Thereon the English Calais seize
And of the channel hold the keys;
The Spanish pirates bend the knee
Then Edward III’s ‘King of the sea.’
Parliament 1376
Lords and Commons from this date
Have their meetings separate,
The Commons first a Speaker make
The Chancellors the Woolsack take.
Ten lady members have the Lords
But doubtless fearful of their words,
Or thinking it not orthodoxy,
They only let them vote by proxy.
While Church and Barons have their squabbles
The House of Commons more power nobbles;
On laws and taxes dares speak out
And give the Pope the right-about.
Leasing
LEASING or Farming, we are taught,
Was introduced ’bout twelve-nought-nought;