126 LAND REFORM 



Their aspirations never went beyond this. But in the 

 villages throughout the country, in season and out of 

 season, with his life in his hand, John Ball had for 

 years been teaching and explaining to listening crowds 

 a higher doctrine, strange and new to them — that of 

 human liberty and the equality of human rights. 



The written messages which this " hedge priest " 

 sent to the people had an unbounded effect on those 

 to whom they were addressed, and who perfectly 

 understood the figurative allusions with which these 

 messages abound. In a seemingly hopeless enter- 

 prise this poor preacher never lost heart, never gave 

 an uncertain note or fell from his high ideal. ^ 



In all parts the poor peasantry received and pored 

 over, with greedy and excited interest, such messages 

 as the following : — 



" John Ball gretyth you wele and doth gow to 

 understande he hathe rungen your belle . . . stonde 

 manlyche tojedyr in trewth and helpe ye trewthe and 

 trewthe schal helpe gowe. Now regneth pride in pris 

 and covetys is held wys, and lecherye withouten shame 

 and glotonye withouten blame." Again : — " Now 

 nereth the day, for if the end be well then alle is well. 

 Let Piers the plowman stay at home and dyght us 

 corne and I will go with you and help that ye may be 

 dyght your mete and your drynke that ye none fayle 

 ... for ye have grete nede to take God with youe in 

 alle youre dedes. For now is time to be war." 



Some of these letters referred to imaginary persons, 



^ These curious letters are given by Walsingham and other chroni- 

 clers, but can be found together in their different versions in Lingard's 

 " History of England," V^ol. IV, pp. 58, 239, and in Sharon Turner's 

 " History of England," Vol. IV, p. 580. The most curious version per- 

 haps is that given in Knyghton's Chronicle. See "Rolls Publication," 

 edited by Dr. Luniby. 



