PEASANT REVOLTS 117 



what was going on. They dragged him from his horse 

 and with their swords " thrust him through in divers 

 places of his body so as he died there in his place." ^ 



For this act Walworth and his fellows were loaded 

 with rewards, and their names handed down to pos- 

 terity with honourable mention ; but it was nevertheless 

 a dastardly one. Wat Tyler was at the head, not of 

 a mob, but an organized force. He was a leader in a 

 position to treat, and to make terms, and to see that 

 those terms were carried out. He came alone — with- 

 out even a bodyguard — practically unarmed, to a parley 

 arranged by the king himself and at his invitation. 

 In this position his person, at least, should have been 

 respected. Admitting the doubtful charge of insolence, 

 his death under the circumstances was nothing less 

 than a treacherous and cowardly murder, which should 

 be regarded with horror rather than approbation. 

 The force he led was under full discipline, but a 

 discipline which was not the result of drill, but of 

 absolute obedience to a trusted leader. The leader 

 dead, and none to take his place, confusion and panic 

 ensued ; resistance was at an end and the insurgents 

 fled. 



The demands of the rebels were moderate and 

 reasonable. As formulated they were : (i) That they 

 should be free from servitude and bondage and from 

 thenceforth there should be no bondmen ; (2) That 

 the king would give them a general pardon and 

 "graunt them peace"; (3) That all men should be 

 free to buy and sell in all the markets of the realme ; 

 (4) That no land in England holden in bondage or 

 service should be holden but for 46. 



This 4d. per acre was not rent in the modern sense 



^ Sir John Bakers " Chronicles." 



