The reign of Henry the Third is filled with the King’s displeasure against the City as well as with the quarrels and dissensions which rent the City in twain. Let us run rapidly through the main incidents of the time, and then consider how the growth and development of the Commune were affected by those factions. In the year 1221, or 1223, the tumult for which Constantine FitzArnult was hanged awakened the jealousy and suspicion of the young King, because it revealed the existence or the survival of a French party in the City. I cannot but think that this foolish rising was the first cause of that hatred towards his rich city which Henry entertained throughout his reign. The conspiracy, says Fabyan, was so “heinous and grievous to the King that he was mynded and purposed to throwe downe the wallys of the Citie.” However, for the time he was appeased, and presently issued his Charter of Confirmation to the City with the grant of a common seal. In 1229 the Aldermen, with the consent of the people, agreed that a sheriff should not continue in office for more than one year, because charges had been brought against previous sheriffs of taking bribes from victuallers, and also of various extortions. On referring to the list we find that the continuance in office of the sheriffs had become of recent years a common practice, as the following list (_Stow_) shows:— 1218. Sheriffs. John Viel[8] and John Le Spicer. 1219. „ John Viel „ Richard Wimbledon. 1220. „ John Viel „ Richard Renger. 1221. „ Thomas Lambart, Richard Renger. 1222. „ Thomas Lambart, Richard Renger. 1223. „ John Travars, Andrew Bokerel. 1224. „ John Travars, Andrew Bokerel. 1225. „ Roger Duke, Martin FitzWilliam. 1226. „ Roger Duke, Martin FitzWilliam. 1227. „ Stephen Bokerel, Henry Cocham. 1228. „ Stephen Bokerel, Henry Cocham. In 1240, the Aldermen were elected and changed yearly, “but,” says Stow, “that order lasted not long.” (See Appendices II. and III.) In the same year, following Fabyan’s Chronology, the King began to side with the popular party, intending in this manner to break up the privileges of the City.