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| riots in london | |
| 1517 in england | |
| 16th century in london | |
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A fortnight before the riot an inflammatory Xenophobic Easter Tuesday speech was made by a Dr. Bole (or Beal or Bell) at St. Mary Spital or St. Paul's Cross . The exact date of the riot is disputed by historians. Some say it happened on the night of 30th April although others claim it was on 1st May itself. The estimated number of rioters is also disputed, with some claiming nine hundred took part to some claiming over two thousand. The rioters were led by a man named John Lincoln. Apprentices aged fourteen to twenty-two, armed with clubs, forced the authorities of Newgate Prison to release other fellow apprentices who had been arrested following their consipiracy to attack foreign workers. They then proceeded throughout many parts of London to break the doors and windows of wealthy foreign merchants and workers in the city. However there are no records of anyone being murdered. The rioters closed the city gates to prevent the King's guard from being reinforced and then temporarily took control over the city. King Henry VIII was woken up in the middle of the night at his residence in Richmond and was told of the mayhem ensuing in the capital. Thomas More , then an undersheriff, tried to calm the rioters but to no avail. Then forces under the command of the Duke Of Norfolk (or the Earl Of Shrewsbury and Duke OfSuffolk ) and his son the Earl Of Surrey reconquered the city and restored order. By 5th May there were over five thousand troops in London. Sir Thomas Seymour was Sheriff during Evil May Day and he helped repress the riot and thereafter became unpopular with many. Also disputed is the number of people hanged. Some claim only fifteen of the ringleaders, including Lincoln, were hanged whilst others claim sixty were hanged on the orders of Cardinal Wolsey . On the 19th May approximately four or five hundred of the rioters were due to be hanged for High Treason and were taken to the great hall of Westminster to hear King Henry VIII condemn them to death. Then the prisoners, with halters around their necks, cried "mercy, mercy" to the King and were subsequently pardoned by him after pressure from Queen Catherine Of Aragon and Cardinal Wolsey . According to some reports they 'leapt for joy' and threw their halters into the air making a great commotion. The observance of May Day after this was curtailed. |
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