Is it not possible that the so-called “unknown charter of Liberties” (see _infra_ under Part V. and Appendix) was the very schedule mentioned by Wendover? It was drawn up in the form of a charter, so as to be ready for the immediate imprint of the seal they demanded. ----- John’s answer, when he read these demands, was emphatic. “Why do not the barons, with these unjust exactions, ask my kingdom?” Then furious, he declared with an oath that he would never grant them such liberties, whereby he would make himself a slave.[23] ----- Footnote 23: R. Wendover, III. 298. ----- On 5th May the barons formally renounced allegiance[24] and chose as commander, Robert Fitz-Walter, who styled himself piously and grandiloquently, “Marshal of the army of God and Holy Church.” ----- Footnote 24: Blackstone, _Great Charter_, p. xiii., citing the _Annals of Dunstable_ (p. 43), says they were absolved at Wallingford by a Canon of Durham. ----- The insurgents, still shivering on the brink of civil war, delayed to march southwards. Much would depend on the attitude of London, with its wealth and central position; and John bade high for the support of its citizens. On 9th May a new charter[25] was granted to the Londoners, who now received a long-coveted privilege, the right to elect their mayor annually and to remove him at the year’s end. This marked the culmination of a long series of progressive grants in their favour. Previously the mayor had held office for life, and Henry Fitz-Aylwin, the earliest holder of the office (appointed perhaps in 1191), had died in 1213. ----- Footnote 25: The Charter appears _Rot. Chart._, p. 207. _Cf._ under chapter 13 _infra_, where the rights of the Londoners are discussed. ----- Apparently no price was paid for this charter; but John doubtless expected in return the grateful support of the Londoners, exactly as he had expected the support of churchmen when he twice granted a charter in their favour. In both instances he was disappointed. Next day he made, probably as a measure of delay, an offer of arbitration to the barons. In the full tide of military preparations, he issued a writ in these words: "Know that we have conceded to our barons who are against us that we shall not take or disseise them or their men, nor go against them _per vim vel per arma_, unless by the law of our land, or by the judgment of their peers _in curia nostra_, until consideration shall have been made by four whom we shall choose on our part and four whom they shall choose on their part, and the lord Pope who shall be oversman over them"—words worthy of careful comparison with those used in chapter 39 of Magna Carta. The offer could not be taken seriously, since it left the decision of every vital issue virtually to the Pope, whom the barons distrusted.[26] ----- Footnote 26: The writ is given in _Rot. Pat._, 1. 141, and also in _New Rymer_, I. 128. -----