WOLSEY AND THE CITIZENS (1525).
The incidents related in the following passage are concerned with one of the periodical efforts of Henry VIII. to raise money in irregular ways. He seems to have left the matter on this occasion to Wolsey, who issued commissions for levying the sixth part of the goods of the laity and the fourth of those of the clergy. This proceeding caused great alarm, and rebellions appeared imminent in all parts of the country. Whereupon Henry disavowed the whole business, and told the citizens of London that he would not exact anything by compulsion, but merely ask for a benevolence. This was, of course, recognised as an artifice to obtain the same results by different means, and the citizens sturdily protested, arguing that benevolences had been declared illegal. Wolsey experienced very great difficulty in his dealings with the Londoners, who well maintained their reputation for guarding their independence and liberty, even when faced with threats and menaces.
Source.—Hall's Chronicle.
And now since God hath given us victory, the King remembering the saying of the Poet that sayeth: It is more mastery to use victory gotten, than to get it, thinketh it necessary now in all haste, to make an army royal, and he in person to pass the seas, and to recover his right inheritance, both of the Crown of France as of Normandy, Guyen, Gascony, Aniowe and Mayne, the writings whereof comprehending the very title, you may see here present if ye list, but I doubt not but you know them well enough. And now I ask you this question, whether that you think it convenient, that the King should pass with an army or not, for the King will do by the advice of his subjects: to the which many said yea.
Well said the Cardinal, then must he be made able to go like a Prince, which cannot be without your aids, and for to shew you what the Archbishop of Canterbury and I, which be primates of the realm hath done, we have given of our lands, and all lands appertaining to the church, the third part, and the temporal lords have given of lands and goods, the sixth part, and to jeopard their bodies in pain and travail, and now since they which shall adventure their lives, doth proffer the sixth part, what should they give which abide at home? Forsooth I think that half your substance were too little, not meaning that the King so asketh. For he demandeth only no more, of fifty pound, the sixth part, and so upon every pound above fifty, to what sum soever it amount to, the sixth part that is 3s. and 3 pence of the pound and from 20 pound to fifty pound, and so upward. 2s. and 8 pence of the pound, and from 20 pound to 20s. 12 pence of the pound, and this to be levied according to the first valuation, as appeareth by your own valuation, which is but a small matter, to the thing that is meant. Then they being astonished, at last one said, My lord since the last valuation divers merchants be decayed by the seas, and suretyship, and other ways, so that valuation cannot be had. Then answered the Cardinal, Sirs, speak not to break the thing that is concluded, for some shall not pay the tenth part, and some more, it were better that some should suffer indigence, than the King at this time should lack, and therefore beware and resist not, nor ruffel not in this case, for it may fortune to cost some their heads: but I will speak to the King, to be good to you, so that if he go not over the sea in person, then you shall have your money redelivered, but first let the money be gathered, and lay it where you will, and if the King need it not, you may take it again.
When the Cardinal had thus persuaded the Mayor, and his brethren and other head commoners, they took their leave and every day after by the space of fortnight, he sent for a certain number of Commoners, and told them like tale, but some spake such words to him, and some going from him, that they were sent to ward.