto our help, we procede in this wise : " Fyrst, both by lycence, graunt and authoritie of the right mighty Prince and Lord K. Henry VI. King of England, of Frauncc that now is ; and also by the will and consent of the ryght worthy Lord and Fadre in Cryst, Henry, by the sufl'eraunre of God, Areh- bivhop of Canterbury, Primate of all England, and Le- gate of the See of Eome, of whose jurisdiction im- mediate be the Church and Parrishe abovesaid ; and the graunt and consent of all and every man, that had any title or interest in this partie, before required and had/' '1 hen the ordinances follow, w hich were these : f To be twelve pouer Folks alonely of Men orWomen togiddre ; after the sad discretion and good conscience of the Overseers underwrit, and Conservators of the same House, to be provided and admitted. " The which every day, when due and convenient time is, shal pray for evermore for al the now being alive, and also for the bypast, to God ; whose names of great specialty been expressed in these statutes un- derwrit. " To be one Principal, which shal pas al other in power and reverence, and be called Tutour. The office and charge of him shal be the goods of the Almes- house, wh.ich shal come to his hands, well and truly to minister; the goods dissevered to gather again togidre, 50 the use of the Almes-hou^e j and the husbandry of! the same House, in as much as he may goodly oversee,, . di spose, or ordain j inforcing himself to ediiie and nourish j charity and peace anions: his Felawes. • ' "C 3 30 life op whittin gton. Tale 42. *' The poor Folks under the said Tutour evermore i shall obey. " The thirteen poor Folkc to be hable in conversa- [tion, and honest in living. " The same House to be called for ever God's House, sor Ahnes-house, or the Hospital of Richard Whyt- tjngton. I The L. Maior to be Overseer of the said Almes- house- and the Keepers of the Commonalty of the Craft of Mercers to be called for evermore Conserva- tors of the foresaid House. i( The Tutour to have a place by himself, that is to say, a Cell, or little House, with a chimney and a hprevy, and other necessaries, in the which he shall ji Iyegge and rest ; and that he may aloon and by himself, without let of any other persoon, intend to the con- templation of God, if he woll. " That the seid Tutour and pouer Folke, whan they be in the aforesaid Houses and Cells, and also in the Cloisters, and other places of the foresaid Almes- houses, have hemselfe quietlie and pesably, without noise or disturbance of hisFelaws; and that they oc- cupy himself in prayer or reading, or in labour of her hondes, fer in some ether occupations, &C 1 ' It endcth thus : " In Witness we have put to our Seals. Gyven at London, the xxi Day of Decemb. in the Yere of our J^ord a thousand CCCC xxiiii. and the Yere of King Jlenry VI. after the Conquest the thrydde. " Go, lite I Boke, go lite L Tregedie, Thee lowly submytting to al Correction Of theym being Maisters now of the Mercery, Olney, Felding, Boleyne, and of Burton : Jierteley theym beseyking with humble Salutation Thee to accept, and thus to take in gre, For evre to be a Servant withyn yeare Comminaltie.''* But further, for the direction of their daily devo- tion, of their eating, and their habitj these were the . appointments and ordinances ; Tale 42. life of wkittington. 31 " Every Tutour and poor Folk every day first whan they rise fro their bedds, kneeling upon their knees-, sey a Pater Noster and an Ave Maria, with special and herty recommendation-makeing of the foresaid Richard Whyttington and Alice to God, and our Wessed Lady Maidyn Mary : And other times of the day, whan he may best and most commody have leisure thereto, for the staat of al the souls abovesaid, say three or two sauters of our Lady at the least ; that is to say, threies seaven Ave Marias, with xv Pater Nosters, and three Credes: But if he be letted with febleness, or any- other reasonable cawse, one in the day at the least, in case it may be • that is to say, after the messe, or when complyn is don, they come togidder within the college about the tomb of the aforesaid Rich. W hyttington and Alice, and they that can sey shal sey, for the souks of the seid Richard and Alice, and for the soules of al Christen People, this Psalm, De Profundis, with the versicles and oriosons that longeth thereto. And they that can shal sey three Pater Nosters, three Ave Marias, and on Crede. And, after this doon, the Tutour, or oon of the eldest Men of theym, shal sey openly in English, God