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| Traitors' head spiked on London Bridge Public Domain |
Jack
Cade was, allegedly, of Irish origin, although he grew up in Sussex.
It's claimed he was originally named Mortimer, but he murdered a
woman in 1449. He fled to France, adopted the name "Cade"
and returned to England. Cade became famous for leading a revolt in
Kent in 1450. Few people would argue that the revolt was anything but
just and necessary.
Jack
Cade's behaviour, however, was disgraceful. The unrest that had been
fermenting for some time erupted in earnest in the springtime of
1450, when the poverty-stricken peasants began to mutter against the
corrupt and weak leadership of the King, and the unfair taxes levied
upon them. Jack Cade produced a manifesto entitled: "The
Complaint of the Poor Commons of Kent." This was an inventory of
grievances against the unpopular government and it named MPs and
lords.
In
June, 20,000 rebels appeared at Blackheath, including not only
peasants but shopkeepers and artisans, as well as the upper-classes.
There were soldiers and sailors who had returned from France via the
county. Intimidated, King Henry VI took off for safety in
Warwickshire. The rebels advanced on Southwark, where they settled
themselves in the White Hart Inn.
Jack
Cade's rebels fight on London Bridge
On
3 July, the rebel band crossed London Bridge. At this point, Cade got
carried away, and, brandishing his sword, he declared himself Lord
Mayor of London. He led his followers to the Guildhall, then on to
the Tower, with his demands. The mob captured the Lord Treasurer and
speedily beheaded him, and then they set about decapitating other
favourites of the King. Duly spiked, in medieval fashion, the heads
were then raised in the air and placed together, nose-to-nose, as
though they were kissing. As if this wasn't enough, Cade and his men
started looting, an action contrary to his original promise when he
began his march.
By
the time they returned to Southwark, preparations had been made to
prevent the bloodthirsty rebels from entering the city, and, around
10.00pm, a fight erupted on London Bridge, which continued until the
following morning. The rebels suffered severe casualties and had to
retreat. Finally, in response to the Archbishop, John Kemp, Cade
agreed to calm his men in return for pardons and the fulfilment of
his demands.
Jack
Cade branded a traitor
Archbishop
Kemp did not follow through. The following week, Jack Cade was to
discover a most unpleasant truth: the government now considered him
to be a traitor and a reward was offered for him, dead or alive. Cade
died in a fight near Heathfield, East Sussex, on 12 July 1450 and his
body was taken to London and quartered, the pieces being sent to
different cities for display. His head stayed on a spike on London
Bridge, along with those of his cohorts. The rebels themselves were
pardoned, although after Cade's death, thirty-four more were
executed.
This
is a tragic story, since the cause was just and the men were brave -
if only it hadn't all gone, both literally and metaphorically, to
Jack Cade's head.
Sources:
Murder
& Crime, Medway,
Janet Cameron, Tempus Publishing, 2008.
This
Sceptred Isle,
Christopher Lee, Penguin History,/BBC Books, 1997.
Further
Reading:
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