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Traditional theories see the relationship between the Crown and medieval towns and cities to be an exploitative one where the Crown drew heavily from the towns in reward for privileges and favour. This comparative study of Bristol and York in the 14th century challenges this view by re-considering the interaction between the Crown and London on the one hand, and the ruling elites and leading townsmen on the other. What Liddy finds is that the relationship can be better characterised as a partnership where, for example, Bristol and York supplied loans and ships to the Crown and helped finance the Hundred Years War, but in return made demands for improved commercial policies. The urban elites are therefore pictured as having interests and aspirations beyond the confines of their own towns and cities and increasingly enjoyed a prominent position in national politics and government.