Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
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120 THE STORY OF A TAX.<br />
surprising to find all his popularityconverted so quickly<br />
into the greatestodium, which led the very persons whom<br />
he had benefited in every possible way to commit<br />
ungrateful excesses culminatinginhis murder.<br />
From everypart of the surroundingcountry came pouringinto<br />
Thirsk bandsof rough woldsmen,who, incited by<br />
leaders, wore white roses in their hats, and were wrought<br />
up to a high pitch of excitementby the harangues of one<br />
of their demagogues who addressed the congregated<br />
crowds from the Market Cross. Inanintemperate though<br />
eloquent address, he drew a vivid picture of the wrongs<br />
to which they were subjected by the infamous tax, and<br />
more than hinted that the Earl of Northumberlandwas<br />
the prime cause of the levy. The insinuation found an<br />
echo in the thought of the multitude. It passed from one<br />
to another with such variations and additions that it<br />
became received as a stated truth, until the rage of the<br />
crowd breaking beyond all restraint, they shouted with<br />
ferocious vehemence, " A boon for the head of Percy!<br />
A boon for the head of Percy!" The incensed passions<br />
of the rabble found animmediatevent in the destruction<br />
of the beautiful stained-glass window which bore the<br />
Percy arms in the Church of St. Columbs, of which the<br />
fragments were thrown to the winds. TheMarket Cross,<br />
also the gift of the Percys, and from which the denunciatory<br />
speech was made, was levelled with the ground.<br />
This done, " To the Castle!" was thecry, and the infuriated<br />
mob swept in the direction ofthe " Maiden Bower."<br />
In the meantime Northumberland remained alone,<br />
except for his servants,in the Castle. The Countess of<br />
Northumberlandwas at SpofforthCastle withherchildren,<br />
and from that place she had sent Lord Rivers and Lord<br />
Pembroke, entreating him to abandon the Manor House<br />
and join her at Spofforth until the popular tumult had<br />
subsided, but in vain. He expressed his unshakable<br />
resolve to remain at his seat, be the consequences what<br />
they might, being of such a proud spirit that he could<br />
not bear to turn his back in flight upon his base and<br />
J