A HISTORY OF SUFFOLK 



at the sound of the alarum bells. Suffolk assembled his men, retainers, and 

 county gentlemen, but they refused to draw on the rioters. 1 They broke 

 down the bridges, however, and waited near Bury for Norfolk to come up, 

 when negotiations at once began. John Spryng, of Lavenham, with 

 his brother-in-law, Sir Thomas Jermyn, went willingly from the duke to 

 treat with the rebels, and persuaded the labourers that their only safety now lay 

 in complete submission. Those of Lavenham and Brent Eleigh came in their 

 shirts and kneeled for mercy, saying they were the king's subjects and had 

 committed this offence for lack of work. Norfolk aggravated their offence 

 purposely to frighten them, took four hostages, and sent a message to the 

 other towns to warn them to be at Bury by seven the next morning or else 

 be treated as rebels. The danger which had been averted was great, for the 

 whole of the eastern counties were ready to rise. The four hostages were to 

 be indicted for high treason, and were sent finally before the council, where 

 they were released, wily Wolsey himself going bail for them as another 

 Suffolk man. But though crushed the county was not quieted. The treaty with 

 France interfered with the wool trade and the workers were adrift on the 

 county. Sir Robert Drury got hold of certain rioters in March, 1528, and 

 on examination at Bury 3 John Davy, the leader, said that he and others had 

 arranged to go up to the king and cardinal with as many men as they could 

 assemble and beseech a remedy for the living of poor men. Norfolk recom- 

 mended severity and asked that they might be hanged. Next month, 

 April, Norfolk hinted that the people would soon be asking for the repay- 

 ment of the loan money ' a thing more to be feared than any other, for it is so 

 much desired.' The Parliament of 1530 disappointed that growing hope, for 

 by it the king was released from repayment and in return granted a general 

 pardon to all rioters. But pardons do not fill empty stomachs. In the 

 meantime Henry was embroiled with wife and pope, and later with his 

 people over the question of his divorce. Anne Boleyn was crowned in May, 

 1533, and at her coronation Sir William Drury, Sir John Jernyngham, and 

 Sir Thomas Russhe were made knights of the Sword, Sir Thomas Jermy a 

 knight of the Bath, 3 and William Waldegrave was knighted. 



The passing of the Act of Succession in 1534 outraged the county while 

 it was forced to submit. Sir William Waldegrave, 4 John Spryng, and Robert 

 Crane had the unenviable task of enforcing it. In vino veritas, and Margaret 

 Ellys of St. Clairs Bradfield 6 spoke the truth as all men knew it when, in her 

 cups as she pleaded, she said Anne was no queen but a naughty whore, and 

 cried ' God save Queen Katharine.' In Suffolk the duke of Norfolk managed 

 the king's affairs, and for the Parliament of 1536 he had arranged that such 

 knights should be chosen as would serve his highness according to his 

 pleasure. His pleasure was the suppression of the smaller monasteries, which 

 inoculated the county gentlemen with land fever and added further to the 

 distress of the poor. The Lincoln rebellion sent Suffolk, the favourite, north 

 in command of the troops, while Norfolk remained behind to settle the 

 county and call out the levies. From Stoke 6 he directed operations and calmed 

 the ' light ' young clothiers, making such harsh words in Hadleigh, Boxford, 



1 Hall, Chroti. (1809), p. 699. 

 * Ibid, vi, No. 1494. 

 5 Ibid, viii, No. 196. 



1 80 



1 L. and P. Hen. rill, iv (ii), No. 4012. 

 4 Ibid, vii, No. 689. 

 Ibid, ix, No. 625. 



