In the fifteenth century the defence of the Hanseatic franchises became more important than ever, in the light of increasingly stringent parliamentary legislation directed against alien merchants. Although not continuously enforced, this posed an ever-present threat to individuals and groups who disregarded the letter of the law, and was particularly dangerous during recurring periods of active anti-alien sentiment. The 1303 customs duties were still levied, but the reciprocal privileges conferred by Edward I's Carta Mercatoria were virtually forgotten. Only by constantly citing the usage of their own liberties granted before and since that date could the Hanse merchants hope to gain exemption from general legislation. Even then their appeals were not always successful. The threat to aliens was not immediately apparent at the accession of Henry IV, since his first parliament (October 1399) actually confirmed their right to sell victuals by retail as well as in gross. Thereafter, parliaments were almost uniformly hostile. Those of 1401 and 1402 re-enacted the bullion and employment acts and requested the king to enforce them more strictly. The employment act now required aliens to expend the whole of the proceeds from the sale of imports upon English goods, instead of merely half as before. Later parliaments of Henry IV and his heirs enlarged the acts, not merely to ensure obedience but to trammel aliens in other directions.