Henry had his body brought up to London and exposed to public view in St. Paul’s Cathedral, in order that not only the people, but all would-be conspirators might now see that Richard’s hands could never again wield the scepter.

There was, however, one man at least who refused to be convinced.  Owen Glendower, a Welshman, whom the late King had befriended, declared that Richard was still living, and that the corpse exhibited was not his body.  Glendower prepared to maintain his belief by arms.  King Henry mustered a force with the intention of invading Wales and crushing the rebel on his own ground; but a succession of terrible tempests ensued.

The English soldiers got the idea that Glendower raised these storms, for as an old chronicle declares:  “Through art magike he [Glendower] caused such foule weather of winds, tempest, raine, snow, and haile to be raised for the annoiance of the King’s armie, that the like had not beene heard of."[2] For this reason the troops became disheartened, and the King was obliged to postpone the expedition.

[2] Holinshed’s “Chronicle.”

281.  Rovolt of the Percies; Bold Step of the House of Commons, 1407.

The powerful Percy family had been active in helping Henry to obtain the throne,[3] and had spent large sums in defending the North against invasions from Scotland.[4] They expected a royal reward for these services, and were sorely disappointed because they did not get it.  As young Henry Percy said of the King: 

“My father, and my uncle, and myself,
Did give him that same royalty he wears;
And,—­when he was not six-and-twenty strong,
Sick in the world’s regard, wretched and low,
A poor, unminded outlaw sneaking home,—­
My father gave him welcome to the shore: 
. . . . . . . . 
Swore him assistance and perform’d it too."[1]

[3] Thomas Percy, Earl of Worcester, with Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and his son, Sir Henry Percy, or “Hotspur” (S257). [4] See the “Ballad of Chevy Chase.” [1] Shakespeare’s “Henry IV,” Part I, Act IV, scene iii.

But the truth is, King Henry had little to give except promises.  Parliament voted money cautiously, limiting its supplies to specific purposes.  Men of wealth, feeling anxious about the issue of the King’s usurpation,—­for such many regarded it,—­were afraid to lend him what he required.

In 1406 the House of Commons (SS213, 217) took a very decisive step.  It demanded and obtained first, the exclusive right of originating all “Money Bills,” or in other words, of making all grants of money which the King asked for.  This practically gave the people the control of the nation’s purse.[2] Secondly, the Commons demanded and obtained from the King that he should not in any way interfere with the right to deliberate what action they should take in regard to making such grants of money.  Besides being held in check by the House of Commons, the King was hampered by a council whose advice he had pledged himself to follow.  For these reasons Henry’s position was in every way precarious.