But the Duke's success fell short of his pride.

In the campaign of 1373 he traversed France without finding a foe and brought back nothing save a ruined army to English shores.

The peremptory tone in which money was demanded for the cost of this fruitless march while the petitions of the Parliament were set aside till it was granted roused the temper of the Commons.

They requested--it is the first instance of such a practice--a conference with the lords, and while granting fresh subsidies prayed that the grant should be spent only on the war.

The resentment of the government at this advance towards a control over the actual management of public affairs was seen in the calling of no Parliament through the next two years.