Page:Englishhistorica36londuoft.djvu/200

 192 THE WAR FINANCES OF HENRY V April of a reliable standing army enabled him to exercise his authority effectively. Normandy assumed a much greater importance as a source of revenue than before, because such parts of France as recognized Bedford's rule were either too much devastated or too incompletely subjugated to provide even a moiety of the finances due from the duchy. Indeed, in the latter Henry V had done his work so well that it only remained for his brother to assure tranquillity by efficient police and by holding the frontiers against Armagnac raiders while he reduced the isolated, hostile castles in Picardy and in French territory north and east of Paris. Such a policy, however, entailed two things, repeated levies of money on Normandy, and the utilization in France of troops which might otherwise ha^ye been used effectively on the Norman frontier. The first aggravated the discontent of the conquered Normans. The second laid the duchy open to attacks from the south which quickly threatened the security of the whole English regime. In fact they eventually goaded Bedford into an ambitious offensive in excess of his military strength, an offensive which went to pieces against the walls of Orleans. In the financial administration the inauguration of the regent's rule was marked by important changes in the treasury. It may perhaps be inferred that Alington was summarily dismissed, inasmuch as he was not even permitted to complete Easter term 1422, but was called upon to close his books in August. Con- sequently his fourth account is full of entries recording ' nothing received '- 1 On 1 September 1422 he was succeeded by Sir Richard Woodville, 2 whose appointment meant a temporary continuation of Henry V's administrative policy. The treasurer- general continued to direct receipts and disbursements, and to take his orders from the regent. 3 This, however, did not continue long. The greater efficiency to be obtained by closer financial union between France and Normandy was too patent to be neglected. On 2 January 1423 a treasurer and governor-general of all finances was appointed in the person of Hamon Bealknap, 4 while the office of receiver-general, held by Pierre Surreau, assumed a larger share in the administration, although still subordinate. 5 The duties of the old office of treasurer-general were divided between them. In regard to ordinary disbursements, 1 Exchequer Accts. 188/7. This is especially true of the ordinary revenue. 2 Bib. Nat., Fonds Francais, 26044, no. 5750 ; ibid. 25767, no. 6. 3 See receipt of Raoul d'Estampes, 'vicomte' of Caen (Arch, de la Seine-Inf.. Occupation Anglaise, I, Pieces Melees; British Museum, Add. Charters 87, 11484, 11508). 4 Bib. Nat., Fonds Frangais, 4485, p. 160. Beaurepaire, p. 182, fails to indicate that the date which he gives (2 January 1422) is Old Style, as in the manuscript. 5 One received 600 livres tournois a year and 6 livres tournois a day ' pour chevauchees ' ; the other 500 livres tournois a year and 4 livres tournois a day (Beau- repaire, loc. tit.).