The Reign of King Edward III

Summary

The parliament, often called The Good, is held at London

In 1376 in the fiftieth year of the reign of King Edward III, the king had a full parliament held at Westminster at the beginning of the month of May, at which, in his usual fashion, he asked the commons to grant him a subsidy for the defence of his kingdom. The commons in reply said they had been perpetually harassed by many such demands, and declared that the truth was that they could not sustain such burdens for long without the greatest harm to themselves. For they were agreed that the king plainly had sufficient resources for the defence of his realm, if his kingdom was governed sensibly and honestly; but as long as his kingdom was in the hands of untrustworthy officials, as under the present regime, it would never have an abundance of supplies or money. And so they offered to prove this to be the case, and said that if after such proof the king was found to be in need of anything, they would help him according to their means.

During the parliament many accusations were made against the king's household and various other officials of the king, particularly against Lord Latimer, his chamberlain, who had exercised a very bad influence and control over the king. And so the duke of Lancaster, Lord Latimer and many other high officials of the king were removed from their posts and others appointed in their place. Also at the request of the commons it was decreed that certain bishops and earls and other lords of praiseworthy morals should be in control of the king and the kingdom from now on, seeing that the king was now on the verge of senility and had need of such counsellors. But this body lasted barely three months because of interference by those who had been removed from the king's side, as I have described above.

Also the knights in parliament made serious complaints about a very forward woman called Alice Perrers, who had become too friendly with King Edward. They accused her especially of very many scandals in the land for which she and her cronies were responsible.