A HISTORY OF NORFOLK killed him in single combat, although the latter was assisted by a huge mastiff dog, which our man ' cut in two through the reins,' before he struck, off the Scotchman's head. The name Venile is probably a misprint for Nevile, a Robert de Nevile being returned to Parliament for Norfolk, i6 Edw, III. In 1332^ another Norfolk champion had to do with the expedition to Ireland, and sixty archers were to be provided by the sheriff of Norfolk. This was Robert de Morley, one of the most famous warriors of the time, both in the French and Scotch wars. He had much to do with the naval victory of Sluys, and was present at Cressy, but in spite of all these services had to do penance bare foot through the streets of Norwich for slaying the bishop's deer. In 1338 mention was made on the Patent Roll' of unlawful assemblies being held in Norwich, and the Mayor of Lynn ^ was directed to put his town in a state of defence. The country continued to be at war with France and Scotland and the east coast was exposed to the attacks of French and Scotch vessels. We get a glimpse of Edward's policy of alliance with Flanders from the order given in 1340 that the common seal of the city of Norwich should be put with those of London, Lincoln, and York, to letters of confederacy with Bruges, Ypres, and Ghent.* In February, 1340,^ Edward and his wife came to Norwich to witness a great tournament here, after which he is said to have paid a visit to his mother, Isabella, at Castle Acre. It may have been on this occasion that he is supposed to have been entertained by John Braunche at Lynn, as shown on the latter's brass, dated 1364. The king was at Norwich again in November, I 344, as is shown by a grant made to the city at that time.' The kingdom suffered during this reign from the terrible pestilence, the French wars, and the weakness of the central power, accompanied by oppressive taxation, but no events of any great local importance took place until the year 1381. In this year came the rebellion of Geoffrey^ the Litester or Lister, which, being perhaps, the most important event in the history of the county, deserves special mention. There had been many causes which had created great discontent, not only here but all over England, and especially four which may be for- mulated thus : First, the immediate oppression of a poll tax of twelve pence a head which was granted in 1380, though one of fourpence had just been paid in 1377; and the long sustained grievances of the purveyors and the maladministration of justice.* This was the cry against the government. Secondly, the stricter enforcement of the lord's rights to the unpaid labour which had always been due both from free and bond tenants, and which had now, owing to the sweeping away of so many labourers by the ' Close, 6 Edw. Ill, m. 16. ' Pat. 12 Edw. Ill, m. 34 a'. ' Ibid. 12 Edw. Ill, m. ^J.
- Ibid. 14 Edw. Ill, pt. ii, m. 41. ' Blomefield, iii, 86. * Pat. 19 Edw. Ill, pt. i, m. 8 J.
' The Anct. Indictments, 128, and Norf. Lay. Subsidies, Lt^, cited by Powell, Rising in East Anglia, seem to establish this as the correct Christian name of the chief leader. Walsingham has confused him with John Lister of Norwich. ' There had been many a bitter complaint of the oppression during the last half-century, e.g. by the sherifft in 1333, as to free warren in 1334, unfair tallages in 1337, and against pun'eyors in 1328, 1330, 1331 (vide Patent Rolls). For instances of minor extortions by bailiffi, warreners, &c., 14 Edw. I, see Horf. Anti^. Miscell. ii, 192-3. 482
