262 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 



pounds and better ; and that chiefly levied upon the 1 

 wealthier sort. There is a tradition of a dilemma, 

 that Bishop Morton the chancellor used, to raise up 

 the benevolence to higher rates ; and some called it 

 his fork, and some his crutch. For he had couched 

 an article in the instructions to the commissioners 

 who were to levy the benevolence ; &quot; That if they 

 &quot; met with any that were sparing, they should tell 

 &quot; them, that they must needs have, because they 

 &quot; laid up : and if they were spenders, they must 

 &quot; needs have, because it was seen in their port and 

 &quot; manner of living.&quot; So neither kind came amiss. 



This parliament was merely a parliament of war; 

 for it was in substance but a declaration of war 

 against France and Scotland, with some statutes 

 conducing thereunto : as, the severe punishing of 

 mort-pays, and keeping back of soldiers wages in 

 captains ; the like severity for the departure of 

 soldiers without licence ; strengthening of the com 

 mon law in favour of protections for those tSiat were 

 in the king s service ; and the setting the gate open 

 and wide for men to sell or mortgage their lands, 

 without fines for alienation, to furnish themselves 

 with money for the war ; and lastly, the voiding of 

 all Scottish men out of England. There was also a 

 statute for the dispersing of the standard of the ex 

 chequer throughout England; thereby to size weights 

 and measures ; and two or three more of less im 

 portance. 



After the parliament was broken up, which lasted 

 not long, the king went on with his preparations for 

 the war of France ; yet neglected not in the mean 



