The governance of England: otherwise called The difference between an absolute and a limited monarchy. A rev. text edited with introd., notes, and appendices by Charles Plummer.

a subsidie was it, when the reaume gaff to thair kyng a quinsime and a desime quinqueniale, and the ixth fflese off thair wolles, and also the ixth shefe off þer graynes, ffor the terme off v. yere. This myght thai not haue done, yff thai hade ben im|pouershed be thair kyng, as be the commons off Ffraunce; nor such a graunte hath be made by any reaume off cristendome, off wich any cronicle makith mencion; nor non oþer mey or hath cause to do so. Ffor thai haue not so much ffredome in thair owne godis, nor be entreted by so ffauerable lawes as we be, except a ffewe regions be ffore specified. Item, we se dayly, how men þat haue lost thair godis, and be ffallen into pouerte, be comme anon robbers and theves; wich wolde not haue ben soche, yff pouerte hade not brought hem þerto. Howe many a theff then were like to be in this lande, yff all the com|mons were pouere. Þe grettest surete trewly, and also the most honour þat mey come to the kynge is, þat is reaume be riche in euery estate. Ffor nothyng mey make is people to arise, but lakke off gode, or lakke off justice. But yet sertanly when thay lakke gode thai woll aryse, sayng that thai lakke justice. Neuer þe les yff thai be not pouere, thay will neuer aryse, but yff þer prince so leve justice, that he give hym selff all to tyranne.