this, for they had fecredy received into their houfes their friends and fervants, properly prepared to aft. ; %" - Sir Robert Knolles remained in hrs houfe, guard-ing his property, with more than fix fcore com-panions completely armed, who would have in-ftandy fallied forth. Sir Perducas d'Albreth was alfo irv London at that period, and would have been of great fervice -, fo that they could have muftered upwards of eight thoufand men, well armed. But nothing was done ; - for they were too much afraid of the commonalty of London; and the advifers of the king, the earl of Salifbury and others, faid to him,—c Sir, if you can appeafe them by fair words, it will be fo much the better^ and good humouredly grant them what they afk ; for, fhould we begin what we cannot go through, we fhall-never be able to recover it : it will be all over with us and our heirs, and England will be a defert.' This council was followed, and the mayor or-dered to make no movement. ' He obeyed, as in reafon he ought. In the city of London, with the mayor, there are twelve fheriffs*, of whom nine were for the king _ and three for thefe wicked people, as it was afterwards difcovered,- and for which they then paid dearly. • Twelve Jheriffs. Froiflart is milakcn, as there are only two fheriffs and twenty-fix aldermen, including the mayor. The aldermen were originally chofen for one year ; but, in 1354, * it was ordained that they mould not be removed with-out fome fpeciàl caufe,' ^8tcwi7s BIFT, of London. On 849 '