n of Wat Tyler. Farther
on, and farther yet, the eye wandered over tower and gate, and arch
and spire, with frequent glimpses of the broad sunlit river, and the
opposite shore crowned by the palace of Lambeth, and the Church of St.
Mary Overies, till the indistinct cluster of battlements around the
Fortress-Palatine bounded the curious gaze. As whatever is new is for
a while popular, so to this pastime-ground, on the day we treat of,
flocked, not only the idlers of Westminster, but the lordly dwellers of
Ludgate and the Flete, and the wealthy citizens of tumultuous Chepe.

The ground was well suited to the purpose to which it was devoted.
About the outskirts, indeed, there were swamps and fish-pools; but a
considerable plot towards the centre presented a level sward, already
worn bare and brown by the feet of the multitude. From this, towards
the left, extended alleys, some recently planted, intended to afford,
in summer, cool and shady places for the favourite game of bowls; while
scattered clumps, chiefly of old pollards, to the right broke the space
agreeably enough into detached portions, each of which afforded its
separate pastime or diversion. Around were ranged many carts, or wagons;
horses of all sorts and value were led to and fro, while their owners
were at sport. Tents, awnings, hostelries, temporary buildings, stages
for showmen and jugglers, abounded, and gave the scene the appearance of
a fair; but what particularly now demands our attention was a broad plot
in the ground, dedicated to the noble diversion of archery. The reigning
House of York owed much of its military success to the superiority of
the bowmen under its banners, and the Londoners themselves were jealous
of their reputation in this martial accomplishment. For the last fifty
years, notwithstanding the warlike nature of the times, the practice of
the bow, in the intervals of peace, had been more neglected than seemed
wise to the rulers. Both the king and his loyal city had of late taken
much pains to enforce the due exercise of "Goddes instrumente," [So
called emphatically by Bishop Latimer, in his celebrated Sixth Sermon.]
upon which an edict had declared that "the liberties and honour of
England principally rested!"

And numerous now was the attendance, not only of the citizens,
the burghers, and the idle populace, but of the gallant nobles who
surrounded the court of Edward IV., then in the prime of his youth,--the
handsomest, the gayest,