Comme son abit nous démonstre;
Mes maintes genz font bele monstre
Et merveilleux sanblant qu’il vaillent:
Il sanblent les arbres qui faillent
Qui furent trop bel au florir.”
Le Dit de frère Denise. “Œuvres complètes de Rutebeuf,” ed. Jubinal, Paris, 1874, vol. ii. p. 63.
[175] Printed in the “Archæological Journal,” vol. iv. p. 69.
[176] “E, sire, les avant ditz William e Richart e plusours gentz de la ville de Lichfield sount menacé des ditz larons e lour maintenours qu’ils n’osent nule part aler hors de la dite ville.”
[177] Richard II had several times to renew and confirm them, but without effect. In his first statute upon this subject he condemns the superabundance of retainers which many men, though of indifferent means, delight in; he declares “that divers people of small revenue of land, rent, or other possessions, do make great retinue of people, as well of esquires as of other, in many parts of the realm” (1 Richard II, cap. 7, A.D. 1377). The third statute of 13 Richard II, that of his 16th year (cap. 4), that of his 20th year (cap. 1 and 2), are likewise directed against the abuse of liveries and the number of retainers of the “lords spiritual and temporal.” Henry VI renewed these statutes, also without result.
[178] 10 Ed. III, year 1336.