第12章

Then,hewenttoLondonandwascrownedwithgreatsplendour.

AnewParliamentmet.NofewerthanonehundredandfiftyoftheprincipalnoblemenandgentlemenontheLancastersideweredeclaredtraitors,andtheKing-whohadverylittlehumanity,thoughhewashandsomeinpersonandagreeableinmanners-

resolvedtodoallhecould,topluckuptheRedRoserootandbranch.

QueenMargaret,however,wasstillactiveforheryoungson.SheobtainedhelpfromScotlandandfromNormandy,andtookseveralimportantEnglishcastles.But,Warwicksoonretookthem;theQueenlostallhertreasureonboardshipinagreatstorm;andbothsheandhersonsufferedgreatmisfortunes.Once,inthewinterweather,astheywereridingthroughaforest,theywereattackedandplunderedbyapartyofrobbers;and,whentheyhadescapedfromthesemenandwerepassingaloneandonfootthroughathickdarkpartofthewood,theycame,allatonce,uponanotherrobber.SotheQueen,withastoutheart,tookthelittlePrincebythehand,andgoingstraightuptothatrobber,saidtohim,"Myfriend,thisistheyoungsonofyourlawfulKing!Iconfidehimtoyourcare."Therobberwassurprised,buttooktheboyinhisarms,andfaithfullyrestoredhimandhismothertotheirfriends.

Intheend,theQueen"ssoldiersbeingbeatenanddispersed,shewentabroadagain,andkeptquietforthepresent.

Now,allthistime,thedeposedKingHenrywasconcealedbyaWelshknight,whokepthimcloseinhiscastle.But,nextyear,theLancasterpartyrecoveringtheirspirits,raisedalargebodyofmen,andcalledhimoutofhisretirement,toputhimattheirhead.TheywerejoinedbysomepowerfulnoblemenwhohadswornfidelitytothenewKing,butwhowereready,asusual,tobreaktheiroaths,whenevertheythoughttherewasanythingtobegotbyit.OneoftheworstthingsinthehistoryofthewaroftheRedandWhiteRoses,istheeasewithwhichthesenoblemen,whoshouldhavesetanexampleofhonourtothepeople,lefteithersideastheytookslightoffence,orweredisappointedintheirgreedyexpectations,andjoinedtheother.Well!Warwick"sbrothersoonbeattheLancastrians,andthefalsenoblemen,beingtaken,werebeheadedwithoutamoment"slossoftime.ThedeposedKinghadanarrowescape;threeofhisservantsweretaken,andoneofthemborehiscapofestate,whichwassetwithpearlsandembroideredwithtwogoldencrowns.However,theheadtowhichthecapbelonged,gotsafelyintoLancashire,andlayprettyquietlythere(thepeopleinthesecretbeingverytrue)formorethanayear.

Atlength,anoldmonkgavesuchintelligenceasledtoHenry"sbeingtakenwhilehewassittingatdinnerinaplacecalledWaddingtonHall.HewasimmediatelysenttoLondon,andmetatIslingtonbytheEarlofWarwick,bywhosedirectionshewasputuponahorse,withhislegstiedunderit,andparadedthreetimesroundthepillory.Then,hewascarriedofftotheTower,wheretheytreatedhimwellenough.

TheWhiteRosebeingsotriumphant,theyoungKingabandonedhimselfentirelytopleasure,andledajoviallife.But,thornswerespringingupunderhisbedofroses,ashesoonfoundout.

For,havingbeenprivatelymarriedtoELIZABETHWOODVILLE,ayoungwidowlady,verybeautifulandverycaptivating;andatlastresolvingtomakehissecretknown,andtodeclareherhisQueen;

hegavesomeoffencetotheEarlofWarwick,whowasusuallycalledtheKing-Maker,becauseofhispowerandinfluence,andbecauseofhishavinglentsuchgreathelptoplacingEdwardonthethrone.

ThisoffencewasnotlessenedbythejealousywithwhichtheNevilfamily(theEarlofWarwick"s)regardedthepromotionoftheWoodvillefamily.For,theyoungQueenwassobentonprovidingforherrelations,thatshemadeherfatheranearlandagreatofficerofstate;marriedherfivesisterstoyoungnoblemenofthehighestrank;andprovidedforheryoungerbrother,ayoungmanoftwenty,bymarryinghimtoanimmenselyricholdduchessofeighty.

TheEarlofWarwicktookallthisprettygraciouslyforamanofhisproudtemper,untilthequestionarosetowhomtheKing"ssister,MARGARET,shouldbemarried.TheEarlofWarwicksaid,"TooneoftheFrenchKing"ssons,"andwasallowedtogoovertotheFrenchKingtomakefriendlyproposalsforthatpurpose,andtoholdallmanneroffriendlyinterviewswithhim.But,whilehewassoengaged,theWoodvillepartymarriedtheyoungladytotheDukeofBurgundy!Uponthishecamebackingreatrageandscorn,andshuthimselfupdiscontented,inhisCastleofMiddleham.

Areconciliation,thoughnotaverysincereone,waspatchedupbetweentheEarlofWarwickandtheKing,andlasteduntiltheEarlmarriedhisdaughter,againsttheKing"swishes,totheDukeofClarence.WhilethemarriagewasbeingcelebratedatCalais,thepeopleinthenorthofEngland,wheretheinfluenceoftheNevilfamilywasstrongest,brokeoutintorebellion;theircomplaintwas,thatEnglandwasoppressedandplunderedbytheWoodvillefamily,whomtheydemandedtohaveremovedfrompower.Astheywerejoinedbygreatnumbersofpeople,andastheyopenlydeclaredthattheyweresupportedbytheEarlofWarwick,theKingdidnotknowwhattodo.Atlast,ashewrotetotheearlbeseechinghisaid,heandhisnewson-in-lawcameovertoEngland,andbegantoarrangethebusinessbyshuttingtheKingupinMiddlehamCastleinthesafekeepingoftheArchbishopofYork;soEnglandwasnotonlyinthestrangepositionofhavingtwokingsatonce,buttheywerebothprisonersatthesametime.

