lworth, subscribed respectively L5; whilst the rest contributed sums
varying from L4 down to five marks, the last mentioned sum being
subscribed by Richard "Whytyngdon" of famous memory.(632)

(M342)

The grants made to the king by the parliament at Gloucester were soon
exhausted by the war, and recourse was had, as usual, to the City. In
February, 1379, the mayor and aldermen were sent for to Westminster. They
were told that the king's necessities demanded an immediate supply of
money, and that the Duke of Lancaster and the rest of the nobility had
consented to contribute. What would the City do? After a brief
consultation apart, the mayor and aldermen suggested that the usual course
should be followed and that they should be allowed to consult the general
body of the citizens in the Guildhall. Eventually the City consented to
advance another sum of L5,000 on the same security as before, but any tax
imposed by parliament at its next session was to be taken as a set
off.(633)

(M343)

At the session of parliament held in April and May (1379), the demand for
further supply became so urgent that a poll-tax was imposed on a graduated
scale according to a man's dignity, ranging from ten marks or L6 1_s._
4_d._ imposed on a duke, to a groat or four pence which the poorest
peasant was called upon to pay. The mayor of London, assessed as an earl,
was to pay L4; and the aldermen, assessed as barons, L2. The sum thus
furnished by the city amounted to less than L700,(634) and the whole
amount levied on the country did not exceed L22,000, a sum far short of
what had been anticipated.

(M344)

In the following year (1380) there was a recurrence to the old method of
raising money, but this proving still insufficient a poll-tax was again
resorted to. This time, the smallest sum exacted was not less than three
groats, and was payable on everyman, woman and unmarried child, above the
age of fifteen, throughout the country. The amount thus raised in the city
and liberties was just over L1000.(635) The tax was especially irritating
from its inquisitorial character, and led to serious consequences.

(M345)

The country was already suffering under a general discontent, when a
certain Wat Tyler in Kent struck down a collector of the poll-tax, who
attempted in an indecent manner to discover his daughter's age. This was
the signal for a revolt of the peasants from one end of England to the
other, not only against payment of this par