oice but to yield. For the second time Wat
Tyler and Richard met face to face. The conference was held at Smithfield,
in the square outside St. Bartholomew's Priory. The King and two hundred
retainers, with Walworth the mayor, were on the east side of the square.
Tyler and his army were on the west side, opposite the Priory.

In the open space Tyler, mounted on a little horse, presented his demands;
more sweeping were the reforms now asked for than those of the previous
day.

"Let no law but the law of Winchester[38] prevail throughout the land, and
let no man be made an outlaw by the decree of judges and lawyers. Grant
also that no lord shall henceforth exercise lordship over the commons; and
since we are oppressed by so vast a horde of bishops and clerks, let there
be but one bishop in England; and let the property and goods of Holy Church
be divided fairly according to the needs of the people in each parish,
after in justice making suitable provision for the present clergy and
monks. Finally, let there be no more villeins in England, but grant us all
to be free and of one condition."

Richard answered that he promised readily all that was asked, "if only it
be consistent with the regality of my Crown." He then bade the commons
return home, since their requests had been granted.

Nobles and counsellors stood in sullen and silent anger at the King's
words, but were powerless to act. Tyler, conscious of victory, called for a
draught, and when his attendant brought him a mighty tankard of ale, the
rebel leader drank good-humouredly to "King Richard and the Commons." A
knight in the royal service, a "valet of Kent," was heard to mutter that
Wat Tyler was the greatest thief and robber in all the county, and Tyler
caught the abusive words, drew his dagger, and made for the man.

Mayor Walworth, as angry as the nobles at the King's surrender, shouted
that he would arrest all who drew weapons in the King's presence; and on
Tyler striking at him impatiently, the Mayor drew a cutlass and slashed
back, wounding Tyler in the neck so that he fell from his horse. Before he
could recover a footing, two knights plunged their swords into him, and
Tyler, mortally wounded, could only scramble on to his little horse, ride a
yard or two, call on the commons to avenge him, and then drop--a dead
man.[39]

And with Wat Tyler's death the whole rebellion collapsed. Confusion fell
upon the people at Smithfield. Some were for immediate atta