This authority, in their long and bloody wars with the Danes, it was found necessary to increase, and often to increase beyond the ancient limits.
Aldermen were created for life; they were then frequently made hereditary; some were vested with a power over others; and at this period we begin to hear of dukes who governed over several shires, and had many aldermen subject to them.

These officers found means to turn the royal bounty into an instrument of becoming independent of its authority.

Too great to obey, and too little to protect, they were a dead weight upon the country.

They began to cast an eye on the crown, and distracted the nation by cabals to compass their designs.

At the same time they nourished the most terrible feuds amongst themselves.