+Source.+--_Matthew Paris_, _Chronica Majora_, vol. ii., pp. 254-256.
(Bohn's Libraries.)
About the beginning of the year, in the octaves of the Purification, the
nobles of all England were convoked at London, to confer with the King
on the affairs of the kingdom, which was now greatly disturbed,
impoverished, and injured.... The King explained to them his purpose,
which indeed was not a secret to the community in general, and asked
pecuniary aid from them; whereupon he was severely rebuked and
reproached, in that he was not ashamed to demand such assistance at that
time, especially because on the last exaction of a similar kind, to
which the nobles of England were with difficulty induced to give their
consent, he gave his charter that he would not again make such an
exaction. He was also most severely blamed (and no wonder) for the
indiscreet way in which he summoned foreigners into the kingdom, and for
lavishly and indiscreetly scattering the property of the kingdom amongst
them, and also for marrying the nobles of the kingdom to ignoble
foreigners, thus despising and putting aside his native and natural
subjects; nor did he ask the consent of both parties, which is necessary
to the completion of a marriage. He was also blamed, and not without
reason, because he seized by force on whatever he used in the way of
meat and drink--especially wine, and even clothes--against the will of
those who sold these things, and were the true owners; wherefore the
native dealers withdrew and hid themselves, as also did foreigners, who
would otherwise bring their goods for sale to that country; thus a stop
was put to trade, by which different nations are mutually enriched and
strengthened, and thus we are defamed and impoverished, because they
obtain nothing but lawsuits and anger from the King; and by this, he the
said King incurs awful maledictions from numberless people to the peril
and disgrace of himself and the whole kingdom. From these traders,
moreover, he, in order that he may bestow alms indiscreetly, and may
make immoderate illuminations, forcibly seizes wax, silk stuffs, and
other things, without making any terms of pacification; thus bringing
scandal on himself, his kingdom, and all who inhabit it, and not without
giving serious offence to God, who holds rapine in abhorrence when
connected with an offering. In all these proceedings he tyrannises and
oppresses to such a degree that even on the sea-coast he does not allow
the herrings and other fish to be disposed of at the will of the poor
fishermen, nor do they dare to appear in the places adjoining the
sea-coast or in the cities, for fear of being robbed; so that they
consider it safer to trust themselves to the stormy billows and to seek
the further shore. The miserable traders also are so cruelly oppressed
and annoyed by the royal agents, that punishment is added to loss, and
injury is heaped upon injury, both as regards their own persons, and as
regards their carriages and their already jaded horses. The King was,
moreover, reprehended, in that he, contrary to the first and chief oath
which he made at his coronation, impoverished even to their ruin the
bishoprics and abbacies, as well as the vacant wardships founded by the
noble and holy fathers, which he for a long time detains in his own
hands, though he ought to be their protector and defender; and therefore
they are said to be in his hands, that is, under his protection. Another
complaint also was made against him by each and every one, and it was no
slight one; and this was, that, unlike his noble predecessors, he never
appointed either a Justiciary, a Chancellor, or Treasurer, in consonance
with the advice of the kingdom in general, as was expedient, but only
such persons as obeyed his pleasure in everything, provided that it was
advantageous to himself, and such as did not seek the advancement of the
common weal, but their own especial benefit, by collecting money and
obtaining wardships and revenues for themselves.