ance with the
application of the commons. He was probably sensible that, besides
the diminution of his authority, many inconveniencies must necessarily
result from the abolishing of all discretionary power in every
magistrate; and that the laws, were they ever so carefully framed and
digested, could not possibly provide against every contingency; much
less, where they had not as yet attained a sufficient degree of accuracy
and refinement.

* Journ. 2d, 11th December; 5th March, 1606.

** Parliament. Hist. vol. v. p. 247. Kennet, p. 681.

But the business which chiefly occupied the commons during this session,
was the abolition of wardships and purveyance; prerogatives which had
been more or less touched on every session during the whole reign of
James. In this affair the commons employed the proper means which might
entitle them to success: they offered the king a settled revenue, as an
equivalent for the powers which he should part with; and the king was
willing to hearken to terms. After much dispute, he agreed to give up
these prerogatives for two hundred thousand pounds a year, which they
agreed to confer upon him.[*] And nothing remained towards closing the
bargain, but that the commons should determine the funds by which this
sum should be levied. This session was too far advanced to bring so
difficult a matter to a full conclusion; and though the parliament met
again towards the end of the year, and resumed the question, they were
never able to terminate an affair upon which they seemed so intent. The
journals of that session are lost; and as the historians of this
reign are very negligent in relating parliamentary affairs, of whose
importance they were not sufficiently apprised, we know not exactly the
reason of this failure. It only appears, that the king was extremely
dissatisfied with the conduct of the parliament, and soon after
dissolved it. This was his first parliament, and it sat near seven
years.

* We learn from Winwood's Memorials (vol. ii. p. 193) the
reason assigned for this particular sum. "From thence my
lord treasurer came to the price; and here he said, that the
king would no more rise and fall like a merchant. That he
would not have a flower of his crown (meaning the court of
wards) so much tossed; that it was too dainty to be so
handled; and then he said, that he must deliver the very
countenance and character of the king's mind out of his