A longer night was to intervene; however, before the dawn of day.
The crown-appointed functionaries had been, of course, financial officers.

They collected the revenue of the sovereign, one third of which slipped through their fingers into their own coffers.

Becoming sovereigns themselves, they retain these funds for their private emolument.

Four principal sources yielded this revenue: royal domains, tolls and imposts, direct levies and a pleasantry called voluntary contributions or benevolences.

In addition to these supplies were also the proceeds of fines.