The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-24 00:00:00

year, a twentieth. In the ninth, the citizens, bur-
gesles, and tenants of the ancient- demesne gave a fif-
teenth (of land). In the fifteenth year a tenth from
the clergy, nobles, and knights, and a sixth from
citizens, burgesses, and tenants in demesne (the
working tenants).
Edward 111. was king from 1327 to 1377. This
was a warlike reign; but it was otherwise remark-
able. Tne power of the Pope was absolute, and
the English Parliament for the first time alleged
"that the exactions of his Holiness were a greater source
of impoverishment than the wars ; that the taxes
levied by him exceeded five times those levied by the
King." John Wickliffe fanned this insubordination
to a flame. In 1346, Edward, by proclamation, com-
pelled every owner of land to furnish horsemen and
archers in proportion to his estate. This was for the
expedition to France, famous in history for the battle
of Cressy seige of Calais, heroism of his son, the Black
Prince, &e. Edward required, also, a certain sum of
money for every city and borough. The Commons
petitioned the King against this ordinance, on the
ground that it had been issued without their consent.
The King replied that it was a measure of necessity ;
but the Commons repeated their objection, and were
so urgent in their remonstrance that the King pro-
mised this ordinance should not form a precedent for
future exactions. Fifteenths or tenths (of land) were
granted almost every year after the wars with
France and Scotland began. 1340, the tenth sheaf of
corn, tenth fleece of wool, and tenth lamb were granted,
besides 30,000 sacks of wool. 1341, the ninth sheaf,
fleece, and lamb. 1363, in addition to fifteenths and
tenths of land, a grant of 20s. for every sack of wool,
and for every 300 wool fells exported ; and 403. for
every last of leather. In 1970, 435. 41. upon every
sack of wool, and 41. on every last of leather exported,
besides the usual revenue of tenths and fifteenths of
land. 1372, a subsidy of 50,0001, raised on every
parish proportionably, computed at 51. 16s. each pa-
rish, on an average (e land tax). 1373, Parliament
granted 25. on every tun of wine, and 6d. in the pound
for all merchandise, in oonsideration of the protection
of merchant ships and foreign trade. This, so far as
is now known, was the original of tonnage and pound-
age. In 1377 a poll-tax of 41 on every head above
14 years of age was granted. Parliament disco's-
tented, because " Alice Piers wasted the King's mo-
ney." They caused her to be removed from court,
but her fascination was stronger than the Parliament,
and she returned. "Lawyers, being a mean sort of
people," were forbidden to sit in this Parliament.
Hitherto an Act of Parliament was in shape of a pe-
tition to the King ; if granted, the petition was co•
pied and deposited in Chancery; but the clerks, often
altering them in copying to suit the King, unknown to
the Commons, the latter now insiste_d:that the copies
should be made while they were in session, and read
to them aloud. Their imperfect knowledge of finan-
cial statistics was exemplified in the teex granted by
them in 1371. It was an aid of 50,0001., to be raised
by a levy of 235. 3d. on each parish, they supposing
the number of parishes to be about 45,000. It was
found they did not amount to more than one-fifth of
that number, and that only one-fifth of the tax was
raised. To remedy this, a new Parliament was sum-
moned in June, which fixed the assessment at Si. 16s.
Richard 11. was king from 1377 to 1399. The
taxes of this reign were the usual revenues from land,
15the and half-15ths on wool, wool fells (skins with
wool on), and leather, exported ; 3s. on the tun of
wine, and per pound value of merchandise im-
ported in 1387 ; the same was granted next year. In
1394 the same was granted for three years. But the
most memorable tax of this reign was a poll-tax in
1379, upon which arose Wat Tyler's rebellion. The
scale was as follows :