Many Mortmain Acts are passed;
Six centuries these efforts last
To stop the hungry Hierarchy
Devouring all the Squirearchy.
Lollards 1307
Lollards in thirteen-seven arose
Popish rituals to oppose;
John Wycliffe gives to old and young
The Bible in the vulgar tongue.
With John of Gaunt’s protection strong
He dared to preach ’gainst cleric wrong;
Precursor of the Reformation
To liberal thought attuned the nation.
Edward II. 1307–1327
EDWARD the Second with his minions
Governs badly these dominions
Edward III. 1327–1377
His son a man of different mould
Was Edward Three, both wise and bold.
Through clinging to their French domains
Our Kings are French through many reigns
And Edward fighting in this cause
Commenced a hundred years of Wars.