The sum was, during some reigns, precarious and uncertain; it was sometimes levied without allowing the vassal the liberty of personal service;[*******] and it was a usual artifice of the king's to pretend an expedition, that he might be entitled to levy the scutage from his military tenants.
[* LL.Will.i.cap.

61.] [** Madox, p.

530.] [*** Madox, p.529.This author says a fifteenth.
But it is not easy to reconcile this account to other authorities.] [**** Madox, p.

529.] [***** Madox, Hist.

of the Exch.p.275, 276, 277, etc.] [****** LL.Will.Conq.sect.