first, to gain time, but did not fulfil his promises. Ultimately
the people gained part of their demands. To limit or defeat them,
an act was passed, fixing the wages of laborers to 4d. per day,
with meat and drink, or 6d. per day, without meat and drink, and
others in proportion; but with the proviso, that if any one refused
to serve or labor on these terms, every justice was at liberty to
send him to jail, there to remain until he gave security to serve
and labor as by law required. A subsequent act prevents their being
employed by the week, or paid for holidays.

Previous to this period, the major barons and great lords tilled
their land by serfs, and had very large flocks and herds of cattle.
On the death of the Bishop of Winchester, 1367, his executors
delivered to Bishop Wykeham, his successor in the see, the
following: 127 draught horses, 1556 head of cattle, 3876 wedders,
4777 ewes, and 3541 lambs. Tillage was neglected; and in 1314 there
was a severe dearth; wheat sold at a price equal to L30 per
quarter, the brewing of ale was discontinued by proclamation, in
order "to prevent those of middle rank from perishing for want of
food."

The dissensions among the descendants of Edward III. as to the
right to the Crown aided the nobles in their efforts to make their
estates hereditary, and the civil wars which afflicted the nation
tended to promote that object. Kings were crowned and discrowned at
the will of the nobles, who compelled the FREEMEN to part with
their small estates. The oligarchy dictated to the Crown, and
oppressed and kept down the FREEMEN. The nobles allied themselves
with the serfs, who were manumitted that they might serve as
soldiers in the conflicting armies.