piece of eight~ (dollars), that is, about 30_s._

~assessment~: the value put upon house or property in order to fix the
amount of taxes to be paid.

31. WHITTINGTON. PART II.

~Vintner~: a wine-seller.

~Wycliffe~, born about 1324, was a learned theologian and rector of
Lutterworth, in Leicestershire. For preaching Protestant doctrines he
was summoned to appear at St. Paul's to answer a charge of heresy in
1377.

~John of Gaunt~ thus made the second attempt to deprive London of its
liberties and charter; Matilda, the opponent of Stephen, had tried long
before, but it ended in her overthrow (_see_ p. 45).

~The Marshal~ was the commander of the Royal forces. To put London under
him was to destroy its liberty. This office is hereditary in the family
of the Duke of Norfolk, and like other royal offices became unimportant
when it became hereditary.

~rebellion of the peasants, 1381~, against over-taxation and being bound
to the soil as serfs by their landlords. ~John Ball~, the popular
preacher, used to ask:

'When Adam delved and Eve span,
Who was then a gentleman?'

~The Archbishop of Canterbury~, Simon of Sudbury, had as chancellor
proposed the taxes complained of; therefore the peasants murdered him.

~rescinding~: repealing of a law.

32. WHITTINGTON. PART III.

~Burning of heretics and Lollards~: in 1401, in the reign of Henry IV.,
an Act of Parliament was passed for burning heretics.

~Lollards~ were those who differed from the Church before the
Reformation. The name comes from a German word _lollen_, to sing--from
the custom of these reformers.

~Mansion House~: the official home of the Lord Mayor. The present
building was begun in 1739; previously a house in Cheapside was used for
the purpose.

~bond~: a written obligation binding someone to pay a sum of money. When
money was needed the King used to borrow from wealthy citizens and give
a bond or promise to repay.

~St. Michael's Paternoster Royal~ is in College Hill, near Cannon
Street. The church was so called from the Tower Royal given by Edward
III. in 1331 to his queen, Philippa, for her wardrobe.

33. GIFTS AND BEQUESTS.

~Mark~: a coin, now obsolete, worth 13_s._ 4_d._

~interdicted~: forbidden, prevented.

~technical school~: where useful and practical arts and trades are
taught.

~aqueduct~: an artificial channel for water.

~Sevenoaks~, in Kent.

~Higham Ferrers~ is a small town in Northamptonshire.

34.