Evenasyet,however,theKing-MakerwassofartruetotheKing,thathedispersedanewrisingoftheLancastrians,tooktheirleaderprisoner,andbroughthimtotheKing,whoorderedhimtobeimmediatelyexecuted.HepresentlyallowedtheKingtoreturntoLondon,andthereinnumerablepledgesofforgivenessandfriendshipwereexchangedbetweenthem,andbetweentheNevilsandtheWoodvilles;theKing"seldestdaughterwaspromisedinmarriagetotheheiroftheNevilfamily;andmorefriendlyoathsweresworn,andmorefriendlypromisesmade,thanthisbookwouldhold.

Theylastedaboutthreemonths.Attheendofthattime,theArchbishopofYorkmadeafeastfortheKing,theEarlofWarwick,andtheDukeofClarence,athishouse,theMoor,inHertfordshire.

TheKingwaswashinghishandsbeforesupper,whensomeonewhisperedhimthatabodyofahundredmenwerelyinginambushoutsidethehouse.Whetherthisweretrueoruntrue,theKingtookfright,mountedhishorse,androdethroughthedarknighttoWindsorCastle.AnotherreconciliationwaspatchedupbetweenhimandtheKing-Maker,butitwasashortone,anditwasthelast.A

newrisingtookplaceinLincolnshire,andtheKingmarchedtorepressit.Havingdoneso,heproclaimedthatboththeEarlofWarwickandtheDukeofClarenceweretraitors,whohadsecretlyassistedit,andwhohadbeenpreparedpubliclytojoinitonthefollowingday.InthesedangerouscircumstancestheybothtookshipandsailedawaytotheFrenchcourt.

AndhereameetingtookplacebetweentheEarlofWarwickandhisoldenemy,theDowagerQueenMargaret,throughwhomhisfatherhadhadhisheadstruckoff,andtowhomhehadbeenabitterfoe.

But,now,whenhesaidthathehaddonewiththeungratefulandperfidiousEdwardofYork,andthathenceforthhedevotedhimselftotherestorationoftheHouseofLancaster,eitherinthepersonofherhusbandorofherlittleson,sheembracedhimasifhehadeverbeenherdearestfriend.Shedidmorethanthat;shemarriedhersontohisseconddaughter,theLadyAnne.Howeveragreeablethismarriagewastothenewfriends,itwasverydisagreeabletotheDukeofClarence,whoperceivedthathisfather-in-law,theKing-Maker,wouldnevermakeHIMKing,now.So,beingbutaweak-

mindedyoungtraitor,possessedofverylittleworthorsense,hereadilylistenedtoanartfulcourtladysentoverforthepurpose,andpromisedtoturntraitoroncemore,andgoovertohisbrother,KingEdward,whenafittingopportunityshouldcome.

TheEarlofWarwick,knowingnothingofthis,soonredeemedhispromisetotheDowagerQueenMargaret,byinvadingEnglandandlandingatPlymouth,whereheinstantlyproclaimedKingHenry,andsummonedallEnglishmenbetweentheagesofsixteenandsixty,tojoinhisbanner.Then,withhisarmyincreasingashemarchedalong,hewentnorthward,andcamesonearKingEdward,whowasinthatpartofthecountry,thatEdwardhadtoridehardforittothecoastofNorfolk,andthencetogetawayinsuchshipsashecouldfind,toHolland.Thereupon,thetriumphantKing-Makerandhisfalseson-in-law,theDukeofClarence,wenttoLondon,tooktheoldKingoutoftheTower,andwalkedhiminagreatprocessiontoSaintPaul"sCathedralwiththecrownuponhishead.ThisdidnotimprovethetemperoftheDukeofClarence,whosawhimselffartherofffrombeingKingthanever;buthekepthissecret,andsaidnothing.TheNevilfamilywererestoredtoalltheirhonoursandglories,andtheWoodvillesandtherestweredisgraced.TheKing-Maker,lesssanguinarythantheKing,shednobloodexceptthatoftheEarlofWorcester,whohadbeensocrueltothepeopleastohavegainedthetitleoftheButcher.Himtheycaughthiddeninatree,andhimtheytriedandexecuted.NootherdeathstainedtheKing-Maker"striumph.

Todisputethistriumph,backcameKingEdwardagain,nextyear,landingatRavenspur,comingontoYork,causingallhismentocry"LongliveKingHenry!"andswearingonthealtar,withoutablush,thathecametolaynoclaimtothecrown.NowwasthetimefortheDukeofClarence,whoorderedhismentoassumetheWhiteRose,anddeclareforhisbrother.TheMarquisofMontague,thoughtheEarlofWarwick"sbrother,alsodecliningtofightagainstKingEdward,hewentonsuccessfullytoLondon,wheretheArchbishopofYorklethimintotheCity,andwherethepeoplemadegreatdemonstrationsinhisfavour.Forthistheyhadfourreasons.

Firstly,thereweregreatnumbersoftheKing"sadherentshidingintheCityandreadytobreakout;secondly,theKingowedthemagreatdealofmoney,whichtheycouldneverhopetogetifhewereunsuccessful;thirdly,therewasayoungprincetoinheritthecrown;andfourthly,theKingwasgayandhandsome,andmorepopularthanabettermanmighthavebeenwiththeCityladies.

Afterastayofonlytwodayswiththeseworthysupporters,theKingmarchedouttoBarnetCommon,togivetheEarlofWarwickbattle.Andnowitwastobeseen,forthelasttime,whethertheKingortheKing-Makerwastocarrytheday.

