244 KANSAS UNlVEkSITY QUAkTERLV. 



them might use. I interpret this to mean that in consequence of the 

 jealousy existing between the king, Richard II., and the commons, 

 and of the uprising of the lower classes under Wat Tyler, Langland, 

 without changing his opinions, so modified this expression of them as 

 to remove any cause of friction there may have been in his original 

 blunt statement. 



The sub-classification of the clergy and commons in respect to rank, 

 profession, or trade, is reasonably complete and minute. The most 

 considerable list is given in the description of the field full of folk, (A, 

 Prol.). A general resume is as follows. The religious occupations, pro- 

 fessions, or orders, comprise anchorites and hermits, pilgrims and 

 palmers, the four orders of mendicant friars, pardoners, parish- 

 priests, bachelors, bishops, cardinals, and the pope. The commons 

 is resolved into the legal profession with its various grades and 

 officers, — magistrates, sergeants, "sysours and somners, shereyves and 

 here clerks," beadles, bailiffs, advocates (cf. C, III., 59); merchants, 

 petty tradesmen of all sorts, and handicraftsmen, as bakers, butchers, 

 and brewsters many, woollen websters and weavers of linen, tailors, 

 tanners, and tuckers also, masons, miners and delvers, cooks and 

 taverners (A, Prol., 98-109). - Then may be added those who live 

 upon others; minstrels, beggars, jesters (A, Prol , 32-40; cf. corre- 

 sponding passages in B and C). 



Kiiiff. The passage quoted (page 243) names as the funda- 

 mental divisions of society, or the three estates, the nobility, the 

 clergy, and the commons. The source of the royal power is laid 

 down in language unmistakable. Then follow specific maxims for 

 kingly guidance, besides the general teaching that may be gathered 

 from the fable of the cat and the rats (B, Prol., 145), and from the 

 poem of Richard the Redeless. 



Deriving his power from the commons, he owes to them, in return 

 for service and obedience, "law, love, and leaky," absolute impar- 

 tiality (C, IV., 381), faithful observance of law (B, Prol., 140), and 

 protection from all enemies. That is, he is recognized as a judge 

 who must be both just and merciful (C, I., 152), an executive, a com- 

 mander, and in some sense a lawmaker; though as to the latter point, 

 it would appear that he may legislate for the commons by their cour- 

 tesy rather than by right (B, Prol., 143). As executive, he may claim 

 the help of the commons in enforcing the law, and may not easily suc- 

 ceed without it (C, v., 176). He may also claim of the commons 

 financial support, but should rather ask than demand (C, XXII., 

 467 ff.). He is subject to the laws as well as charged with their 

 execution, is responsible to the power that created him (the commons) 

 in that he may forfeit their love and respect, though Langland hesi- 



