ABSTRACT
During the desolating civil wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster, the natives of England might be said to be tillers of the ground, and in bondage to their superiors; so that whenever a battle was gained, be victor who will, the commons were sure to be slaves; but when the Two Houses were united in the person and family of Henry VII. The city of London put their militia in order, and commanded that of Westminster to hold themselves in readiness to march; and on the 10th of September the Lord-Mayor and Aldermen waited on their Sovereign with an offer of their service, declaring, 'That upon every occasion they were ready to sacrifice all that was dear and valuable to them in defence of his Majesty's person and family, and in support of the happy constitution both in church and state'.