Whilethebattlewasyetpending,thefaintheartedDukeofClarencebegantorepent,andsentoversecretmessagestohisfather-in-

law,offeringhisservicesinmediationwiththeKing.But,theEarlofWarwickdisdainfullyrejectedthem,andrepliedthatClarencewasfalseandperjured,andthathewouldsettlethequarrelbythesword.Thebattlebeganatfouro"clockinthemorningandlasteduntilten,andduringthegreaterpartofthetimeitwasfoughtinathickmist-absurdlysupposedtoberaisedbyamagician.Thelossoflifewasverygreat,forthehatredwasstrongonbothsides.TheKing-Makerwasdefeated,andtheKingtriumphed.BoththeEarlofWarwickandhisbrotherwereslain,andtheirbodieslayinSt.Paul"s,forsomedays,asaspectacletothepeople.

Margaret"sspiritwasnotbrokenevenbythisgreatblow.Withinfivedaysshewasinarmsagain,andraisedherstandardinBath,whenceshesetoffwithherarmy,totryandjoinLordPembroke,whohadaforceinWales.But,theKing,comingupwithheroutsidethetownofTewkesbury,andorderinghisbrother,theDUKE

OFGLOUCESTER,whowasabravesoldier,toattackhermen,shesustainedanentiredefeat,andwastakenprisoner,togetherwithherson,nowonlyeighteenyearsofage.TheconductoftheKingtothispooryouthwasworthyofhiscruelcharacter.Heorderedhimtobeledintohistent."Andwhat,"saidhe,"broughtYOUtoEngland?""IcametoEngland,"repliedtheprisoner,withaspiritwhichamanofspiritmighthaveadmiredinacaptive,"torecovermyfather"skingdom,whichdescendedtohimashisright,andfromhimdescendstome,asmine."TheKing,drawingoffhisirongauntlet,struckhimwithitintheface;andtheDukeofClarenceandsomeotherlords,whowerethere,drewtheirnobleswords,andkilledhim.

Hismothersurvivedhim,aprisoner,forfiveyears;afterherransombytheKingofFrance,shesurvivedforsixyearsmore.

Withinthreeweeksofthismurder,HenrydiedoneofthoseconvenientsuddendeathswhichweresocommonintheTower;inplainerwords,hewasmurderedbytheKing"sorder.

HavingnoparticularexcitementonhishandsafterthisgreatdefeatoftheLancasterparty,andbeingperhapsdesiroustogetridofsomeofhisfat(forhewasnowgettingtoocorpulenttobehandsome),theKingthoughtofmakingwaronFrance.AshewantedmoremoneyforthispurposethantheParliamentcouldgivehim,thoughtheywereusuallyreadyenoughforwar,heinventedanewwayofraisingit,bysendingfortheprincipalcitizensofLondon,andtellingthem,withagraveface,thathewasverymuchinwantofcash,andwouldtakeitverykindinthemiftheywouldlendhimsome.Itbeingimpossibleforthemsafelytorefuse,theycomplied,andthemoneysthusforcedfromthemwerecalled-nodoubttothegreatamusementoftheKingandtheCourt-asiftheywerefreegifts,"Benevolences."WhatwithgrantsfromParliament,andwhatwithBenevolences,theKingraisedanarmyandpassedovertoCalais.Asnobodywantedwar,however,theFrenchKingmadeproposalsofpeace,whichwereaccepted,andatrucewasconcludedforsevenlongyears.TheproceedingsbetweentheKingsofFranceandEnglandonthisoccasion,wereveryfriendly,verysplendid,andverydistrustful.TheyfinishedwithameetingbetweenthetwoKings,onatemporarybridgeovertheriverSomme,wheretheyembracedthroughtwoholesinastrongwoodengratinglikealion"scage,andmadeseveralbowsandfinespeechestooneanother.

Itwastime,now,thattheDukeofClarenceshouldbepunishedforhistreacheries;andFatehadhispunishmentinstore.Hewas,probably,nottrustedbytheKing-forwhocouldtrusthimwhoknewhim!-andhehadcertainlyapowerfulopponentinhisbrotherRichard,DukeofGloucester,who,beingavariciousandambitious,wantedtomarrythatwidoweddaughteroftheEarlofWarwick"swhohadbeenespousedtothedeceasedyoungPrince,atCalais.

Clarence,whowantedallthefamilywealthforhimself,secretedthislady,whomRichardfounddisguisedasaservantintheCityofLondon,andwhomhemarried;arbitratorsappointedbytheKing,thendividedthepropertybetweenthebrothers.Thisledtoill-

willandmistrustbetweenthem.Clarence"swifedying,andhewishingtomakeanothermarriage,whichwasobnoxioustotheKing,hisruinwashurriedbythatmeans,too.Atfirst,theCourtstruckathisretainersanddependents,andaccusedsomeofthemofmagicandwitchcraft,andsimilarnonsense.Successfulagainstthissmallgame,itthenmountedtotheDukehimself,whowasimpeachedbyhisbrothertheKing,inperson,onavarietyofsuchcharges.Hewasfoundguilty,andsentencedtobepubliclyexecuted.Heneverwaspubliclyexecuted,buthemethisdeathsomehow,intheTower,and,nodoubt,throughsomeagencyoftheKingorhisbrotherGloucester,orboth.Itwassupposedatthetimethathewastoldtochoosethemannerofhisdeath,andthathechosetobedrownedinabuttofMalmseywine.Ihopethestorymaybetrue,foritwouldhavebeenabecomingdeathforsuchamiserablecreature.

TheKingsurvivedhimsomefiveyears.Hediedintheforty-secondyearofhislife,andthetwenty-thirdofhisreign.Hehadaverygoodcapacityandsomegoodpoints,buthewasselfish,careless,sensual,andcruel.Hewasafavouritewiththepeopleforhisshowymanners;andthepeoplewereagoodexampletohimintheconstancyoftheirattachment.Hewaspenitentonhisdeath-bedforhis"benevolences,"andotherextortions,andorderedrestitutiontobemadetothepeoplewhohadsufferedfromthem.

HealsocalledabouthisbedtheenrichedmembersoftheWoodvillefamily,andtheproudlordswhosehonourswereofolderdate,andendeavouredtoreconcilethem,forthesakeofthepeacefulsuccessionofhissonandthetranquillityofEngland.

