He sent forces against the rebels, under the command of the duke of Suffolk; and he returned them a very sharp answer to their petition.

There were some gentry whom the populace had constrained to take part with them, and who kept a secret correspondence with Suffolk.
They informed him, that resentment against the king's reply was the chief cause which retained the malecontents in arms, and that a milder answer would probably suppress the rebellion.

Henry had levied a great force at London, with which he was preparing to march against the rebels; and being so well supported by power, he thought that, without losing his dignity, he might now show them some greater condescension.
He sent a new proclamation, requiring them to return to their obedience, with secret assurances of pardon.

This expedient had its effect: the populace was dispersed: Mackrel and some of their leaders fell into the king's hands, and were executed: the greater part of the multitude retired peaceably to their usual occupations: a few of the more obstinate fled to the north, where they joined the insurrection that was raised in those parts.
The northern rebels, as they were more numerous, were also on other accounts more formidable than those of Lincolnshire; because the people were there more accustomed to arms, and because of their vicinity to the Scots, who might make advantage of these disorders.

One Aske, a gentleman, had taken the command of them, and he possessed the art of governing the populace.