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SIR JOHN FROISSART
Chronicles of England, France, Spain and the adjoining countries
from the latter part of the reign of Edward II to the coronation of Henry IV. Vol.5
page 343
CHAP. LVII.
THE POPULACE OF ENGLAND REBEL AGAINST THE NOBILITY.
XX7HILE thefe conferences were going forward, * there happened in England great commo-tions among'the lower ranks of the people, by which England was near ruined without refouice. Never was a country in fuch jeopardy as this was at that period, and all through the too great comfort otf the commonalty. Rebellion was ftirred up, as it was. formerly done in France by the Jacques Bons-hommes, who did much evil, and fore troubled the kingdom of France.
It i$ marvellous from what a trifle this peftilcnce raged in England. In order that it may ferve as m example to mankind, I will fpeak of all that was done, from the information I h?d at the time on thç fobjed.
It is cuftomary in England, as well as in feveral other countries, for the nobility to have great pri-vileges over the commonalty, whom they keep in bondage i that is to fay, there are bound by law and cuftom to plow the lands of gentlemen, to harveft the grain, to carry it home to the barn, to thraftx and winnow it: they are alfo bound to harveft the hay and carry it home. All thefe fer-
vices
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