CHAPTERXXIV-ENGLANDUNDEREDWARDTHEFIFTH

THElateKing"seldestson,thePrinceofWales,calledEDWARD

afterhim,wasonlythirteenyearsofageathisfather"sdeath.

HewasatLudlowCastlewithhisuncle,theEarlofRivers.Theprince"sbrother,theDukeofYork,onlyelevenyearsofage,wasinLondonwithhismother.Theboldest,mostcrafty,andmostdreadednoblemaninEnglandatthattimewastheiruncleRICHARD,DukeofGloucester,andeverybodywonderedhowthetwopoorboyswouldfarewithsuchanuncleforafriendorafoe.

TheQueen,theirmother,beingexceedinglyuneasyaboutthis,wasanxiousthatinstructionsshouldbesenttoLordRiverstoraiseanarmytoescorttheyoungKingsafelytoLondon.But,LordHastings,whowasoftheCourtpartyopposedtotheWoodvilles,andwhodislikedthethoughtofgivingthemthatpower,arguedagainsttheproposal,andobligedtheQueentobesatisfiedwithanescortoftwothousandhorse.TheDukeofGloucesterdidnothing,atfirst,tojustifysuspicion.HecamefromScotland(wherehewascommandinganarmy)toYork,andwastherethefirsttoswearallegiancetohisnephew.HethenwroteacondolinglettertotheQueen-Mother,andsetofftobepresentatthecoronationinLondon.

Now,theyoungKing,journeyingtowardsLondontoo,withLordRiversandLordGray,cametoStonyStratford,ashisunclecametoNorthampton,abouttenmilesdistant;andwhenthosetwolordsheardthattheDukeofGloucesterwassonear,theyproposedtotheyoungKingthattheyshouldgobackandgreethiminhisname.Theboybeingverywillingthattheyshoulddoso,theyrodeoffandwerereceivedwithgreatfriendliness,andaskedbytheDukeofGloucestertostayanddinewithhim.Intheevening,whiletheyweremerrytogether,upcametheDukeofBuckinghamwiththreehundredhorsemen;andnextmorningthetwolordsandthetwodukes,andthethreehundredhorsemen,rodeawaytogethertorejointheKing.JustastheywereenteringStonyStratford,theDukeofGloucester,checkinghishorse,turnedsuddenlyonthetwolords,chargedthemwithalienatingfromhimtheaffectionsofhissweetnephew,andcausedthemtobearrestedbythethreehundredhorsemenandtakenback.Then,heandtheDukeofBuckinghamwentstraighttotheKing(whomtheyhadnowintheirpower),towhomtheymadeashowofkneelingdown,andofferinggreatloveandsubmission;andthentheyorderedhisattendantstodisperse,andtookhim,alonewiththem,toNorthampton.

AfewdaysafterwardstheyconductedhimtoLondon,andlodgedhimintheBishop"sPalace.But,hedidnotremaintherelong;for,theDukeofBuckinghamwithatenderfacemadeaspeechexpressinghowanxioushewasfortheRoyalboy"ssafety,andhowmuchsaferhewouldbeintheToweruntilhiscoronation,thanhecouldbeanywhereelse.So,totheTowerhewastaken,verycarefully,andtheDukeofGloucesterwasnamedProtectoroftheState.

AlthoughGloucesterhadproceededthusfarwithaverysmoothcountenance-andalthoughhewasacleverman,fairofspeech,andnotill-looking,inspiteofoneofhisshouldersbeingsomethinghigherthantheother-andalthoughhehadcomeintotheCityridingbare-headedattheKing"sside,andlookingveryfondofhim-hehadmadetheKing"smothermoreuneasyyet;andwhentheRoyalboywastakentotheTower,shebecamesoalarmedthatshetooksanctuaryinWestminsterwithherfivedaughters.

Nordidshedothiswithoutreason,for,theDukeofGloucester,findingthatthelordswhowereopposedtotheWoodvillefamilywerefaithfultotheyoungKingnevertheless,quicklyresolvedtostrikeablowforhimself.Accordingly,whilethoselordsmetincouncilattheTower,heandthosewhowereinhisinterestmetinseparatecouncilathisownresidence,CrosbyPalace,inBishopsgateStreet.Beingatlastquiteprepared,heonedayappearedunexpectedlyatthecouncilintheTower,andappearedtobeveryjocularandmerry.HewasparticularlygaywiththeBishopofEly:praisingthestrawberriesthatgrewinhisgardenonHolbornHill,andaskinghimtohavesomegatheredthathemighteatthematdinner.TheBishop,quiteproudofthehonour,sentoneofhismentofetchsome;andtheDuke,stillveryjocularandgay,wentout;andthecouncilallsaidwhataveryagreeabledukehewas!Inalittletime,however,hecamebackquitealtered-

notatalljocular-frowningandfierce-andsuddenlysaid,-

"Whatdothosepersonsdeservewhohavecompassedmydestruction;I

beingtheKing"slawful,aswellasnatural,protector?"

Tothisstrangequestion,LordHastingsreplied,thattheydeserveddeath,whosoevertheywere.

"Then,"saidtheDuke,"Itellyouthattheyarethatsorceressmybrother"swife;"meaningtheQueen:"andthatothersorceress,JaneShore.Who,bywitchcraft,havewitheredmybody,andcausedmyarmtoshrinkasInowshowyou."

Hethenpulleduphissleeveandshowedthemhisarm,whichwasshrunken,itistrue,butwhichhadbeenso,astheyallverywellknew,fromthehourofhisbirth.

JaneShore,beingthentheloverofLordHastings,asshehadformerlybeenofthelateKing,thatlordknewthathehimselfwasattacked.So,hesaid,insomeconfusion,"Certainly,myLord,iftheyhavedonethis,theybeworthyofpunishment."

"If?"saidtheDukeofGloucester;"doyoutalktomeofifs?I

tellyouthattheyHAVEsodone,andIwillmakeitgooduponthybody,thoutraitor!"

