sand pounds.

* Rymer, vol. x. p. 114.

** Liv. iv. chap. 86.

*** Rymer, vol. x. p. 113.

**** Fleetwood's Chronicon Preciosum, p. 52

None of the princes of the house of Lancaster ventured to impose taxes
without consent of parliament: their doubtful or bad title became so far
of advantage to the constitution. The rule was then fixed, and could not
safely be broken afterwards, even by more absolute princes.

CHAPTER XX.

[Illustration: 1_265_henry6.jpg HENRY VI.]

HENRY VI.

CONTEMPORARY MONARCHS.

{1422.} During the reigns of the Lancastrian princes, the authority of
parliament seems to have been more confirmed, and the privileges of
the people more regarded, than during any former period; and the two
preceding kings, though men of great spirit and abilities, abstained
from such exertions of prerogative, as even weak princes, whose title
was undisputed, were tempted to think they might venture upon with
impunity. The long minority, of which there was now the prospect,
encouraged still further the lords and commons to extend their
influence; and without paying much regard to the verbal destination
of Henry V., they assumed the power of giving a new arrangement to the
whole administration. They declined altogether the name of "Regent" with
regard to England: they appointed the duke of Bedford "protector" or
"guardian" of that kingdom, a title which they supposed to imply less
authority: they invested the duke of Glocester with the same dignity
during the absence of his elder brother;[*] and in order to limit the
power of both these princes, they appointed a council, without whose
advice and approbation no measure of importance could be determined.[**]
The person and education of the infant prince were committed to Henry
Beaufort, bishop of Winchester, his great uncle, and the legitimated son
of John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaster; a prelate who, as his family could
never have any pretensions to the crown, might safely, they thought, be
intrusted with that important charge.[***]

* Rymer, vol. x. p. 261. Cotton, p. 564.

** Cotton, p. 564.

*** Hall, fol. 83. Monstrelet, vol. ii. p. 27.

The two princes, the dukes of Bedford and Glocester, who seemed injured
by this plan of government, yet, being persons of great integrity and
honor, acquiesced in any appointment which tended to give security
to the public; and as the wars in France appeared to be the obje