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Document-specific information
Creator: Simon Forman
Title: The Bocke of Plaies and Notes therof per forman for Common Pollicie
Date: 1611
Repository: Bodleian Library, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
Call number and opening: MS Ashmole 208, fol. 200-207v
[fol. 201r]
In Richard the 2 at the Globe 1611 the 30 of April, Tuesday
Remember therein how Jack Straw by his overmuch boldness, not being politic nor suspecting anything, was suddenly at Smithfield Bars stabbed by Walworth, the mayor of London, so he and his whole Army was overthrown. Therefore in such a case or the like, never admit any party without a bar between, for a man cannot be too wise, nor keep himself too safe.
Also remember how the Duke of Gloucester, the Earl of Arundel, Oxford, and others, crossing the king in his humor about the Duke of Erland and Bushy, were glad to fly and raise a host of men. And being in his castle, how the Duke of Erland came by night to betray him with 300 men, but having privy warning thereof, kept his gates fast and would not suffer the enemy to enter, which went back again with a fly in his ear, and after was slain by the Earl of Arundel in the battle.
Remember also: when the duke and Arundel came to London with their army, King Richard came forth to them and met them and gave them fair words. And promised them pardon and that all should be well if they would discharge their army. Upon whose promises and fair speeches they did it, and after the king bid them all to a banquet and so betrayed them and cut off their heads etc., because they had not his pardon under his hand and seal before, but his word.
[fol. 201r]
In Richard the 2 At the glob
1611 the 30 of Aprill / [planetary symbol for Tuesday]
Remember therin howe Iack strawe by his overmoch
boldnes not beinge pollitick nor suspecting Anye
thinge. was Soddenly at Smithfeld Bars
stabbed by Walworth the maior of London
soe he and his wholle Army was overthrowen
Therefore in such a case or the like, never ad
mit any party without a bar betwen for A man
Cannot be to wise, nor kepe him selfe to safe.
Also remember howe the duke of gloster. The Erell
of Arundell Oxford and others. crossing the kinge
in his humor. about the duke of Erland and Bushy
wer glad to fly and Raise an hoste of men. and
beinge in his Castell. howe the D of Erland cam by
nighte to betray him with 300 men. but hauinge
pryuie warninge ther of kept his gates faste
And wold not suffer, the Enimie to Enter, which
went back Again with a flie in his eare. and after
was slainte by the Errell of Arundell in the battell
Remember also: when the duke and Arundell cam to
London with their Army. kinge Richard came forth to
them and met them and gaue them fair wordes. And
promised them pardon and that all should be
well yf they wold discharge their Army. Vpon.
whose promises and faier Speaches they did yt and
Affter the king byd them all to A banket and soe
betraid them And Cut of their heades &c because
they had not his pardon vnder his hand & sealle be
fore but his worde/