Withthat,hestruckthetableagreatblowwithhisfist.Thiswasasignaltosomeofhispeopleoutsidetocry"Treason!"Theyimmediatelydidso,andtherewasarushintothechamberofsomanyarmedmenthatitwasfilledinamoment.

"First,"saidtheDukeofGloucestertoLordHastings,"Iarrestthee,traitor!Andlethim,"headdedtothearmedmenwhotookhim,"haveapriestatonce,forbySt.PaulIwillnotdineuntilIhaveseenhisheadof!"

LordHastingswashurriedtothegreenbytheTowerchapel,andtherebeheadedonalogofwoodthathappenedtobelyingontheground.Then,theDukedinedwithagoodappetite,andafterdinnersummoningtheprincipalcitizenstoattendhim,toldthemthatLordHastingsandtheresthaddesignedtomurderbothhimselfandtheDukeifBuckingham,whostoodbyhisside,ifhehadnotprovidentiallydiscoveredtheirdesign.Herequestedthemtobesoobligingastoinformtheirfellow-citizensofthetruthofwhathesaid,andissuedaproclamation(preparedandneatlycopiedoutbeforehand)tothesameeffect.

OnthesamedaythattheDukedidthesethingsintheTower,SirRichardRatcliffe,theboldestandmostundauntedofhismen,wentdowntoPontefract;arrestedLordRivers,LordGray,andtwoothergentlemen;andpubliclyexecutedthemonthescaffold,withoutanytrial,forhavingintendedtheDuke"sdeath.ThreedaysafterwardstheDuke,nottolosetime,wentdowntherivertoWestminsterinhisbarge,attendedbydiversbishops,lords,andsoldiers,anddemandedthattheQueenshoulddeliverhersecondson,theDukeofYork,intohissafekeeping.TheQueen,beingobligedtocomply,resignedthechildaftershehadweptoverhim;andRichardofGloucesterplacedhimwithhisbrotherintheTower.Then,heseizedJaneShore,and,becauseshehadbeentheloverofthelateKing,confiscatedherproperty,andgothersentencedtodopublicpenanceinthestreetsbywalkinginascantydress,withbarefeet,andcarryingalightedcandle,toSt.Paul"sCathedral,throughthemostcrowdedpartoftheCity.

Havingnowallthingsreadyforhisownadvancement,hecausedafriartopreachasermonatthecrosswhichstoodinfrontofSt.

Paul"sCathedral,inwhichhedweltupontheprofligatemannersofthelateKing,anduponthelateshameofJaneShore,andhintedthattheprinceswerenothischildren."Whereas,goodpeople,"

saidthefriar,whosenamewasSHAW,"myLordtheProtector,thenobleDukeofGloucester,thatsweetprince,thepatternofallthenoblestvirtues,istheperfectimageandexpresslikenessofhisfather."TherehadbeenalittleplotbetweentheDukeandthefriar,thattheDukeshouldappearinthecrowdatthismoment,whenitwasexpectedthatthepeoplewouldcry"LongliveKingRichard!"But,eitherthroughthefriarsayingthewordstoosoon,orthroughtheDuke"scomingtoolate,theDukeandthewordsdidnotcometogether,andthepeopleonlylaughed,andthefriarsneakedoffashamed.

TheDukeofBuckinghamwasabetterhandatsuchbusinessthanthefriar,sohewenttotheGuildhallthenextday,andaddressedthecitizensintheLordProtector"sbehalf.Afewdirtymen,whohadbeenhiredandstationedthereforthepurpose,cryingwhenhehaddone,"GodsaveKingRichard!"hemadethemagreatbow,andthankedthemwithallhisheart.Nextday,tomakeanendofit,hewentwiththemayorandsomelordsandcitizenstoBayardCastle,bytheriver,whereRichardthenwas,andreadanaddress,humblyentreatinghimtoaccepttheCrownofEngland.Richard,wholookeddownuponthemoutofawindowandpretendedtobeingreatuneasinessandalarm,assuredthemtherewasnothinghedesiredless,andthathisdeepaffectionforhisnephewsforbadehimtothinkofit.TothistheDukeofBuckinghamreplied,withpretendedwarmth,thatthefreepeopleofEnglandwouldneversubmittohisnephew"srule,andthatifRichard,whowasthelawfulheir,refusedtheCrown,whythentheymustfindsomeoneelsetowearit.TheDukeofGloucesterreturned,thatsinceheusedthatstronglanguage,itbecamehispainfuldutytothinknomoreofhimself,andtoaccepttheCrown.

Uponthat,thepeoplecheeredanddispersed;andtheDukeofGloucesterandtheDukeofBuckinghampassedapleasantevening,talkingovertheplaytheyhadjustactedwithsomuchsuccess,andeverywordofwhichtheyhadpreparedtogether.

CHAPTERXXV-ENGLANDUNDERRICHARDTHETHIRD

KINGRICHARDTHETHIRDwasupbetimesinthemorning,andwenttoWestminsterHall.IntheHallwasamarbleseat,uponwhichhesathimselfdownbetweentwogreatnoblemen,andtoldthepeoplethathebeganthenewreigninthatplace,becausethefirstdutyofasovereignwastoadministerthelawsequallytoall,andtomaintainjustice.HethenmountedhishorseandrodebacktotheCity,wherehewasreceivedbytheclergyandthecrowdasifhereallyhadarighttothethrone,andreallywereajustman.Theclergyandthecrowdmusthavebeenratherashamedofthemselvesinsecret,Ithink,forbeingsuchpoor-spiritedknaves.

ThenewKingandhisQueenweresooncrownedwithagreatdealofshowandnoise,whichthepeoplelikedverymuch;andthentheKingsetforthonaroyalprogressthroughhisdominions.HewascrownedasecondtimeatYork,inorderthatthepeoplemighthaveshowandnoiseenough;andwhereverhewentwasreceivedwithshoutsofrejoicing-fromagoodmanypeopleofstronglungs,whowerepaidtostraintheirthroatsincrying,"GodsaveKingRichard!"TheplanwassosuccessfulthatIamtoldithasbeenimitatedsince,byotherusurpers,inotherprogressesthroughotherdominions.

