The great gain to England from these wars was not in the territory
conquered, but in the new feeling of unity they aroused among all
classes. The memory of the brave deeds achieved in those fierce
contests on a foreign soil never faded out. The glory of the Black
Prince (SS238, 241), whose rusted helmet and dented shield still hang
above his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral,[1] became one with the glory
of the plain bowmen, whose names are found only in country
churchyards.
[1] This is probably the oldest armor of the king in Great Britain.
See Stothard's "Monumental Effigies."
Henceforth, whatever lingering feeling of jealousy and hatred had
remained in England, between the Norman and the Englishman (S192), now
gradually melted away. An honest, patriotic pride made both feel that
at last they had become a united and homogeneous people.
The second effect of the wars was political. In order to carry them
on, the King had to apply constantly to Parliament for money (SS217,
220). Each time that body granted a supply, they insisted on some
reform which increased their strength, and brought the Crown more and
more under the influence of the nation. (See Summary of
Constitutional History in the Appendix, p. xii, S13.)
The it came to be clearly understood that though the King held the
sword, the people held the purse; and that the ruler who made the
greatest concessions got the largest grants.
It was also in this reign that the House of Commons (SS213, 217, 262),
which now sat as a separate body, obtained the important power of
impeaching, or bringing to trial before the upper House, any of the
King's ministers or council who should be accused of misgovernment
(1376). (See S247, and Summary of Constitutional History in the
Appendix, p. xii, S13.)
About this time, also, statutes were passed which forbade appeals from
the King's courts of justice to that of the Pope,[1] who was then a
Frenchman, and was believed to be under French political influence.
Furthermore, all foreign Church officials were prohibited from asking
or taking money from the English Church, or interfering in any way
with its management.[2]
[1] First Statute of Provisors (1351) and of Praemunire (1353)
(S265). The first Statute of Praemunire did not mention the Pope or
the Court of Rome by name; the second, or Great Statute of Praemunire
of 1393, expressly mentioned them in the strongest terms. See
Constitutionals Documents in the Appendix, p. xxxii.
[2] Statute of Provisors (1351), and see S265.