they were before. And moreover, though great sums
have been continually granted by and levied upon them, for the defence
of the kingdom, yet they are not the better defended against their
enemies, but every year are plundered and wasted by sea and land,
without any relief. Which calamities the said poor commons, who lately
used to live in honour and prosperity, can no longer endure. And to
speak the real truth, these injuries lately done to the poorer commons,
more than they ever suffered before, caused them to rise and to commit
the mischief done in their late riot; and there is still cause to fear
greater evils, if sufficient remedy be not timely provided against the
outrages and oppressions aforesaid. Wherefore may it please our lord the
king, and the noble peers of the realm now assembled in this parliament,
to provide such remedy and amendment as to the said administration, that
the state and dignity of the king in the first place, and of the lords,
may be preserved, as the commons have always desired, and the commons
may be put in peace; removing, as soon as they can be detected, evil
ministers and counsellors, and putting in their stead the best and most
sufficient, and taking away all the bad practices which have led to the
last rising, or else none can imagine that this kingdom can longer
subsist without greater misfortunes than it ever endured. And for God's
sake let it not be forgotten that there be put about the king, and of
his council, the best lords and knights that can be found in the
kingdom.

"And be it known (the entry proceeds) that, after the king our lord with
the peers of the realm and his council had taken advice upon these
requests made to him for his good and his kingdom's as it really
appeared to him, willed and granted that certain bishops, lords, and
others should be appointed to survey and examine in privy council both
the government of the king's person and of his household, and to suggest
proper remedies wherever necessary, and report them to the king. And it
was said by the peers in parliament, that, as it seemed to them, if
reform of government were to take place throughout the kingdom, it
should begin by the chief member, which is the king himself, and so from
person to person, as well churchmen as others, and place to place, from
higher to lower, without sparing any degree."[148] A considerable number
of commissioners were accordingly appointed, whether by the king alone,
or in parli