I should say that I knew that there were at least three "Jack Straws" among the fellowship of the discontented, one of whom was over in Essex.
As we waited there, every bowman with his shaft nocked on the string, there was a movement in the line opposite, and presently came from it a little knot of three men, the middle one on horseback, the other two armed with long-handled glaives; all three well muffled up in armour.
As they came nearer I could see that the horseman had a tabard over his armour, gaily embroidered with a green tree on a gold ground, and in his hand a trumpet.
"They are come to summon us.

Wilt thou that he speak, Jack ?" said Will Green.
"Nay," said the other; "yet shall he have warning first.

Shoot when my horn blows!" And therewith he came up to the hedge, climbed over, slowly because of his armour, and stood some dozen yards out in the field.

The man on horseback put his trumpet to his mouth and blew a long blast, and then took a scroll into his hand and made as if he were going to read; but Jack Straw lifted up his voice and cried out: "Do it not, or thou art but dead! We will have no accursed lawyers and their sheep-skins here! Go back to those that sent thee----" But the man broke in in a loud harsh voice: "Ho! YE PEOPLE! what will ye gathering in arms ?" Then cried Jack Straw: "Sir Fool, hold your peace till ye have heard me, or else we shoot at once.

Go back to those that sent thee, and tell them that we free men of Kent are on the way to London to speak with King Richard, and to tell him that which he wots not; to wit, that there is a certain sort of fools and traitors to the realm who would put collars on our necks and make beasts of us, and that it is his right and his devoir to do as he swore when he was crowned and anointed at Westminster on the Stone of Doom, and gainsay these thieves and traitors; and if he be too weak, then shall we help him; and if he will not be king, then shall we have one who will be, and that is the King's Son of Heaven.