No post from heaven, nor yet from hell but a true relation and animadversions, written and sent as an antidote to all unbelieving Brownists, prophane Anabaptists, schismaticall monsters, and such like incendiaries of the state : proving by histories, records, and examples that His Majestes taxations have not been unusuall, nor his government tyrannicall, though falsely so imputed, invented, divulged and scattered abroad / collected by Sir Robert Cotton ; and now put to presse and dedicated to His Sacred Maiestie, by G.A., Gent.

Richard the second.

RIchard the second succeeding his Grandfather, took of the Clergy and laity, once the tenth of all their Lands, and ••hrice the goods of the Comm. the like entirely, and 6 times the •…•…alf, twelve times a fifteenth, and 6 times the moity.

And had Anno the 21, granted one tenth to him, and a fifteenth ••nd a half of either of them yearly for terme of life.

From out of the Boroughs and Cities, thrice a full tenth, and •…•…nce a moity.

Out of all merchandize, he received three yeares six pence in the •…•…ound, and once twelve pence.

And for every tonne of wine and such commodities, six pence ••or two yeares, doubling it for as many, and trebling it for as many.

The custome of wools, rated by Edward the first, at a Noble a ••…••…ck, and under his Son increased asmuch more, was to this King ••wo shillings and eight pence, which single for eight yeares, he ••ad granted unto him, besides once for three yeares, and once for •…•…ure, having after improved it to foure and thirty shillings and •…•…ure pence the sack.

The sum of these Subsidies, in Anno decimo quarto, amounted un∣•…•… 160000 pounds.

From out of the goods of the Clergy, he had eight tenths and a ••alfe, and once out of them and the laity together, besides a loane 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Anno quinto of 6000^l.

By the Poll, or Heads of all his people, from above fifteen years, ••e collected twice a contribution assessed proportionably from the Beggar to the Duke.

Besides, in strength of prerogative only, of every ship and fish∣••r man six pence.

The like of New-castle coales, and of every last of corne, in∣wards and outwards the like sum.

He also took their horses, armour, and cattel, (hinc factus est subditis invisus, saith the Bishop of London) and so it seemed, for at his deposing, it was one of the objected Articles, against him.

He, the first yeare of his raigne, imposed upon his Subjects, as formerly his Ancestors had done, a personall service, as Anno pri∣mo, that all the Clergy shall array, Armis & equis competentibus, from the age of 16 to 60. & eos millenis & centenis provisos facient.

Thus under grievous burthens, the State laboured continually for his treasury, being wastfully emptyed, was (as Tacitus saith) of Tyberius, scelere replendum, by which he meant the intolerable racking of the people.

And therefore crave to have his present Officers removed, and very hardly would be drawn any more to taxe themselves, but conditionally, and with this limitation, that their mony should be received, expended, and accompted for to themselves, and by Treasurers of their own election, and are content in the end to load his poore dejected fortunes, with the reproachfull weight of these their many burthens.

Thus, you see, this unfortunate Prince, first brought into want, than into contempt, and last of all deposed; a most remarkeable President, for these our times, had actions, and occasions, fitted opportunitie and intentions.

Notes

• Parl. anno 2 & 14 R. 2 ••ui••.
• Tacit. lib. 2
• Rot. Parlia. anno 1 H. 4 nu, 2