By the Rev. J. Wilkinson. ; 293 
Flanders, desired his officers to proceed, disregarding the remon- 
stances of the barons. But the irruption of the Scots, after their 
Stirling victory, and Edward’s own weakness at Ghent before the 
French King, were strong arguments in favour of concession. In 
this conjuncture, the lords who were of the council of the young 
Prince Regent, and who ruled during the King’s absence, requested 
the two Earls, the Archbishop Winchelsea, and others, to deli- 
berate with them on the state of the realm. John Gifford was a 
member of this council. The two parties, identified in interests 
and differing in temporary relations only, soon came to an agree- 
ment at the King’s expense. The result of their conferences was 
a demand for the confirmation of the Great and Forest Charters, 
together with new securities embodied in the celebrated statute “de 
tallagio non concedendo,” subscribed first by the Prince Regent, 
then by the King in Flanders; and lastly, to guard against a possible 
equivocation that concessions made in a foreign kingdom, where he 
had no authority, were null and void, every demand was granted 
by the King in Parliament. The Earls Constable and Marshal 
with their followers did not effect this reform without much per- 
sonal danger. The Prince’s council therefore, and John Gifford as 
one of the members, engaged on oath to protect the protesting 
barons against the consequences of the royal displeasure. John 
Gifford ended a life in which he played many and important 
parts, 28th May, 1299, at Boyton, and was buried at Malmesbury, 
leaving by Margaret Neville, his third wife, to marry whom he had 
a dispensation from the Pope, which seems to imply some affinity, 
an only son and heir John 13 years of age. 
This was John Gifford, /e rych, so called from his great posses- 
sions. We find him, 1319, loyally serving in Scotland, but shortly 
afterwards he joined the discontented barons, and intrigued with 
the King of that country. He seems to have been a very active 
member of the confederacy, for he not only in his place in Parlia- 
ment assisted in banishing the De Spencers, but plundered the 
royal carriages on the King’s marching into Wales. This so in- 
censed Edward that he sent some of his troops to demolish Brimsfield 
castle. The leader of the rebellious barons was Thomas Earl of 
