The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I., Part B.: From Henry III. to Richard III.
David Hume · en
It is easy to observe, from these voluntary associations among the
people, that the whole force of the feudal system was in a manner
dissolved, and that the English had nearly returned, in that particular,
to the same situation in which they stood before the Norman conquest.
It was, indeed, impossible that that system could long subsist under the
perpetual revolutions to winch landed property is every where subject.
When the great feudal baronies were first erected, the lord lived in
opulence in the midst of his vassals: he was in a situation to protect,
and cherish and defend them: the quality of patron naturally united
itself to that of superior: and these two principles of authority
mutually supported each other. But when by the various divisions and
mixtures of property, a man’s superior came to live at a distance
from him, and could no longer give him shelter or countenance, the
tie gradually became more fictitious than real: new connections from
vicinity or other causes were formed: protection was sought by voluntary
services and attachment: the appearance of valor spirit, abilities in
any great man, extended his interest very far, and if the sovereign were
deficient in these qualities, he was no less, if not more exposed to the
usurpations of the aristocracy, than even during the vigor of the feudal
system.
The greatest novelty introduced into the civil government during this
reign was the creation of peers by patent. Lord Beauchamp, of Holt, was
the first peer that was advanced to the house of lords in this manner.
The practice of levying benevolences is also first mentioned in the
present reign. This prince lived in a more magnificent manner than
perhaps any of his predecessors or successors. His household consisted
of ten thousand persons: he had three hundred in his kitchen; and all
the other offices were furnished in proportion.[*] It must be remarked,
that this enormous train had tables supplied them at the king’s expense,
according to the mode of that age. Such prodigality was probably the
source of many exactions by purveyors, and was one chief reason of the
public discontents.
* Harding: this poet says, that he speaks from the authority
of a clerk of the green cloth.
CHAPTER XVIII.
[Illustration: 1_250_henry4.jpg HENRY IV]
HENRY IV