Whilehewasonthisjourney,KingRichardstayedaweekatWarwick.AndfromWarwickhesentinstructionshomeforoneofthewickedestmurdersthateverwasdone-themurderofthetwoyoungprinces,hisnephews,whowereshutupintheTowerofLondon.

SirRobertBrackenburywasatthattimeGovernoroftheTower.Tohim,bythehandsofamessengernamedJOHNGREEN,didKingRichardsendaletter,orderinghimbysomemeanstoputthetwoyoungprincestodeath.ButSirRobert-Ihopebecausehehadchildrenofhisown,andlovedthem-sentJohnGreenbackagain,ridingandspurringalongthedustyroads,withtheanswerthathecouldnotdosohorribleapieceofwork.TheKing,havingfrowninglyconsideredalittle,calledtohimSIRJAMESTYRREL,hismasterofthehorse,andtohimgaveauthoritytotakecommandoftheTower,wheneverhewould,fortwenty-fourhours,andtokeepallthekeysoftheTowerduringthatspaceoftime.Tyrrel,wellknowingwhatwaswanted,lookedabouthimfortwohardenedruffians,andchoseJOHNDIGHTON,oneofhisowngrooms,andMILESFOREST,whowasamurdererbytrade.Havingsecuredthesetwoassistants,hewent,uponadayinAugust,totheTower,showedhisauthorityfromtheKing,tookthecommandforfour-and-twentyhours,andobtainedpossessionofthekeys.Andwhentheblacknightcamehewentcreeping,creeping,likeaguiltyvillainashewas,upthedark,stonewindingstairs,andalongthedarkstonepassages,untilhecametothedooroftheroomwherethetwoyoungprinces,havingsaidtheirprayers,layfastasleep,claspedineachother"sarms.

Andwhilehewatchedandlistenedatthedoor,hesentinthoseevildemons,JohnDightonandMilesForest,whosmotheredthetwoprinceswiththebedandpillows,andcarriedtheirbodiesdownthestairs,andburiedthemunderagreatheapofstonesatthestaircasefoot.Andwhenthedaycame,hegaveupthecommandoftheTower,andrestoredthekeys,andhurriedawaywithoutoncelookingbehindhim;andSirRobertBrackenburywentwithfearandsadnesstotheprinces"room,andfoundtheprincesgoneforever.

Youknow,throughallthishistory,howtrueitisthattraitorsarenevertrue,andyouwillnotbesurprisedtolearnthattheDukeofBuckinghamsoonturnedagainstKingRichard,andjoinedagreatconspiracythatwasformedtodethronehim,andtoplacethecrownuponitsrightfulowner"shead.Richardhadmeanttokeepthemurdersecret;butwhenheheardthroughhisspiesthatthisconspiracyexisted,andthatmanylordsandgentlemendrankinsecrettothehealthsofthetwoyoungprincesintheTower,hemadeitknownthattheyweredead.Theconspirators,thoughthwartedforamoment,soonresolvedtosetupforthecrownagainstthemurderousRichard,HENRYEarlofRichmond,grandsonofCatherine:thatwidowofHenrytheFifthwhomarriedOwenTudor.

AndasHenrywasofthehouseofLancaster,theyproposedthatheshouldmarrythePrincessElizabeth,theeldestdaughterofthelateKing,nowtheheiressofthehouseofYork,andthusbyunitingtherivalfamiliesputanendtothefatalwarsoftheRedandWhiteRoses.Allbeingsettled,atimewasappointedforHenrytocomeoverfromBrittany,andforagreatrisingagainstRichardtotakeplaceinseveralpartsofEnglandatthesamehour.Onacertainday,therefore,inOctober,therevolttookplace;butunsuccessfully.Richardwasprepared,Henrywasdrivenbackatseabyastorm,hisfollowersinEnglandweredispersed,andtheDukeofBuckinghamwastaken,andatoncebeheadedinthemarket-placeatSalisbury.

Thetimeofhissuccesswasagoodtime,Richardthought,forsummoningaParliamentandgettingsomemoney.So,aParliamentwascalled,anditflatteredandfawneduponhimasmuchashecouldpossiblydesire,anddeclaredhimtobetherightfulKingofEngland,andhisonlysonEdward,thenelevenyearsofage,thenextheirtothethrone.

Richardknewfullwellthat,lettheParliamentsaywhatitwould,thePrincessElizabethwasrememberedbypeopleastheheiressofthehouseofYork;andhavingaccurateinformationbesides,ofitsbeingdesignedbytheconspiratorstomarryhertoHenryofRichmond,hefeltthatitwouldmuchstrengthenhimandweakenthem,tobebeforehandwiththem,andmarryhertohisson.WiththisviewhewenttotheSanctuaryatWestminster,wherethelateKing"swidowandherdaughterstillwere,andbesoughtthemtocometoCourt:where(hesworebyanythingandeverything)theyshouldbesafelyandhonourablyentertained.Theycame,accordingly,buthadscarcelybeenatCourtamonthwhenhissondiedsuddenly-orwaspoisoned-andhisplanwascrushedtopieces.

Inthisextremity,KingRichard,alwaysactive,thought,"Imustmakeanotherplan."AndhemadetheplanofmarryingthePrincessElizabethhimself,althoughshewashisniece.Therewasonedifficultyintheway:hiswife,theQueenAnne,wasalive.But,heknew(rememberinghisnephews)howtoremovethatobstacle,andhemadelovetothePrincessElizabeth,tellingherhefeltperfectlyconfidentthattheQueenwoulddieinFebruary.ThePrincesswasnotaveryscrupulousyounglady,for,insteadofrejectingthemurdererofherbrotherswithscornandhatred,sheopenlydeclaredshelovedhimdearly;and,whenFebruarycameandtheQueendidnotdie,sheexpressedherimpatientopinionthatshewastoolongaboutit.However,KingRichardwasnotsofaroutinhisprediction,but,thatshediedinMarch-hetookgoodcareofthat-andthenthispreciouspairhopedtobemarried.Buttheyweredisappointed,fortheideaofsuchamarriagewassounpopularinthecountry,thattheKing"schiefcounsellors,RATCLIFFEandCATESBY,wouldbynomeansundertaketoproposeit,andtheKingwasevenobligedtodeclareinpublicthathehadneverthoughtofsuchathing.

