[1] But howsoeuer he vsed the rest of the English, Matth. Paris. Hen. Hunt. this is recorded of some writers, that by his rigorous proceedings against them, he brought to passe that the countrie was so rid of theeues and robbers, as that at length a maid might haue passed through the land with a bag full of gold, and not haue met with any misdooer to haue bereft hir of the same: a thing right strange to consider, sith in the beginning of his reigne there were such routs of outlawes and rob|bers, that the peaceabler people could not be safelie possessed of their owne houses, were the same neuer so well fortified and defended.