Leprosy disappeared.
Infirmaries were supported by a tax of the king levied on nearby
counties. The walls, ditches, gutters, sewers, and bridges on
waterways and the coast were kept in repair by laborers hired by
commissions appointed by the Chancellor. Those who benefited from
these waterways were taxed for the repairs in proportion to their
use thereof.
Alabaster was sculptured into tombs surmounted with a recumbent
effigy of the deceased, and effigies of mourners on the sides. Few
townsmen choose to face death alone and planned memorial masses to
be sung to lift his soul beyond Purgatory. Chantries were built by
wealthy men for this purpose.
Chemical experimentation was still thought to be akin to sorcery,
so was forbidden by King Henry IV in 1404.
Gold was minted into coins: noble, half noble, and farthing.
King Henry IV lost power to the Commons and the Lords because he
needed revenue from taxes and as a usurper King, he did not carry
the natural authority of a King. The Commons acquired the right to
elect its own speaker. The lords who helped the usurpation felt
they should share the natural power of the kingship. The council
became the instrument of the Lords. Also, the Commons gained power
compared to the nobility because many nobles had died in war. The
consent of the Commons to legislation became so usual that the
justices declared that it was necessary.
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