him in the last parliament, and beyond this grant, much from his private resources; and what is more, he has greatly contributed from his own substance for the expedition against Scotland, and for the defence and succour of his lieges in Guienne, and for the last debts due to the earl of March for Ireland, as well as in other ways; he has pledged the greater part of his jewels, which are at the point of being lost, and you may observe how the subsidy of wool is the cause of the present riot in Flanders; nothing, in effect, is reserved: the wages of the troops in the marches of Calais, Brest, and Cherbourg are in arrears more than a quarter and a half, in consequence of which the castles and fortresses of the king are in such great peril, that the soldiers are on the point of departing. Be well assured that neither our lord the king, nor any other Christian monarch is able to endure such charges without the aid of the community; and moreover, consider how deeply the king is indebted, how the crown jewels, as it is said, are at the point of being forfeited, how he is bound by covenant to pay the earl of Buckingham and his companions, what outrageous expenses he will be put to in guarding the sea-coasts nearest France next season, so that the malice of the enemy may be better resisted than it was before, when, as you are well aware, they wrought such grievous damage and villainy against the state. Will you counsel our lord the king, and shew him what better provision can be made to meet these difficulties, and how the kingdom may be defended more securely against its enemies by land and sea. Be pleased to deliberate on this as soon as you are able, to the end that you may speedily render his majesty, these nobles, and yourselves, that effectual assistance which is necessary." With such weighty arguments the chancellor opened the present parliament, adding also, at the close of his speech, that the king both wished and commanded all persons who had any grievance which could not be redressed without the interposition of parliament, that they should present their petitions to the clerks of chancery appointed to receive them, who would hand them over to the prelates for judgment. After this address, they all departed to their respective hostels, and on the morrow consulted together in the new dormitory of the priory, on the business he had propounded. A lengthened debate ensued, in the course of which Sir John Gildersburgh, who was deputed by the commons, declared they were very poor, and unable to bear any further
