He never wavered in his loyalty to his own House,
where it is clear that his authority was great. But there was no limit
to the submission and reverence which he expressed to the King, and,
indeed, to his desire to bring about what the King desired, as far as it
could be safely done. Dealing with the Commons, his policy was "to be
content with the substance and not to stand on the form." Dealing with
the King, he was forward to recognise all that James wanted recognised
of his kingcraft and his absolute sovereignty. Bacon assailed with a
force and keenness which showed what he could do as an opponent, the
amazing and intolerable grievances arising out of the survival of such
feudal customs as Wardship and Purveyance; customs which made over a
man's eldest son and property, during a minority, to the keeping of the
King, that is, to a King's favourite, and allowed the King's servants to
cut down a man's timber before the windows of his house. But he urged
that these grievances should be taken away with the utmost tenderness
for the King's honour and the King's purse.
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