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ment of persons of the highest rank; a
remarkable instance of which is inserted
in Hall's Chronicle, under the year 1515,
when that author observes, that King
Henry VIII. and Queen Catharine, ac-
companied by many Lords and Ladies,
rode a maying from Greenwich to the
high ground of Shooter's Hill, where, as
they passed along, they saw a company of
200 tall yeomen, all cloathed in green,
with green hoods and bows and arrows.
One, who was their Chieftain, was called
Robin Hood, and desired the King and all
his company to stay and see his men shoot,
to which the King agreeing, he whistled,
and all the two hundred discharged their
arrows at once, which they repeated on
his whistling again. Their arrows had
something placed in the heads of them
that made them whistle as they flew, and
all together made a loud and very uncom-
mon noise, at which the King and Queen
were greatly delighted. The gentleman
who assumed the character of Robin Hood
then desired the King and Queen, with
their retinue, to enter the Green Wood,
where, in arbours made with boughs
intermixed with flowers, they were plen-
tifully served with venison and wine, by
Robin Hood and his men.
About two years after an event happen-
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ed, which occasioned the epithet of Evil
to be added to this day of rejoicing.
The citizens being extremely exasperated
at the encouragement given to foreigners,
a Priest named Bell was persuaded to
preach against them at the Spital, and in
a very inflaming sermon he incited the
people to oppose all strangers; this occa-
sioned frequent quarrels in the streets, for
which some Englishmen were committed
to prison.
Suddenly a rumour arose, that on May-
day all the foreigners would be assassinated,
and several strangers fled; this coming
to the knowledge of the King's Council,
Cardinal Wolsey sent for the Lord Mayor
and several of the City Council, told them
what he had heard, and exhorted them
to preserve the peace. Upon this affair a
court of Common Council was assembled
at Guildhall, on the evening before May-
day, in which it was resolved to order
every man to shut up his doors and keep
his servants at home; and this advice be-
ing immediately communicated to the
Cardinal, met with his approbation.
Upon this every Alderman sent to in-
form his ward, that no man should stir out
of his house after nine o'clock, but keep
his doors shut and his servants within, till
nine in the morning. This order had not
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