A third principle of Edward’s legislation may be discovered in the careful reform and expansion of some of the most ancient institutions, which he knew had in former reigns assisted greatly in the defence of the crown and in the maintenance of peace and order. In the Statute of Winchester, in 1285, he placed the ancient militia system, which Henry II., had remodeled by the Assize of Arms, upon a better footing, and re-organized the “watch and ward,” by which the particular districts and communities were trained to keep order and to search for and arrest criminals. Similar methods were followed in the preparations for national defence in 1294, and both by sea and land the old duty of guarding the country, was based upon the same primitive system. In all these particular points we may trace a purpose of developing the policy by which Henry II., had tried to overthrow the influence of feudalism, and to strengthen his administration by alliance with the great body of the free people; by placing arms in their hands, providing them with just and accessible tribunals, and by diminishing, as far as could be done, the means which the landlord had of oppressing those who held their land under him. We shall see by and by how the same principles affected his plans, or the plans which circumstances forced upon him, for the development of the Parliament and constitution. But before doing this we must look at the question of finance, which, with those of war and legislation, gave him, from the very beginning of the reign, a great deal of hard work. This has been already sketched in connection with the work of Henry II. It must now be viewed in fuller detail. [Sidenote: Sources of the royal revenue. ]