The pressure of the war steadily increased, and far wider measures of arbitrary taxation were needful to equip an expedition which Edward prepared to lead in person to Flanders.

The country gentlemen were compelled to take up knighthood or to compound for exemption from the burthensome honour, and forced contributions of cattle and corn were demanded from the counties.
Edward no doubt purposed to pay honestly for these supplies, but his exactions from the merchant class rested on a deliberate theory of his royal rights.

He looked on the customs as levied absolutely at his pleasure, and the export duty on wool--now the staple produce of the country--was raised to six times its former amount.

Although he infringed no positive provision of charter or statute in his action, it was plain that his course really undid all that had been gained by the Barons' war.
But the blow had no sooner been struck than Edward found stout resistance within his realm.

The barons drew together and called a meeting for the redress of their grievances.