They told them that now for a long time they had oppressed their fellows, the burgesses of Bury; wherefore they willed that in the sight of the Commons they should forthwith surrender their bonds and charters.

The monks brought the parchments to the market-place; many which were demanded they swore they could not find.

A compromise was at last patched up; and it was agreed that the charters should be surrendered till the future abbot should confirm the liberties of the town.

Then, unable to do more, the crowd ebbed away.
[Sidenote: Close of the rising] A scene less violent, but even more picturesque, went on the same day at St.Albans.William Grindecobbe, the leader of its townsmen, returned with one of the charters of emancipation which Richard had granted after his interview at Mile-end to the men of Essex and Hertfordshire, and breaking into the abbey precincts at the head of the burghers, forced the abbot to deliver up the charters which bound the town in bondage to his house.

But a more striking proof of servitude than any charters could give remained in the millstones which after a long suit at law had been adjudged to the abbey and placed within its cloister as a triumphant witness that no townsman might grind corn within the domain of the abbey save at the abbot's mill.