Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 2.djvu/182

168 peaceably levied, and surely paid unto the king's grace without grudge, and without losing the good-will and true hearts of the subjects."



This view of the danger had been impressed on the members of the Commons by the excitement abroad during their debates. As they had passed to and fro to the House, people in the streets had caught them by the sleeve, saying, "Sirs, will ye grant four shillings in the pound." Do it, and take our curses and our threats home with you to your households!" But the king, incensed at the opposition shown, ordered the whole, which was voted for four years, to be collected at once; and thus excited the most menacing disturbances in various parts of the kingdom. The five northern provinces were exempt from the tax, on account of the Scottish war; the Cinque Ports, in virtue of their charter; and Ludlow, in consequence of a grant from Edward IV., confirmed by both Henry's father and himself, but in Kent. Essex, Huntingdonshire, Suffolk, London, and other places, the people refused to pay the tax-gatherers; and in some parts resisted them arms in hand.



The money obtained at all this cost of difficulty in Parliament, and unpopularity with the people, was lavishly expended in repelling the attempts of the Scots, in furnishing aid to the allies in Italy, and in preparing for another expedition into France. It was of the first importance, before sending the army across the Channel, to obtain security on the side of Scotland. To this end Henry made fresh overtures to his sister. Queen Margaret, offering to place her at the head of the Government, and to enable her to put down