have Mercy on our Founders Souls, and al Chrysten ; and they that stond about shal aunswer and sev, Amen. « That they be bound to dwell and abide continewally in the seid Almes-house, and bounds thereof; and that every day, both at meet and soupier, they eet and be fed within the seid Almes-house; and while they be at meet or soupier, they absteyn thanne from vevn and yde! words; and if they wol' any thyng talk, that it be honest and profitable " That the overclothing of the Tutour and pouer Folk be derk and brown of colour, and not staring ne blaising, and of easy prised, according to their degree These Executors of the Will of Richard YV nittingtort constituted five Chaplains in his College founded in t .is Church; which were confirmed by the King in the third of Henry VI. 52 LIFE- OF W HITTING TON. Talt i%, This Richard Whhtington was (in this: Church) three times buried: first by his Executors, under a fair monument ; then, in the reign of Edward VI. the Par- soil of that Church, thinking some great riches (as he said) to be buried with him, caused his monument to be broken, his body to be spoiled of his leaden sheet, and again the second time to be buried; and in the reign of Queen Mary, the Parishioners were forced to take him up to lap him in lead, as afore, to bury him a third time, and to place bis monument, or the like, over him again ; which remained, and so he rested, till the great fire of London violated his resting-place again. This Church of St. Michael Pater-noster in the Yin- try, the Capital House, and Site thereof, called Whit- tington College, alias Whittington, and one Garden belonging to the same, of the yearly Value of four Pounds, six Shillings, and eight Pence, was sold to Armagill Waad, Clerk of the Council, in the second of Edward VI. for ninety-two Pounds two Shillings. Sir Richard built the gate and prison of Newgate as it formerly stood; gave large sums to Bartholomew's Hospital ;. founded a library in the Grey Friars ; en- dowed Christ's Hospital with a considerable sum ; built Guildhall Chapel, and the East End of the Hall. Dame Alice, his wife, died in the 63d year of her age j after which he never remarried, though he out- lived her near 20 years. At last he died like the pa T triarch, full of age' and honor, leaving a good name to posterity; and the following Epitaph was cut on the upper stone of his vault, and continued perfect till destroyed by the tire of London : M. S. Beneath this stone lies YVhittington, Sir Richard rightly nam'd ; Who three times Lord Mayer serv'd in London ^ In winch he ne'er was blam'd. Tflfc42. LIFE OF WHJTTINGTON. He rose from Indigence to Wealth, By Industry and that, For 'lo ! he scorn'd to gain by stealth, What he got by a Cat. Let none who reads this Verse, despair Of Providence's Ways: Who trust in him, he'll make his Care, And prosper all their Days. Then sing a Requiem to departed merit, ^ _ Afi rest In Peace till dwfcunds thy -bpirrt. THE SLAVES. CNELLGRAYE was the captain of an English vessel ^ in the African slave trade, commendable for his humanity. Custom alone can authorize this commerce, offensive to nature, and not to be carried on but at the utmost peril, since injustice and tyranny generally pro- duce rebellion and despair. For this reason the 'Euro- peans are obliged to put the unhappy Negroes they buy in chains during the night, and most part of the day • notwithstanding which precaution, they often find means to unite, and conspire the destruction of their masters. Snellgrave bought manv Negroes on the banks of the river Kallabar, among whom he observed a young wo- man seemingly overwhelmed with grief: touched with her tears, he desired his interpreter to question her, and learnt she wept for an only child she had lost the evening before. She was taken on board the vessel, and the very same day Snellgrave received an invitation to visit the Kinz of the district. Snellgrave accepted the invitation, but knowing the ferocity of that people, he ordered ten of his sailors and the gunner to accompany him, well armed. He was conducted to some distance from the shore, and found the King placed on an elevated seat under the shade of some trees. The assembly was numerous ; a crowd of Negro Lords surrounded their King ; and his guard, compose d of about fifty men, armed with bows and arrows, the sabre at their side, and the zagaye in their hand, stood at some distance ; the English, with muskets on their shoulders, remained opposite his black Majesty. Snellgrave presented to the King some European trifles. As he was ending his harangue, he heard groans at some little distance that made him shudder, and turning round, perceived a little Negro tied by the leg to a stake stuck in the ground. Two other Negroes, of a hideous aspect, that stood by the side of a hole dug in the earth, armed yj'dh hatchets, and clothed in Talc 43. THE SLAVES. 