THE POPULACE OF LONDON RISE AGAINST THE KING'S OFFICERS.—THEY INHUMANLY MURDER THE BISHOP OF GLOCESTER, AND IMPRISON THE MARQUIS OF SUFFOLK,—BUT THE KING SETS HIM AT LIBERTY.
ABOUT the end of Lent, in this year, there was a great commotion of the populace in the city of London, headed by the mayor of that city. Instigated by their evil inclinations, they inhumanly murdered the bishop of Glocester, keeper of the king's privy seal,—a good plain man, and very learned. They also arrested the marquis of Suffolk, who was a great lord, and imprisoned him in the tower of London. This mayor had great influence in the city; and, wherever he went, a sword was borne before him.
The king was, at the moment, three miles distant from London, at one of his palaces on the Thames, and greatly astonished when told what was going forward in London. He instantly sent for the lieutenant of the tower, who lost no time in obeying this order; and, after having heard a true account of what had been done by the mob, he commanded him to bring the marquis of Suffolk in safety to him, without delay, or that his own life should answer for it.
The lieutenant found means of delivering the marquis of Suffolk without the knowledge of the mayor or people, and of carrying him to the king's presence. After a short conversation, the king made the marquis mount his horse and fly toward the northern part of his kingdom, where he might find convenient means for passing over to France. He was, however, met by some of the duke of Somerset's men, who cut off his head, and sent it, with the body, to London.
In the mean time, the king summoned the mayor and townsmen of London before him. They were much discontented that he had set the marquis at liberty, and insisted that those of his council who had advised his deliverance should be given up to them, which was done for fear of enraging the populace still more, who instantly had them beheaded. Thus for some time were the citizens appeased[147].