Note 20 — Chapter I · SUMMARY.
Reading edition
An important reason connected with the constitutional history of England may be given in explanation of the scanty nature of Margaret’s dowry, which was, in fact, supplied from the private resources of the King her father, that monarch having been disappointed of the supply which it was customary for parliament to grant in aid of the marriage of a Princess-Royal. The requisition of a subsidy for this purpose had been confidently made by King Henry, but was opposed by Sir Thomas More, then a beardless stripling, in a speech of great power and eloquence, and, for the first time in that reign, the crown was thrown into a minority on the matter of finance, for the subsidy was refused, to the infinite surprise and anger of the sovereign.—(Records of Parliament, Life of Sir Thomas More.)