Murder of Simon Sudbury
Simon Sudbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is dragged from the Tower of London by peasant rebels during the Peasants' Revolt. The crowd, led by Wat Tyler, is in a frenzy, demanding justice and retri
Setting
Tower of London, outer courtyard near the Traitor's Gate. The stone walls loom high, casting long shadows in the summer afternoon. The cobblestones are uneven and worn from centuries of use, and the air is thick with the scent of the nearby Thames.
Characters
Simon Sudbury
primary
A man in his late 60s, with a frail but dignified build. His face is lined with age and stress, his thinning white hair disheveled from the struggle. His pale skin is flushed with exertion and fear, and his deep-set eyes convey a mix of defiance and resignation.
Wat Tyler
primary
A rugged and imposing man in his late 30s, with a wiry build and sun-weathered skin. His dark hair is unkempt, and his piercing eyes burn with intensity. A jagged scar runs down his left cheek, a testament to past battles.
Peasant Rebel
secondary
A burly man in his late 30s, with a weathered face marked by years of toil and hardship. His muscular frame is evident even beneath his rough clothing, and his hands are calloused from labor. His dark hair is unkempt, and his beard is streaked with dirt and sweat. His eyes burn with a mix of fury and desperation.
Tower Guard
secondary
A burly man in his late 30s with a weathered face, short-cropped dark hair, and a thick beard. His muscular build suggests years of military training, and a fresh bruise is forming on his left cheek from the recent scuffle.
Young Onlooker
background
A small, thin child of about 8 years old, with wide, fearful eyes and a pale complexion. Their hair is unkempt, likely from the chaos of the moment, and their hands clutch at the rough fabric of their tunic.
Dialog
Wat Tyler
Drag the traitor out! His head'll pay for the taxes wrung from our bones!
Simon Sudbury
Verily, thou knowest not what thou doest! In manus tuas, Domine...
Tower Guard
Par Dieu, stand back! This is the Lord Archbishop!
Wat Tyler
Archbishop of thieves more like! The block's waiting—move or join him!
Simon Sudbury
I die a servant of Holy Church, though my blood be shed by unjust hands...
Tower Guard
Christ's wounds, they're past reasoning with... Fall back!
Wat Tyler
Hack off his chancellor's seal with his lying throat!