Thomas Lodge - Broadview Press Publisher's Blog

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The bailiffs of London, according to their
authority, seeing matters were grown to such
extremity, kept diligent and strong watch, drawing
some of the commons from him by fair words,
and some by gifts. This notwithstanding, William
was never unattended. The Council, who every
ways were vigilant to root out this viper from the
commonweal, what they could not by proves, 1
they adventured by policy, 2 animating divers
valiant men with huge promises to mark his
manners, and when the occasion was offered, to
apprehend him at such time as he little suspected.
But long was it ere 3 they either could find opportunity,
or catch the fox in his form. 4 Yet at last,
when he least suspected, they caught him tardy 5 in
Bread Street, attended only by ten or twelve; at
which time, they drawing their swords assailed him
valiantly.
But he, who in all conflicts of fortune was
both confident and courageous, first animated
his retinue to the fight, and after that wresting
himself by main force out of their hands, he
took him to flight towards the heart of the city,
and ran into Cheapside. They, who were busied
against his poor followers, seeing him fled, gave
over fight, and earnestly pursued him. By this
time, the city was in an uproar: the poorer sort
laboured to rescue William; the bailiffs with the
best citizens armed them to back the King’s officers.
So that the city was altogether up in arms.
William Longbeard seeing himself hotly pursued,
and knowing no mean to escape, stepped to a
poor carpenter who stayed in Cheap for work,
and, taking his axe from him, desperately assailed
his pursuers, and with his own hands valiantly
slew some of them. But when he perceived the
factions of his enemies to be great, and his
friends well nigh tired, he betook himself at last
1 proves perhaps, “proofs” in the sense of legal evidence of wrongdoing.
2 policy stratagem, trick, underhanded device.
3 ere before.
4 form lair.
5 caught him tardy overtook him; took him unawares or unprepared.
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into Bow Church, 6 not for his sanctuary, 7 but for
a bulwark of his safety.
Thither repaired all the poor commons, some
with bats, some with spits, and such weapons as they
had, driving away all the King’s officers in despite of
their friends, and determining with themselves
rather to die than to lose their William Longbeard.
Amongst the rest, Maudeline his minion knowing
that his wrack was her ruin, came unto him, where
weeping mild tears from her immodest eyes, she
mollified his marble heart, that (as some testify) he
was more moved therewith than with the threats and
terrors of his greatest enemies. But see impiety
where it prevaileth, how it worketh. That church
which was sacred to prayers was now made a den of
rebels; those places which were reserved to holy
uses, were now soiled with dishonest abuses; where
before Our Lady 8 was prayed to, lewdness was
played withal. But to bring these causes to their
catastrophe, sufficeth it that darkness for this time
ended the dissension, and the coming on of the
night, wrought also the conclusion of the fight.
How William with the Long Beard after
Long Trouble Was Taken by the King’s
Officers, and Executed for his
Misdemeanours. [Chapter 5].
No sooner ’gan the hours draw forth the burnished
chariot of the sun, and the star that beautifieth
the morning’s break shut up her beams in the
bowels of the hidden hemisphere, but Richard
and his Council, ascertained of that which was
happened, commanded the bailiffs of the city by
express letters to ferret him out of his hole and
cease the tumults by their authorities; for which
cause, the bailiffs, attended by a bold troop of
men in harness, 9 came into Cheap. The eldest of
6 Bow Church The Church of St Mary-le-Bow (St Mary de Arcubus);
located on the S side of Cheapside, E of Bread Street.
7 sanctuary A person who fled into a church could claim sanctuary,
immunity from arrest for certain crimes, but only while he/she
remained within the sacred precincts of the church.
8 Our Lady the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.
9 men in harness armed men; men in armour.