De republica Anglorum The maner of gouernement or policie of the realme of England, compiled by the honorable man Thomas Smyth, Doctor of the ciuil lawes, knight, and principall secretarie vnto the two most worthie princes, King Edwarde the sixt, and Queene Elizabeth. Seene and allowed.

VVhether the maner of England in making gentlemen so easily is to be allowed. CHAP. 21.

A Man may make doubt & question whether this ma∣ner of making gentlemen is to be allowed or no, & for my part I am of that opinion y^e it is not amisse. For first the prince looseth nothing by it, as he shoulde doe it it were as in Fraunce: for the yeomen or husbandmā is no more subiect to taile or taxe in Englande than the gentleman: no, in every payment to the king the gen∣tleman is more charged, which he beareth the gladlier and dareth not gainesaie for to save and keepe his ho∣nour and reputation. In any shew or muster or other particular charge of the towne where he is, he must o∣pen his purse wider and augment his portion above o∣thers, or else he doth diminish his reputation. As for their outward shew, a gentleman (if he wil be so accom∣pted) must go like a gentleman, a yeoman like a yeo∣man, and a rascall like a rascall: and if he be called to

the warres, he must and will (whatsoever it cost him) array himselfe and arme him according to the vocation which he pretendeth: he must shew also a more manly corage & tokens of better education, higher stomacke and bountifuller liberallitie than others, and keepe a∣boute him idle seruauntes, who shall doe nothing but waite vpon him. So that no man hath hurt by it but he himselfe, who hereby perchance will beare a bigger saile than he is able to maintaine. For as touching the policie and goverment of the common wealth, it is not those that haue to do with it, which will magnifie them selves, and goe in higher buskins than their estate will beare: but they which are to be appointed, are per∣sons tryed and well knowen, as shall be declared here∣after.