Hewas,bythistime,dreadedandhatedbyallclassesofhissubjects.HisnoblesdesertedeverydaytoHenry"sside;hedarednotcallanotherParliament,lesthiscrimesshouldbedenouncedthere;andforwantofmoney,hewasobligedtogetBenevolencesfromthecitizens,whichexasperatedthemallagainsthim.Itwassaidtoo,that,beingstrickenbyhisconscience,hedreamedfrightfuldreams,andstartedupinthenight-time,wildwithterrorandremorse.Activetothelast,throughallthis,heissuedvigorousproclamationsagainstHenryofRichmondandallhisfollowers,whenheheardthattheywerecomingagainsthimwithaFleetfromFrance;andtookthefieldasfierceandsavageasawildboar-theanimalrepresentedonhisshield.

HenryofRichmondlandedwithsixthousandmenatMilfordHaven,andcameonagainstKingRichard,thenencampedatLeicesterwithanarmytwiceasgreat,throughNorthWales.OnBosworthFieldthetwoarmiesmet;andRichard,lookingalongHenry"sranks,andseeingthemcrowdedwiththeEnglishnobleswhohadabandonedhim,turnedpalewhenhebeheldthepowerfulLordStanleyandhisson(whomhehadtriedhardtoretain)amongthem.But,hewasasbraveashewaswicked,andplungedintothethickestofthefight.

Hewasridinghitherandthither,layingabouthiminalldirections,whenheobservedtheEarlofNorthumberland-oneofhisfewgreatallies-tostandinactive,andthemainbodyofhistroopstohesitate.Atthesamemoment,hisdesperateglancecaughtHenryofRichmondamongalittlegroupofhisknights.

Ridinghardathim,andcrying"Treason!"hekilledhisstandard-

bearer,fiercelyunhorsedanothergentleman,andaimedapowerfulstrokeatHenryhimself,tocuthimdown.But,SirWilliamStanleyparrieditasitfell,andbeforeRichardcouldraisehisarmagain,hewasbornedowninapressofnumbers,unhorsed,andkilled.LordStanleypickedupthecrown,allbruisedandtrampled,andstainedwithblood,andputituponRichmond"shead,amidloudandrejoicingcriesof"LongliveKingHenry!"

Thatnight,ahorsewasleduptothechurchoftheGreyFriarsatLeicester;acrosswhosebackwastied,likesomeworthlesssack,anakedbodybroughtthereforburial.ItwasthebodyofthelastofthePlantagenetline,KingRichardtheThird,usurperandmurderer,slainatthebattleofBosworthFieldinthethirty-

secondyearofhisage,afterareignoftwoyears.

CHAPTERXXVI-ENGLANDUNDERHENRYTHESEVENTH

KINGHENRYTHESEVENTHdidnotturnouttobeasfineafellowasthenobilityandpeoplehoped,inthefirstjoyoftheirdeliverancefromRichardtheThird.Hewasverycold,crafty,andcalculating,andwoulddoalmostanythingformoney.Hepossessedconsiderableability,buthischiefmeritappearstohavebeenthathewasnotcruelwhentherewasnothingtobegotbyit.

ThenewKinghadpromisedthenobleswhohadespousedhiscausethathewouldmarrythePrincessElizabeth.Thefirstthinghedid,was,todirecthertoberemovedfromthecastleofSheriffHuttoninYorkshire,whereRichardhadplacedher,andrestoredtothecareofhermotherinLondon.TheyoungEarlofWarwick,EdwardPlantagenet,sonandheirofthelateDukeofClarence,hadbeenkeptaprisonerinthesameoldYorkshireCastlewithher.

Thisboy,whowasnowfifteen,thenewKingplacedintheTowerforsafety.ThenhecametoLondoningreatstate,andgratifiedthepeoplewithafineprocession;onwhichkindofshowheoftenverymuchreliedforkeepingthemingoodhumour.Thesportsandfeastswhichtookplacewerefollowedbyaterriblefever,calledtheSweatingSickness;ofwhichgreatnumbersofpeopledied.LordMayorsandAldermenarethoughttohavesufferedmostfromit;

whether,becausetheywereinthehabitofover-eatingthemselves,orbecausetheywereveryjealousofpreservingfilthandnuisancesintheCity(astheyhavebeensince),Idon"tknow.

TheKing"scoronationwaspostponedonaccountofthegeneralill-

health,andheafterwardsdeferredhismarriage,asifhewerenotveryanxiousthatitshouldtakeplace:and,evenafterthat,deferredtheQueen"scoronationsolongthathegaveoffencetotheYorkparty.However,hesetthesethingsrightintheend,byhangingsomemenandseizingontherichpossessionsofothers;bygrantingmorepopularpardonstothefollowersofthelateKingthancould,atfirst,begotfromhim;and,byemployingabouthisCourt,someveryscrupulouspersonswhohadbeenemployedinthepreviousreign.

Asthisreignwasprincipallyremarkablefortwoverycuriousimpostureswhichhavebecomefamousinhistory,wewillmakethosetwostoriesitsprincipalfeature.

TherewasapriestatOxfordofthenameofSimons,whohadforapupilahandsomeboynamedLambertSimnel,thesonofabaker.

