own subjects; and as the parliament had
discovered some reluctance in complying with his demands, he followed,
as is believed, the counsel of Wolsey, and resolved to make use of his
prerogative alone for that purpose. He issued commissions to all the
counties of England, for levying four shillings in the pound upon
the clergy, three shillings and fourpence upon the laity; and so
uncontrollable did he deem his authority, that he took no care to cover,
as formerly, this arbitrary exaction, even under the slender pretence
of a loan. But he soon found that he had presumed too far on the passive
submission of his subjects. The people, displeased with an exaction
beyond what was usually levied in those days, and further disgusted with
the illegal method of imposing it, broke out in murmurs, complaints,
opposition to the commissioners; and their refractory disposition
threatened a general insurrection. Henry had the prudence to stop short
in that dangerous path into which he had entered. He sent letters to all
the counties, declaring that he meant no force by this last imposition,
and that he would take nothing from his subjects but by way of
"benevolence." He flattered himself, that his condescension in employing
that disguise would satisfy the people, and that no one would dare to
render himself obnoxious to royal authority, by refusing any payment
required of him in this manner. But the spirit of opposition, once
roused, could not so easily be quieted at pleasure. A lawyer in the
city objecting the statute of Richard III., by which benevolences were
forever abolished, it was replied by the court, that Richard being a
usurper, and his parliament a factious assembly, his statutes could not
bind a lawful and absolute monarch, who held his crown by hereditary
right, and needed not to court the favor of a licentious populace.[*]

* Herbert Hall.

The judges even went so far as to affirm positively, that the king might
exact by commission any sum he pleased; and the privy council gave
a ready assent to this decree, which annihilated the most valuable
privilege of the people, and rendered all their other privileges
precarious. Armed with such formidable authority of royal prerogative
and a pretence of law, Wolsey sent for the mayor of London, and desired
to know what he was willing to give for the supply of his majesty's
necessities. The mayor seemed desirous, before he should declare
himself, to consult the common council;