many of the towns, which placed the realm in much danger. The knights and fquires who had been fummoned to the defence of the kingdom, now demanded their pay ; and other large fums were called for, to defray the great expenfes the king and his coun-cil had been at in guarding the country againft the invafion from France. A parliament was therefore affembled in London, of the nobles, prelates. and commonalty, to coniider of laying a general tax throughout the country to anfwer all thefe demands* The parliament adjourned from London to Weft* minfter, when thofe fummoned attended, and in-deed many others, who came to hear news. The king and his two uncles of York and Glocefter were prefent; and the parliament was harangued on the fubjeft of the finances, and aflured that there was not in the royal treafury more than fufficient to fupport, even with economy, the ufual expenfes of the king. The council faid, there was no other means than laying a general tax on all the country, if they were defirous of paying the great fums the defence of the kingdom had coft. Thofe from the archbifhoprick of Canterbury, the bifhopricks of Norwich and Warwick, the coun-ties of Devonfhire, Hampfhire and Wiltfliire readily affented, becaufe they knew better what had been done, and were more alarmed than thofe at a greater diftance, in Wales, Briftol and Cornwall, who werç rebellious, and faid,—c We have never feen any enemies come into thi§ ctufttry : why therefore fhould 229