Page:A History and Defence of Magna Charta.djvu/85

Rh called a parliament to Northampton, and gave them full ſatisfaction for their demands.

years after, the barons had an outrageous violation of Magna Charta to complain of, and a intolerable grievance to the nation: For the King had for only filled the office of his court with Poitovins, to the great oppreſſion of his natural ſubjects, but alſo had invited in two thouſand Poitovins and Britonss with which he garriſoned his caſtles. Upon this, earl, the marſhal of the kingdom, taking ſeveral of the lords along with him, went boldly to the King, and openly reproved him, that becauſe by evil counſels he had called in Poitovin foreigners to the oppreſſion of his realm, and natural born ſubjets of the realm, of their laws likewiſe and liberties, wherefore he humbly beſought the King that he would ſpeedily reform ſuch abuſes as theſe, which were the imminent deſtruction of his crown and realm. Moreover he affirmed, that if the King refuſed this proceeding, both he and the reſt of the noblemen of the kingdom would ſo long continue to withdraw themſelves from his councils, as he conſorted with foreigners. To this,, biſhop of Wincheſter, who was prime miniſter, made anſwer, That it was very lawful