EVIL MAY DAY (1517).
Riots were by no means infrequent in the City in the Middle Ages, and here is an account of a typical disturbance, in which, of course, the young and hot-headed apprentices took their share. Just at this time there was intense animosity against the foreign merchants and artisans; the citizens thought that the presence of the foreigners, pursuing their occupations within the walls, was not only harmful to their own interests, but a violation of their charters which had given them the privilege of exclusive trade. At last the common indignation broke out in the great riot of May Day, 1517, which was long remembered as Evil May Day. It had been for centuries a practice of the citizens to collect in bands on May Day to hold high holiday, and they would sally forth, headed by mock officers, into the neighbouring fields to indulge in various sports; on this particular occasion the holiday spirit was not turned to such innocent and harmless purposes.
The young and evil disposed people said, they would be revenged on the merchant strangers, as well as on the artificersstrangers. On Monday the morrow after, the King removed to his manor of Richmond.
Upon this rumour the 28th day of April, divers young men of the City assaulted the Aliens as they passed by the streets, and some were stricken and some buffeted, and some thrown in the canal. Wherefore the Mayor sent divers persons to ward, as Stephen Studley skinner, and Bettes and Stephenson and divers other, some to one counter, and some to another and some to Newgate. Then suddenly was a common secret rumour, and no man could tell how it began, that on May day next, the City would rebel and slay all aliens, insomuch as divers strangers fled out of the City....
Then in all haste, every Alderman sent to his Ward that no man should stir after 9 of the clock out of his house but to keep his doors shut, and his servants within till 7 of the clock in the morning. After this commandment, Sir John Monday, Alderman, came from his Ward, and found two young men in Cheap playing at Bucklers, and a great company of young men looking on them for the commandment was then scarce known, for then it was but 9 of the clock. Master Monday seeing that, bade them leave, and the one young man asked him why? and then he said Thou shalt know, and took him by the arm to have had him to the counter. Then all the young men resisted the Alderman and took him from Master Monday, and cried 'Prentices and clubs. Then out at every door came clubs and weapons and the Alderman fled, and was in great danger. Then more people arose out of every quarter, and out came serving men, and water men and courtiers, and by 9 of the clock there were in Cheap 6 or 7 hundred. And out of Paul's Churchyard came 3 hundred, which wist not of the other, and so out of all places they gathered, and brake up the counters, and took out the prisoners, that the Mayor had thither committed for hurting of the strangers, and came to Newgate and took out Studley and Petyt, committed thither for that cause. The Mayor and Sheriffs were there present, and made proclamation in the King's name, but nothing was obeyed. Thus they ran a plump through Saint Nicholas Shambles, and atSaint Martins gate, there met with them Sir Thomas Moore and other, desiring them to go to their lodgings: And as they were entreating, and had also brought them to a stay: The people of Saint Martins threw out stones and bats and hurt divers honest persons, that were persuading the riotous people to cease, and they bade them hold their hands, but still they threw out bricks and hot water. Then a sergeant of arms called Nicholas Dounes, which was there with Master Moore, entreating them, being sore hurt, in a fury cried Down with them. Then all the misruled persons ran to the doors and windows of Saint Martin, and spoiled all that they found, and cast it into the street, and left few houses unspoiled. And after that they ran heading into Cornhill by Leadenhall to the house of one Mutuas a Frenchman or Picardy born, which was a great bearer of Frenchmen, where they pick purses, or how evil disposition soever they were of, and within his gate, called Grenegate, dwelled divers Frenchmen that calendared worsted, contrary to the King's laws: and all they were so born out by the same Mutuas, yet no man durst meddle with them, wherefore he was sore hated, and if the people had found him in their fury, they would have stricken off his head: but when they found him not, the watermen, and certain young priests that were there fell to rifling: some ran to Blanche-chapelton, and brake the strangers houses, and threw shoes and boots into the street. This from 10 or 11 of the clock, continued these riotous people during which time a knight called Sir Thomas Parr, in great haste went to the Cardinal and told him of this riot, which incontinent strengthened his house with men and ordnance. And after, this knight rode to the King to Richmond, and made the report much more than it was. Wherefore the King hastily sent to London and was truly advised of the matter, and how the riot was ceased, and many of the doers apprehended. But while this ruffling continued, Sir Richard Cholmeley knight, Lieutenant of the Tower, no great friend to the City, in a frantic fury loosed certain pieces of ordnance, and shot into the City, which did little harm, howbeit his good will appeared. About 3 of the clock, theseriotous persons severed and went to their places of resort, and by the way they were taken by the Mayor and the heads of the City, and some sent to the Tower, and some to Newgate, and some to the Counters, to the number of 300; some fled, and specially the watermen and priests, and serving men, but the poor prentices were taken. About five o'clock, the Earls of Shrewsbury and Surrey, which had heard of this riot, came to London with such strength as they had, so did the Inns of Court, and divers noble men: but before they came all the riot was ceased, and many taken as you have heard.