In the meantime a hasty valuation had been made by the command of Wolsey of the plate of the livery companies, and of the ready money lying in their halls, the whole value of which was estimated to be £4,000. This, together with the sum of £10,000 which the Court of Aldermen purposed raising among the wealthier class of citizens, was all that the cardinal was given to expect from the City.(1106) On the 24th May the deputation, which had ridden with all speed after the cardinal in order to make this report, returned to the city and reported to the Court of Aldermen that his grace was in no wise satisfied with the City’s offer, and that he expected the City to furnish the king with at least £30,000, of which £10,000 was to be ready within three days.(1107) The matter was compromised by the City consenting to advance £20,000. In June the Recorder had an interview with Wolsey respecting the security to be given for repayment of the loan. The cardinal refused to allow that certain abbots, abbesses and priors, who had been named, should enter into bond, and the citizens were obliged to be content with the personal securities of the king and Wolsey himself. Touching the plate of the halls, the cardinal wished only to take it in case of absolute necessity, and then only at a fair price. He desired the owners to bring it to the Tower, "there to be coyned and they [_i.e._, the government] to pay the seyd money that so shalbe coyned." The result of the Recorder’s interview was reported to the Court of Aldermen the 17th June.(1108) A committee had already (2 June) to take an account of the plate brought in and to enter its true weight in a book.(1109) (M582) (M583) The recent loan of £20,000 had scarcely been raised(1110) before the citizens found it necessary to make a further advance of 4,000 marks. Their liberality was repaid by a gracious letter from Wolsey himself, in which he promised to see the money repaid in a fortnight,(1111) and to extend to them his favour. What vexed the citizens more than anything was being compelled to make oath before the cardinal’s deputy sitting in the Chapter House of St. Paul’s as to the amount each was worth in money, plate, jewels, household goods and merchandise,—a system of inquisition recently introduced.(1112) (M584) (M585)