good experience," that, " altliough godly meant," from the 

 scarcity being greater than had been anticipated, the limit was 

 " not of so good effect as was looked for." 



It was therefore revoked on the 6th December, and the piices 

 were left "to be none other than the byars and sellers could 

 agree upon ;" but the Justices were still charged, " by their 

 wysedomes, dylygences and good dexteryties, eftsones," to see 

 the markets well and sprightly kept, and that they wanted not 

 theu' reasonable furniture from "tyme to tyme.'"'" 



The scarcity continuing and with it the discontent of the poor, 

 the blame was next laid upon the "malice and naughty nature" 

 of the engrossers, " a certain kinde of people that live onely for 

 themselves as it seemeth," and who " eate and devoure as 

 well the estate of the nobility as the lower sort." As by such 

 " deuelishe malice " the King's " counsaill " was utterly per- 

 verted, he determined, though "not in ire or passion," that 

 such " lewde " persons, if they ceased not their " gredy and 

 umiatural " practices, shoidd not remain unpunished to their 

 own " dampnations."t 



All these orders and threats Avere still without effect, either 

 from the temper of the farmers or the Justices, neither perhaps 

 liking the constant interference with their properties, and the 

 latter, remembermg the arbitrary conduct of the Enclosure Com- 

 mission. The discontent amongst the Commoners consequently 

 continued, riots ensued, and the King, whilst promising punishment 

 for the engrossers, was now obliged to warn the " lower sorte," 

 who had lately " lacked all manner of reason, and beyng like to 

 sicke madmen, that either will have no physic or else will be 

 their own physitions ; had presumpteously taken upon them the 

 office of his majesty, both in reprehending theu* superiors and 

 attempting redres of thinges, after their own phantasies, with 



• State Papers, 1550, Vol. xi., fol. 15. 

 t Froclamatioa against Engrossers, 1551, 11 May. 



