Whilst a small force, to which the City contributed a contingent of 300 men,(328) was sent to assist the King of Denmark, a fleet was despatched (27 June, 1627) to the Isle of Rhé, under the Duke of Buckingham, with the object of relieving Rochelle. The expedition failed in its purpose and Buckingham had soon to ask for reinforcements. In August the City was called upon by the king to furnish 100 men towards making up the losses sustained, for which the Chamberlain was authorised to disburse £50 in impress money.(329) In October Charles asked for 250 soldiers in addition to those already raised, and these were found without drawing upon the trained bands.(330) In spite of all efforts there was great delay in forwarding to Buckingham the reinforcements in which he stood in sore need, and in November he was forced to return home, baffled in his enterprise, and with a loss from war and disease of little less than 4,000 men.(331) (M129) The time had now arrived for some arrangements to be made for discharging the king’s debt to the City.(332) After protracted negotiations an agreement, known at the present day as the "royal contract," was drawn up and executed (3 Jan., 1628) whereby the citizens covenanted to advance the king a further sum of £120,000 by instalments of £60,000 at an interval of six months, whilst Charles, on the other hand, covenanted to convey to the City certain lands, tenements and hereditaments.(333) The City at once set to work to raise the money required among the livery companies. The Merchant Taylors were called upon to contribute £6,300, the highest sum. The Grocers came next with £6,000, after which follow the Haberdashers (£4,800), the Drapers (£4,608), the Goldsmiths (£4,380), the Mercers (£3,720), the Fishmongers and Clothworkers (each £3,390) and the Vintners (£3,120).(334) Certain members of the Vintners’ Company having proved refractory, the master and wardens complained to the Court of Aldermen, who promptly committed the offenders to prison, thereby earning the approval of his majesty.(335) In cases where the master and wardens of a company had shown neglect in gathering the company’s quota they were themselves committed to Newgate.(336) The Court of Aldermen even committed one of their own body for refusing to contribute his quota.(337) With difficulty the first instalment of £60,000 was raised, several of the companies being forced to part with their plate.(338) (M130)