The inhabitants cursvfl tlic Duke for thes lands so inclosyd."* 

 There was also the debased currency, a large quantity of which 

 was turned out at Bristol, and which had become so bad that 

 Edward, hoping to correct it, ordered the sliilling to pass for 

 ninepence, and the groat for threepence. As then every twenty 

 shillings paid for land would produce only fifteen, the landlords 

 rose their rents to meet the reduction, as did the dealers the price 

 of every commodity. But against this the Avages of the labourer 

 remained fixed, at a rate ordered by the Justices in Quarter 

 Sessions, and which was very seldom varied. With these changes 

 there happened one of the ever-recurring periods of scarcity, and 

 a consequent loud outcry from the " poorer" sort. In 1547, the 

 plenty had been such that corn could be exported ; yet, in 1548, 

 the deficiency was so great that much suffering and trouble ensued. 

 The poor, obliged to feed upon peas and oats, " like beasts," con- 

 ceived a wonderful hatred against the gentry, considering them 

 all as enemies, who fleeced them for their private benefit, and 

 "flayed" them by public services and customs. t | 



This general discontent was seized upon, as a good opportunity, 

 by "divers unlearned and undiscreete preachers and other 

 priestes, of a develishe mynd and intent," to lay all the blame 

 upon the Reformed religion, and to incite the people to 

 disobedience, and " stubbornesse against the King's godly 

 proceedings," to his majes.ty's " no little grief." § The plan was 

 fairly successful, as the use of the " newe" religion was " not yet 

 prynted in the stomacks of eleven of twelve partes," in the realm, 

 although outwardly they conformed. || 



To meet the emergency the Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector, 



* Itinerary, Vol. vii., pt. 2, p. 95. 2nd Edition.- 



t Duke of Somerset to Sir Philip Hody. Harleian MSS. 523. 



t Sir Jno. Hay ward's History of Edward VI. Harleian MSS. 6021. 



§ Proclamation, Edward VI., 24th April, 1548. 



II State papers, Edward VI., Vol. viii , fol. 64. Sir William Paget to Duke 



of Somerset. 



