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that time belonged to the Lord High
Treasurer; that edifice they also burnt, with
all the records in Chancery, and the books
and papers belonging to the students of the
law; and all the inns of court they served
in the same manner.
After this, dividing themselves into
three bodies, one proceeded to the rich
priory of St. John of Jerusalem, near
Smithfield, which they likewise burnt;
and then marching to the stately mansion
house at Highbury, beyond Islington, set
fire to that edifice, through hatred to Sir
Robert Hales, the High Treasurer, who
was prior of the one, and proprietor of
the other.
The second division marched to the
Tower, which they entered, notwith-
standing its being guarded by six hundred
men at arms, and the same number of
archers, and there seizing Simon Sudbury,
Archbishop of Canterbury, and the above
Sir Robert Hales, caused then both to be
beheaded on Tower hill.
The third division, which were the
Essex party, proceeded to Mile-end, where
being met by the King, who agreed to all
their demands, they the same day dispersed,
and returned home.
Wat Tyler, with the rest of his despe-
rate crew, however, continued commit-
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ting the greatest disorders in London and
Westminster, and, under the plausible pre-
tence of reforming public abuses, they set
open the prisons of the Fleet and New-
gate, murdered many of the most eminent
citizens, and dragging the Flemish mer-
chants from the churches, where they had
fled for refuge, beheaded them in the
streets. Nor did their monstrous cruelty
stop here; for they proceeded murdering
and burning in a most horrid manner in
many parts of the city; and not only made
proclamation for the beheading of all
lawyers, and persons concerned in the Ex-
chequer, but even of all who were able to
write.
At length King Richard, encouraged
by his success at Mile-end, sent to let
Wat Tyler know that he would have a
conference with him in Smithfield, upon
which that rebel marched slowly thither,
at the head of his forces; but no sooner
saw the King, than setting spurs to his
horse, he boldly rode up to his Majesty,
leaving all his companions behind. His
behaviour and proposals were equally bru-
tish and absurd, for he would be satisfied
with nothing less than a commission to
behead all lawyers, and the abolition of
all the ancient laws of the kingdom; at
which, William Walworth, the Lord
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