His profligacy was now bringing him to a premature old age.

He was sinking into the tool of his ministers and his mistresses.

The glitter and profusion of his court, his splendid tournaments, his feasts, his Table Round, his new order of chivalry, the exquisite chapel of St.Stephen whose frescoed walls were the glory of his palace at Westminster, the vast keep which crowned the hill of Windsor, had ceased to throw their glamour round a king who tricked his Parliament and swindled his creditors.

Edward paid no debts.

He had ruined the wealthiest bankers of Florence by a cool act of bankruptcy.