e with him. Richard sailed down the river in a barge for that
purpose; but on his approaching the shore, he saw such symptoms
of tumult and insolence, that he put back and returned to that
fortress.[**]

* Froissard, liv. ii. chap. 74.

** Froissard, liv. ii. chap 75.

The seditious peasants, meanwhile, favored by the populace of London,
had broken into the city; had burned the duke of Lancaster's palace of
the Savoy; cut off the heads of all the gentlemen whom they laid hold
of; expressed a particular animosity against the lawyers and attorneys;
and pillaged the warehouses of the rich merchants.[*] A great body of
them quartered themselves at Mile End; and the king, finding no
defence in the Tower, which was weakly garrisoned and ill supplied with
provisions, was obliged to go out to them and ask their demands. They
required a general pardon, the abolition of slavery, freedom of commerce
in market towns without toll or impost, and a fixed rent on lands,
instead of the services due by villainage. These requests, which, though
extremely reasonable in themselves, the nation was not sufficiently
prepared to receive, and which it was dangerous to have extorted by
violence, were, however, complied with; charters to that purpose were
granted them; and this body immediately dispersed, and returned to their
several homes.[**]

During this transaction, another body of the rebels had broken into the
Tower; had murdered Simon Sudbury, the primate and chancellor, with Sir
Robert Hales, the treasurer, and some other persons of distinction; and
continued their ravages in the city.[***]

* Froissard, liv. ii, chap. 76. Walsing. p. 248, 249.

** Froissard, liv. ii chap. 77.

*** Walsing, p. 250, 251.

[Illustration: 1_239_tyler.jpg WAT TYLER]

The king, passing along Smithfield, very slenderly guarded, met with Wat
Tyler at the head of these rioters, and entered into a conference with
him. Tyler, having ordered his companions to retire till he should give
them a signal, after which they were to murder all the company except
the king himself, whom they were to detain prisoner, feared not to come
into the midst of the royal retinue. He there behaved himself in such
a manner, that Walworth, the mayor of London, not able to bear his
insolence, drew his sword, and struck him so violent a blow as brought
him to the ground, where he was instantly despatched by others of the
king's attendants. The mutineers,