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252 YORK.
The first outburst took place at Louth. At the end
of September, 1536, a nunnery near that town had
been suppressed by the visitors, who left two of
Cromwell's servants behind them to complete the
work. This was followed by a great disturbance,
which ended in their being put into the stocks
and afterwards imprisoned. But more violent acts
followed. Gatherings of the people took place at
Caistor and at Horncastle, and an oath was demanded
from all of fidelity to the king, the commonwealth,
and Holy Church. The numbers were swelled by
the clergy at the head of their parishioners, and the
tumultuous assemblage was eagerly joined by ejected
monks in large numbers. At Horncastle the rising
assumed greater proportions. Here the country
gentry, with Mr. Dymoke, their high sheriff, Thomas
Makerell, the Abbot of Barlings, with his canons, all
in armour, were gathered together ; one of the
retainers of the abbey carrying the banner which
became so famous for the badges which it bore,—the
chalice, and the five wounds of our Blessed Lord, a
plough, and a horn. The plough was to show their
sympathy with the grievances of the husbandman,
and the horn was an allusion to the name of the place
where they were assembling in so much force and
with such determined resolution. For it was here
that they formulated their demands upon the Crown.
They were six in number: — (i.) The restoration of
the religious houses.
(2.) A remission of the subsidy.
(3.) No more tenths and first-fruits to be paid by the
clergy to the Crown. (4.) The repeal of the Statute
of Uses. (5.) The removal of men of villein descent