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.

CHAPTER XIV. HERE HIT IS SHEWID, WHI IT NEDITH þAT THER BE A RESUMPCION, AND A GRAUNT OFF GODE MADE TO THE KYNGE.

THIS serche wich we nowe haue made, ffor to vnderstonde how harmefull it wolde be to the kynge, and to his reaume, yff his commons were pouere, hath be a digression ffrom the mater in wich we labour; þat is to say, ffor to vndirstonde howe the kyng mey best haue sufficient and perdurable livelod ffor the sustentacion off his estate. Wherfore it be houyth þat we nowe resorte to the poynte in wich we lafte, wich, as I remenbr, was this. We ffounde be grete causes, þat it was nedefull, þat all suche giftes

as haue be made off the kynges livelod inconsederatly, as not deseruet, or aboff the meretes of hym þat haue getun hym, were refourmed; so as thai wich haue done any seruice, be not vnrewarded. Wich thynge, as me thynkith, mey not perfitly be done, withowt a generall resumpcion, made be auctorite off parlement; and þat ther be gyven to the kynge by the same auctorite, a grete subsidie, with wich is hyghnes, be þe advise off his counsell, mey rewarde tho þat haue deserued rewardes, and awght not þer|fore to haue parte off his revenues, by wich is estate moste nedis be mayntened; or awght not haue so moch off þe revenues, as thai haue now, or not so grete astate in the same. Considerynge þat all such gyvinge awey off the kynges livelod is harmefull to all is legemen, wich shall þerby, as is be ffore shewid, be arted to a newe charge ffor þe sustenance off is estate. But yet, or any suche resumpcion be made, it shalbe gode þat a worshipfull and a notable coun|sell be stableshed, be the advise off wich all new gyftes and rewardes mey be modered and made, as yff no such gyftes or rewardes had be made be ffor this tyme. Provided alway, that no man be harmyd, be reason off such resumpcion, in the arrerages off such livelod as he shall þan haue, wich shall renne aftir þat resumpcion, and bi fore þe said new giftes and rewardes. And whan such a counsell is ffully create and estableshed, hit shalbe gode þat all sup|plicacions wich shalbe made to þe kynge ffor any gifte or rewarde, be sende to þe same counsell, and þer debatid and delibered; ffirst whether þe supliant haue deserued such rewarde as he askith; and yff he haue deserued hit, yet it nedith þat it be delibered, whether the kynge mey gyve such rewarde as he

askith off his revenues, savynge to hym selff sufficiant ffor the sustenance off his estate. Ffor ellis such givinge were no vertu, but a spice of prodigalite, and as ffor so moch it were delapidacion off his crowne. Wherfore no priuat person woll, be reason off libera|lite, or off rewarde, so abate is owne livelod, as he mey not kepe such estate as he did be ffore. And trewly it were bettir, þat a priuat person lakked is rewarde wich he hath well deserued, then that be his rewarde þe gode publike and all the lande were hurte. Wherfore to eschewe theis ij harmes, it mey then be advised be the counsell, how such a person mey be rewarded with office, money, mariage, ffraunches, priuelage, or such oþer thynge, off wich þe crowne hath grete riches. And verely yff this ordre be kept, the kynge shalnot be greved be im|portunite of suytours, nor thai shall be importunite or brocage optayne any vnresonable desires. O what qwiete shall growe to þe kyng by this ordre; and in what reste shall than his people lyff, hauynge no colour off grochynge with soche as shall be aboute is person, as thai were woned to haue, ffor þe gyvynge awey off his londe, and also ffor the myscounsellynge off hym in many oþer cases; nor off murmor ageynes the kynges person, ffor þe mysgouernance off his reaume! Ffor in this counsell mey be determynyd euery case off deficulte, or the kyng do any thyng þerin. And the wise man saith, vbi multa consilia, ibi salus. And trewly such a contenuall counsell mey wel be callid, multa consilia, ffor it is ofte, and euere day counsellith.