3> an uncouth manner, seemed to guard the child ; who looked at them weeping, with his little hands raised in a supplicating posture. The King observing the emotion which this strange spectacle evidently caused in SfteUgrave, thought to encourage him, by assuring him, he had nothing to fear from the two Negroes whom he. looked at with so much surprize. It is only, said he, with great gravity, a child, whom we are going to sacrifice to the god Egho for the prosperity of the kingdom. This intelligence made Snellgrave tremble with hor- ror. The English were only twelve men in all ; the court and guard of (he African Prince were all toge- ther above an hundred ; but compassion and humanity' would not suffer Snellgrave to consider all he had to fear from the number and ferocity of the Barbarians. Let us save this wretched child, my lads, said he, turn- ing towards his crew. Come, follow me. 80 saying, he ran to the little Negro, and the Eng- lish, all animated by the same feelings, as hastily fol- lowed. The Negroes, at'seeing this, veiled dismally, snd fell tum'Ultudusly upon the English. Snellgrave* presented his pistol, and seeing the King draw back, demanded to be heard. The King, With a single word, calmed the fury of the Negroes, who stopt nnd remained motionless, while Snellgrave, by means of his interpreter, explained the motives of his conduct, and ended by entreating th« King to sell him the victim. The proposition was ac- cepted, and Snellgrave was determined not to dispute about the price. Happily, however, for him, the Negro King wanted'neither Fold nor silver, was i^no- rant of pearls and diamonds, and, thinking he would be sure to ask enough, demanded a necklace of blue giass beads, which was instantlv given. Snellgrave then immediately flew to the innocent little creature he had snatched from death, and drew his cutlass to divide the cord by which its legs were tied. The frightened child thought Snellgrave was going to kill him, and gave a shriek; but Snellgrave took him in his arms w ith transport, and pressed him 10 30 the slaves. Tale ii his bosom. As soon as the child's fears were removed, he smiled and earessed his deliverer; who, lull of deli- cious sensations, and penetrated with tenderness, took leave of the King, and returned to his ship. When he came on board, he saw the voung Ne- gress whom iie had bought in the morning ; sne waa ill, and sat weeping beside the surgeon, who, not able to persuade her to eat, obliged her to remain in the open air, for fear she should faint again. The moment Sneilgrave and his people passed by her, she turned her head, and perceiving the little Negro in the arms of a .sailor, shrieked, rose, and ran to the child, who knew its mother, called to her, and held out its arms. She clasped her infant to her bosom Every fatal resolution she had formed, her loss of liberty, the dread- ful ills she- had suffered, her projects of despair, all were forgotten — she was a mother, and had found her lost child. She learnt however, from the interpreter, every circumstance of Snellgrave's behaviour ; then, still hold- ing her infant in her arms, she ran and threw herself at her benefactor's leet. Now it is, said she, that I am truly your slave. This night was to have delivered me from bondage ; I held you a tyrant, but you have given me more man life, you have given me back my son ; you are become my i'ather ; he-nceforth be assured 01 my obedience; this infant is a dear and certain pledge. Wftile the woman spoke with all the warmth and energy of the mosst impassioned gratitude, the inter- preter explained her discourse to Sneilgrave, who could nur receive a sweeter reward for his humanity; which, nevertheless, was productive of other good effects. lie had no more than three hundred slaves on board, to whom the young Negress related her adventure, which, when they had heard, after expressing their admi- ration by redoubled plaudits, they promised unbounded submission ; and, in effect, Sneilgrave, during the rest of the voyage, found in them all the respect and obedi- ence a father could receive from his children. [T. Maiden, Sherborne-Lane,