ns, whose very existence was ignored.(242) It is
not surprising that, under a mayor so thoroughly in sympathy with the
people, opportunity was taken by the citizens to rectify abuses from which
they had so long suffered. Their trade had been prejudiced by the number
of foreigners which the king had introduced into the city, and accordingly
we read of an attack made on the houses of some French merchants. Rights
of way which had been stopped up, were again opened, and where land had
been illegally built upon, the buildings were abated.

The chronicler complains of the populace acting "like so many justices
itinerant." It was in vain that the king addressed a letter to the mayor
and citizens, setting forth that the dissensions between himself and the
barons had been settled, and commanding his peace to be kept as well
within the city as without.(243)

(M152)

The popular movement received every encouragement from the barons. Let
those who were disaffected put their complaints into writing, and the
barons would see that the matter was duly laid before the king, and that
the city's liberties were not diminished. Fortified with such promises,
the mayor set to work at once to organize the craft guilds. Ordinances
were drawn up "abominations" Fitz-Thedmar calls them(244) for the
amelioration of the members, and everything was done that could be done to
better their condition.

(M153)

A few days before Henry and the barons had concluded a temporary peace,
the citizens had been greatly excited by an action of the king's son.
Henry was, as usual, in want of money, and had failed to raise a loan in
the city. His son came to his assistance and seized the money and jewels
lying at the Temple (29th June). The citizens were so exasperated at this
high-handed proceeding on the part of the prince that they vented their
spleen on the queen, and pelted her with mud and stones, calling her all
kinds of opprobrious names, as she attempted to pass in her barge under
London Bridge on her way from the Tower to Windsor. (13th July).(245)

Such conduct very naturally incensed the king and his son against the
citizens. Henry was angry with them, moreover, for having admitted the
barons contrary to his express orders.(246) It is not surprising,
therefore, that when Fitz-Thomas presented himself before the Barons of
the Exchequer to be admitted to the mayoralty for the third year in
succession, they refused to admit him by the king's orders,