They required the suppression of the gentry, the placing of new counsellors about the king, and the reestablishment of the ancient rites.

One Ket, a tanner, had assumed the government over them; and he exercised his authority with the utmost arrogance and outrage.

Having taken possession of Moushold Hill near Norwich, he erected his tribunal under an old oak, thence called the oak of reformation; and summoning the gentry to appear before him, he gave such decrees as might be expected from his character and situation.

The marquis of Northampton was first ordered against him; but met with a repulse in an action, where Lord Sheffield was killed.[*] The protector affected popularity, and cared not to appear in person against the rebels; he therefore sent the earl of Warwick at the head of six thousand men, levied for the wars against Scotland; and he thereby afforded his mortal enemy an opportunity of increasing his reputation and character.

Warwick, having tried some skirmishes with the rebels, at last made a general attack upon them, and put them to flight.