The social strife too gathered bitterness with every effort at repression.

It was in vain that Parliament after Parliament increased the severity of its laws.

The demands of the Parliament of 1376 show how inoperative the previous Statutes of Labourers had proved.

They prayed that constables be directed to arrest all who infringed the Statute, that no labourer should be allowed to take refuge in a town and become an artizan if there were need of his service in the county from which he came, and that the king would protect lords and employers against the threats of death uttered by serfs who refused to serve.

The reply of the Royal Council shows that statesmen at any rate were beginning to feel that repression might be pushed too far.