Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 Howbeit, the bishops, abbats, priors, and other ec|clesiasticall persons, after they had shewed them|selues to rest doubtfull (not without great grudging and murmuring in the meane time, for the space of thrée or foure daies togither) at length, for feare of ex|communication, consented to be contributorie, but in such sort, as they had escaped for a farre more rea|sonable summe,Stephan de Segraue. The tenths of the spiritu|altie granted to the pope. if Stephan Segraue one of the kings councell had not by compact (as was thought) made with the Nuncio, wrought so in the matter, that the tenths were finallie granted, to the great impouerishment and inestimable damage of the church and realme of England. After this, the Nun|cio shewed the procuratorie letters, whereby he was authorised to gather those tenths, and that not after a common manner, but by a verie straight and hard valuation.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 And for the more sure waie of proceeding herein, he had letters of authoritie from the pope, to excom|municate all such as should withstand him or his de|puties in proceeding with those affaires. He shewed himselfe moreouer verie extreame in collecting of this monie, and namelie towards the prelats of the church, insomuch that appointing him a certeine day in the which vnder paine of excommunication they should make paiment, diuers for want of readie mo|nie, were compelled to make shift with the chalices, and other vessels and ornaments belonging to their churches, and other were glad to take vp monie vp|on interest,Usurers. and for that shift there were come ouer with the Nuncio diuerse wicked vsurers vnder the name of merchants, which when they saw those that stood in need like to be excommunicate for want of readie monie, they would offer themselues to lend vnto any that would borow, after the rate of one no|ble for the loane of twentie by the moneth, so bring|ing the néedie into their snares, to their irrecouera|ble losses and vndooing. Hereby the land was filled with bitter cursings (though in secret) by those that wished such vnreasonable exactors neuer to sée good end of the vse of that monie.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 From that day forward there wanted not in England certeine vsurers called Caursini, which sought nothing else but the wealth of such persons as they might get into their snares, Matth. Paris. namelie those whome the church of Rome dooth vex and put to trou|ble with hir exactions and paiments. The earle of Chester onlie stood manfullie against the paiment of those tenths,The earle of Chester wold not permit the tenths to be gathered with in his land. insomuch that he would not suffer his lands to be brought vnder bondage, neither wold he permit the religious men and préests that held of his fee to pay the same, although the rest of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland were compelled to be contributorie thereto, hauing onelie this comfort, that not they alone, but also other forren regions were driuen to doo the like. Thus did the locusts of Rome from time to time sucke the swéetnesse of the land, and all to mainteine the pompe and pride of the same, wherein what other practises did they vse, than as one truelie testifieth?
But to let this passe: king Henrie purposing to saile ouer into Britaine and inuade France,King Henrie prepareth to passe ouer into France. came to Portsmouth about Michaelmasse, with such an armie assembled out of England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, as the like for number of people had not beene knowne to haue passed ouer with any of his ancesters: howbeit when he should come to the verie point of imbarking his people, with vittels, armor, and other prouision, there were not ships sufficient to passe ouer the one halfe of the armie: wherefore when the king saw this default, he was sore offended, but chéefelie with Hubert the earle of Kent, lord chéefe iustice, insomuch that he openlie called him old trai|tor, and laid to his charge how he had thus vsed the matter of purpose, onelie to pleasure the queene of France,The earle of Kent fallen in to the kings displeasure. of whome (as he said) he had receiued fiue thousand marks to hinder his proceedings. In this heat if the earle of Chester and other had not béene at hand, he had suerlie slaine the chéefe iustice euen there with his drawne sword, who was glad to auoid his presence, till his angrie mood was somwhat ouer|passed.Cuncti luxuriae at gulae, furtis dolisCertatim incumbunt, &c.