Dare. She was then questioned by Laxton (as the temporal authority) on the same points. After Bishop Bonner's Chancellor had also interviewed her, Laxton put her in temporary custody, refusing to accept sureties, and telling Anne's cousin Brittayne that he would be glad to help her but could neither imprison or bail her without consent of the spiritual powers. Of this John Bale remarked, 'The Mayor of London, which is the king's lieutenant, and representeth there his own person, standeth here like a dead idol, or like such a servant slave who can do nothing within his own city concerning their matters.' However, Laxton's adherence to due process ended in a Not Guilty verdict for Anne in June 1545, and she was acquitted: and the authority of his office was maintained. Duty of service was again subverted when Richard Jerveis obtained letters patent freeing him from his aldermanry and from future city office. Laxton and the aldermen went in a body to Greenwich and laid their objections before the King and Privy Council, and Jerveis was induced to resume his office. The Council meanwhile charged the Aldermen to summon the wealthiest citizens to complete the payment of the King's Subsidy. In an atmosphere of growing alarm, large grain imports became necessary, for which the aldermen met the initial costs. The French navy blockaded the Pas de Calais and made attacks on the English coast, and the Mary Rose sank at Portsmouth. A great muster from London marched to Farnham prepared to repel a French army which landed on the Isle of Wight. Intensive house-searches and curfews were imposed on all strangers living in London, and a nightly mounted watch was maintained by the aldermen, Laxton himself taking the first duty. Another muster of 1000 city men was gathered at Finsbury Fields and sent to Dover from Gravesend. Late in 1545 Sir John Aleyn died after 30 years' service as alderman, and Laxton transferred to the Lime Street ward vacated by his death. Aleyn bequeathed a new Mayoral chain of office, and on St Edward's Day (13 October), his memorable year drawing to its close, Sir William Laxton became the first to wear it as Sir Martin Bowes was elected to succeed him. It was seemingly during Laxton's mayoral year that his stepdaughter Joan Luddington married John Machell, a rising figure in the Clothworkers' Company, whose first wife Ellen was buried