Mary succeeded in March in raising a loan in the city of £20,000 (she had asked for 100,000 marks or £75,000(1471)) on the security of the crown lands. The loan bore interest at the rate of twelve per cent., and a special dispensation was granted to avoid the penalties of the Usury Act.(1472) The money was raised by assessment on the livery companies. On the 16th March the Court of Aldermen summoned the wardens of the twelve principal companies to attend at the Guildhall at eight o’clock the next morning, in order that they might learn how much the lords of the council had "*tottyd*" against each of them towards the loan. The smaller companies were to attend in the afternoon of the same day in order to be informed of the sums the Court of Aldermen deemed fit that each should contribute to assist their wealthier brethren. The total amount subscribed by the greater companies was £16,983 _6s._ 8_d._, of which the Mercers contributed £3,275. The lesser companies subscribed £1,310, in sums varying from £30 to £500.(1473) (M737) It is probable that Mary wanted this loan to enable her to prosecute the war. The country was not disposed, however, to assist her in this direction. The people were afraid of rendering Philip too powerful. Disappointed both in her public and domestic life, she fell a victim to dropsy and died on the 17th November—"wondering why all that she had done, as she believed on God’s behalf, had been followed by failure on every side—by the desertion of her husband, and the hatred of her subjects." The loss of Calais so much affected her that she declared that the name of the town would be found impressed upon her heart after death. On the occasion of her funeral the City put in its customary claim for black livery cloth, but more than one application had to be made before the cloth was forthcoming.(1474) CHAPTER XVII. (M738)