Crusades were even undertaken in this quarrel; and the zealous bishop of Norwich, in particular, led over, in 1382 near sixty thousand bigots into Flanders against the Clementines; but after losing a great part of his followers, he returned with disgrace into England.[*] Each pope, sensible, from this prevailing spirit among the people, that the kingdom which once embraced his cause would always adhere to him, boldly maintained all the pretensions of his see, and stood not much more in awe of the temporal sovereigns, than if his authority had not been endangered by a rival.
We meet with this preamble to a law enacted at the very beginning of this reign: "Whereas divers persons of small garrison of land or other possessions do make great retinue of people, as well of esquires as of others, in many parts of the realm, giving to them hats and other livery of one suit by year taking again towards them the value of the same livery, or percase the double value, by such covenant and assurance, that every of them shall maintain other in all quarrels, be they reasonable or unreasonable, to the great mischief and oppression of the people, etc."[**] * Froissard, liv.i.chap.133, 134.Walsing.p.298, 299, 300.etc.Knyghtor., p.

2671.
** I Richard, II.chap.

7 This preamble contains a true picture of the state of the kingdom.

The laws had been so feebly executed, even during the long, active, and vigilant reign of Edward III., that no subject could trust to their protection.

Men openly associated themselves, under the patronage of some great baron, for their mutual defence.