He was driven once more to the system of Benevolences.

In every county a tenth was demanded from the laity and a fourth from the clergy by the royal commissioners.

But the demand was met by a general resistance.

The political instinct of the nation discerned as of old that in the question of self-taxation was involved that of the very existence of freedom.

The clergy put themselves in the forefront of the opposition, and preached from every pulpit that the commission was contrary to the liberties of the realm and that the king could take no man's goods but by process of law.