Storming The Tower of London
At the same time, a group of rebels led by Johanna Ferrour stormed the Tower of London and summarily executed those hiding there, including the Lord Chancellor (Simon of Sudbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was particularly associated with the poll tax), and the Lord Treasurer (Robert de Hales, the Grand Prior of the Knights Hospitallers of England). Simon Sudbury's part-mummified head is preserved in his home town of Sudbury, clearly showing the axe mark.
Elsewhere in London the Savoy Palace of the king's uncle John of Gaunt was one of the buildings destroyed by the rioters. The unpopular financier Richard Lyons was also captured and beheaded.
Read more about this topic: Peasants' Revolt
Famous quotes containing the words tower and/or london:
“Culture is a sham if it is only a sort of Gothic front put on an iron building—like Tower Bridge—or a classical front put on a steel frame—like the Daily Telegraph building in Fleet Street. Culture, if it is to be a real thing and a holy thing, must be the product of what we actually do for a living—not something added, like sugar on a pill.”
—Eric Gill (1882–1940)
“You owe me ten shillings,
Say the bells of St. Helen’s.
When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the bells of Shoreditch.
Pray when will that be?
Say the bells of Stepney.
I am sure I don’t know,
Says the great bell of Bow.”
—Unknown. The Bells of London (l. 13–22)