Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-08

couple of steei-clad gentlemen thought
they had a grievance. iances were broken
at Smithfield and battle-axes rang On
buckled armor. I'm excavations conducted
some years ago under the foundations Of
certain houses in Smfthfieid various pieces
of armor and othef knishtly trapping.
were found. -
Besides forming a battle-ground for
love-lo-n knights. the site of, the presen,
market was, famous for. political gather
ngs of every description. 1t was here
that Wat Tyler was treacherously MUIR
dered by Walworth, the lord mayor OF
London. For this crime the present Lon
don lord mayors have a dagger on their
flag. Wat Tyler is usually referred to
in histories as rebel. AS a matter OF
fact. he was one of the first representa-
uves of the people. He appealed against
a ruinouS and unjust tax imposed on
farmers of his time. He came up To
and the people Joined him in his protest
An immense crowd went to SmithfieId
and young King Richard II, June IT, 1881
met Tyler at Smthtield and promised to
redress the grievances. While the mon
arch and the blacksmith were comforting
Tyler happened to put his hand on the
bride of the kings horse. and Sir Will
liam Walworth stabbed the peoples leader
for ''impertinence." While Standish. one OF
the kings knights dispatched him with
treacherous act led the people off to
lslington. somewhat further north. where
they were set upon and dispersed by a
thousand armed men. This was consid-
Tyler has always been regarded as a
rank outlaw But such is the way with
history. which only writes to please the
powers that be- of its day.
In later times Smithfeld was the scene
of many other tragic events. 1t was here
that Henry VIII burned many religious
martyrs who refused to. recognize his
supremacy. 1t was here also that in
Mary's reign many Protestan.s met death
at the stake. while in Elizabeth's day
the Anabaptists and other religious
minded persons preferred flames 10 faith
lessness. On the field of the present mar
ket no less than 271 religious victims
met death at the hands OF the misguided
multitude. One Of the most pathetic OF
these was poor country girl. Joan
Boucher, sort Of English Joan Of Arc
without the military tendency. Arch
bishop Cranmer forced Edward VI to
sign her death warrant though there was
nothing against her but some foolish re-
ligious heresy' few years ago. while
workmen were excavatng in Smithfeld.
they unearthed a large quantity OF
charred human remains. together with
portions of a stake TO which the victims
had been tied The ring bolts were still
in the wood. The site OF this stake is
shown to visitors. while a tablet to the
memory OF the martyrs is let into the
wal, OF St Bartholomew Hospital.
which directly faces the southern or
main entrance TO the market. The table,;
is surrounded by an iron railing. the ends
of which are spread out SO as to repre-
sent flames.
Many other barbarc scenes took place
On the site OF London's great market. 1t
was here that William Wallace. the IA
nous Scotch patriot. was most cruelty
executed. Wallace, it will be remember
ed by those familiar with THE Scottish
Chiefs" was treacherously betrayed to
the English by one of his friends. He
was for some time confined In the Tower
Of London and then. when the english
decided to execute him. they carried out
the murder with the utmost cruelty. He
was dragged behind horses in chains from
the tower. and then hanged on a gibbet
in Smithfield While still conscious he
was drawn and quartz red"--one of the
most barbarous and uncivilized of punish
ments.
1t is remarkable. that Smithfield has
always BEEN associated with inhuman