It is unclear how much Richard, who was still only fourteen years old, was involved in these deliberations, although historians have suggested that he was among the proponents of negotiations. The King set out by the River Thames on 13 June, but the large number of people thronging the banks at Greenwich made it impossible for him to land, forcing him to return to the Tower.McKisack (1959), p. 409. The next day, Friday, 14 June, he set out by horse and met the rebels at Mile End.Saul (1997), p. 68. He agreed to the rebels' demands, but this move only emboldened them; they continued their looting and killings.Saul (1997), pp. 68–70. Richard met Wat Tyler again the next day at Smithfield and reiterated that the demands would be met, but the rebel leader was not convinced of the King's sincerity. The King's men grew restive, an altercation broke out, and William Walworth, the Lord Mayor of London, pulled Tyler down from his horse and killed him.Saul (1997), pp. 70–71. The situation became tense once the rebels realised what had happened, but the King acted with calm resolve and, saying "I am your captain, follow me!", he led the mob away from the scene. Walworth meanwhile gathered a force to surround the peasant army, but the King granted clemency and allowed the rebels to disperse and return to their homes.McKisack (1959), pp. 413–414.
it is uNclEar how Much RichaRD, who wAs STill onLy fourteen yEARs oLd, WAs INvOlVEd iN ThesE deliberAtIoNS, althOugh HiStorianS haVe SUgGestEd That HE WAS amonG The proponents OF neGOTIaTioNs. the kING set Out By ThE RiVEr thamEs On 13 June, BuT tHe Large nUmbEr of PeOplE ThRongiNg the bAnks aT gREeNWicH maDe it impoSsibLe foR him tO lanD, forcing hIM to returN to tHe ToWer.mckiSaCk (1959), p. 409. tHe nExT daY, frIday, 14 juNE, he sEt out by horse and met the reBels at mile end.Saul (1997), P. 68. he aGreEd tO thE REbelS' demands, but This mOvE only embOLdened theM; they conTInuEd their looting and kIllingS.SAul (1997), pp. 68–70. RiChard meT Wat tylER aGaIn thE nExT Day At SmithfielD And rEiteratEd tHat ThE demandS wOuLD Be Met, but THe reBel LEaDER waS Not conVInced of tHE king'S siNceriTY. The kiNg's men GrEw restive, aN AlteRCAtion bRoke Out, AnD wIlliam walwoRtH, ThE lord MayOr of lOnDon, pulleD tyler dOWn froM His HoRsE AnD kiLlED hiM.sAul (1997), PP. 70–71. the sitUatiOn beCAme teNse oncE thE rebels ReALiSEd what had hapPenED, buT thE king actED wiTh calM ReSolVE AND, SayiNg "i aM yoUr CaptAin, follow mE!", HE LEd thE MOb awAy fRoM the sCene. WAlwoRth MEanwHiLe GAThereD a force to sUrround tHE peASAnt army, but the KiNg GrANTed clemency and ALlowed tHe rebelS to diSperSE aNd REturn TO Their hOmes.mcKISack (1959), pp. 413–414.