The same Passage, and in almost the same Words, is recorded in the Book of Annals, fol. 64. and in the Great Chronicle, Vol. 4. fol. 242. where these very remarkable Words are further added.—­“In that Council it was appointed, that certain approved Men shou’d be chosen out of each of the Estates, who shou’d establish the Commonwealth, and take care that Right and Justice shou’d be done.”  But Gillius in the Place above-mention’d says:  “After the Battel at Montlebery, many well-affected and prudent Men were elected to be Guardians of the Publick Good, according as it had been agreed upon between the King and the Nobles; among whom the Count of Dunois was the Principal, as having been the chief Promoter of that Rising.”—­For it had grown into Custom after the Wealth of the Ecclesiasticks was excessively increas’d, to divide the People into Three Orders or Classes, whereof the Ecclesiasticks made one; and when those Curators of the Commonwealth were chosen, Twelve Persons were taken out of each Order.  So that it was enacted in that Council, that 36 Guardians of the Republick shou’d be created, with Power, by common Consent, to redress all the Abuses of the Publick.  Concerning which Thing, Monstrellettus, Vol. 4. fol. 150 writes thus:  “In the first Place (says he) it was decreed, that for the re-establishing the State of the Commonwealth, and the easing the People of the Burthen of their Taxes, and to compensate their Losses, 36 Men shou’d be elected, who shou’d have Regal Authority; viz. 12 out of the Clergy, 12 out of the Knights, and 12 skilful in the Laws of the Land; to whom Power should be given of inspecting and enquiring into the Grievances and Mischiefs under which the Kingdom laboured, and to apply Remedies to all:  And the King gave his Promise in Verbo Regis, That whatsoever those 36 Men shou’d appoint to be done, he wou’d ratify and confirm.”

Oliver de la Marck, a Flemming, in his History, cap. 35. writes the same Thing, and mentions the same Number of 36 Guardians or Curators of the Commonwealth.  And he farther adds; “That because the King did not stand to his Promise, but violated his Faith, and the Solemn Oath which he had publickly sworn, a most cruel War was kindled in Francogallia, which set it all in a Flame, and continued near 13 Years.  Thus that King’s Perjury was punish’d both by his own Infamy, and the People’s Destruction.”

Upon the whole Matter ’tis plain, that ’tis not yet a hundred Years compleat, since the Liberties of Francogallia, and the Authority of its annual General Council, flourished in full Vigor, and exerted themselves against a King of ripe Years, and great Understanding; for he was above 40 Years old, and of such great Parts, as none of our Kings have equall’d him.  So that we may easily perceive that our Commonwealth, which at first was founded and establish’d upon the Principles of Liberty, maintained it self in the same free and sacred State, (even by Force and Arms) against all the Power of Tyrants for more then Eleven Hundred Years.