=Source.=--_An English Chronicle_, edited by Davies, pp. 79, 80.
(Camden Society, 1846.)
In this same time the realm of England was out of all good governance,
as it had been many days before, for the King was simple and led by
covetous counsel, and owed more than he was worth. His debts increased
daily, but payment there was none; all the possessions and lordships
that pertained to the Crown the King had given away, some to lords and
some to other simple persons, so that he had almost nought to live on.
And such impositions as were put to the people, as taxes, tallages and
quinzimes (fifteenths), all that came from them were spent in vain, for
he held no household nor maintained no wars. For these misgovernances,
and for many other, the hearts of the people were turned away from them
that had the land in governance, and their blessing was turned into
cursing. The queen with such as were of her affinity ruled the realm as
they liked, gathering riches innumerable. The officers of the realm,
and especially the earl of Wiltshire, treasurer of England, for to
enrich himself, peeled the poor people and disinherited rightful heirs
and did many wrongs. The queen was defamed and slandered, that he that
was called Prince was not her son.... Wherefore she, dreading that he
should not succeed his father in the crown of England, allied unto her
all the knights and squires of Cheshire, for to have their benevolence,
and held open household among them ... trusting through them to make her
son King.