Partlytogratifyhisownambitiousends,andpartlytocarryoutthedesignsofasecretpartyformedagainsttheKing,thispriestdeclaredthathispupil,theboy,wasnootherthantheyoungEarlofWarwick;who(aseverybodymighthaveknown)wassafelylockedupintheTowerofLondon.ThepriestandtheboywentovertoIreland;and,atDublin,enlistedintheircauseallranksofthepeople:whoseemtohavebeengenerousenough,butexceedinglyirrational.TheEarlofKildare,thegovernorofIreland,declaredthathebelievedtheboytobewhatthepriestrepresented;andtheboy,whohadbeenwelltutoredbythepriest,toldthemsuchthingsofhischildhood,andgavethemsomanydescriptionsoftheRoyalFamily,thattheywereperpetuallyshoutingandhurrahing,anddrinkinghishealth,andmakingallkindsofnoisyandthirstydemonstrations,toexpresstheirbeliefinhim.NorwasthisfeelingconfinedtoIrelandalone,fortheEarlofLincoln-whomthelateusurperhadnamedashissuccessor-wentovertotheyoungPretender;and,afterholdingasecretcorrespondencewiththeDowagerDuchessofBurgundy-thesisterofEdwardtheFourth,whodetestedthepresentKingandallhisrace-sailedtoDublinwithtwothousandGermansoldiersofherproviding.Inthispromisingstateoftheboy"sfortunes,hewascrownedthere,withacrowntakenofftheheadofastatueoftheVirginMary;andwasthen,accordingtotheIrishcustomofthosedays,carriedhomeontheshouldersofabigchieftainpossessingagreatdealmorestrengththansense.FatherSimons,youmaybesure,wasmightybusyatthecoronation.

Tendaysafterwards,theGermans,andtheIrish,andthepriest,andtheboy,andtheEarlofLincoln,alllandedinLancashiretoinvadeEngland.TheKing,whohadgoodintelligenceoftheirmovements,setuphisstandardatNottingham,wherevastnumbersresortedtohimeveryday;whiletheEarlofLincolncouldgainbutveryfew.WithhissmallforcehetriedtomakeforthetownofNewark;buttheKing"sarmygettingbetweenhimandthatplace,hehadnochoicebuttoriskabattleatStoke.ItsoonendedinthecompletedestructionofthePretender"sforces,onehalfofwhomwerekilled;amongthem,theEarlhimself.Thepriestandthebaker"sboyweretakenprisoners.Thepriest,afterconfessingthetrick,wasshutupinprison,whereheafterwardsdied-suddenlyperhaps.TheboywastakenintotheKing"skitchenandmadeaturnspit.HewasafterwardsraisedtothestationofoneoftheKing"sfalconers;andsoendedthisstrangeimposition.

ThereseemsreasontosuspectthattheDowagerQueen-alwaysarestlessandbusywoman-hadhadsomeshareintutoringthebaker"sson.TheKingwasveryangrywithher,whetherorno.Heseizeduponherproperty,andshutherupinaconventatBermondsey.

OnemightsupposethattheendofthisstorywouldhaveputtheIrishpeopleontheirguard;buttheywerequitereadytoreceiveasecondimpostor,astheyhadreceivedthefirst,andthatsametroublesomeDuchessofBurgundysoongavethemtheopportunity.

AllofasuddenthereappearedatCork,inavesselarrivingfromPortugal,ayoungmanofexcellentabilities,ofveryhandsomeappearanceandmostwinningmanners,whodeclaredhimselftobeRichard,DukeofYork,thesecondsonofKingEdwardtheFourth.

"O,"saidsome,evenofthosereadyIrishbelievers,"butsurelythatyoungPrincewasmurderedbyhisuncleintheTower!"-"ItIS

supposedso,"saidtheengagingyoungman;"andmybrotherWAS

killedinthatgloomyprison;butIescaped-itdon"tmatterhow,atpresent-andhavebeenwanderingabouttheworldforsevenlongyears."ThisexplanationbeingquitesatisfactorytonumbersoftheIrishpeople,theybeganagaintoshoutandtohurrah,andtodrinkhishealth,andtomakethenoisyandthirstydemonstrationsalloveragain.AndthebigchieftaininDublinbegantolookoutforanothercoronation,andanotheryoungKingtobecarriedhomeonhisback.

Now,KingHenrybeingthenonbadtermswithFrance,theFrenchKing,CharlestheEighth,sawthat,bypretendingtobelieveinthehandsomeyoungman,hecouldtroublehisenemysorely.So,heinvitedhimovertotheFrenchCourt,andappointedhimabody-

guard,andtreatedhiminallrespectsasifhereallyweretheDukeofYork.Peace,however,beingsoonconcludedbetweenthetwoKings,thepretendedDukewasturnedadrift,andwanderedforprotectiontotheDuchessofBurgundy.She,afterfeigningtoinquireintotherealityofhisclaims,declaredhimtobetheverypictureofherdeardepartedbrother;gavehimabody-guardatherCourt,ofthirtyhalberdiers;andcalledhimbythesoundingnameoftheWhiteRoseofEngland.

TheleadingmembersoftheWhiteRosepartyinEnglandsentoveranagent,namedSirRobertClifford,toascertainwhethertheWhiteRose"sclaimsweregood:theKingalsosentoverhisagentstoinquireintotheRose"shistory.TheWhiteRosesdeclaredtheyoungmantobereallytheDukeofYork;theKingdeclaredhimtobePERKINWARBECK,thesonofamerchantofthecityofTournay,whohadacquiredhisknowledgeofEngland,itslanguageandmanners,fromtheEnglishmerchantswhotradedinFlanders;itwasalsostatedbytheRoyalagentsthathehadbeenintheserviceofLadyBrompton,thewifeofanexiledEnglishnobleman,andthattheDuchessofBurgundyhadcausedhimtobetrainedandtaught,expresslyforthisdeception.TheKingthenrequiredtheArchdukePhilip-whowasthesovereignofBurgundy-tobanishthisnewPretender,ortodeliverhimup;but,astheArchdukerepliedthathecouldnotcontroltheDuchessinherownland,theKing,inrevenge,tookthemarketofEnglishclothawayfromAntwerp,andpreventedallcommercialintercoursebetweenthetwocountries.

Healso,byartsandbribes,prevailedonSirRobertCliffordtobetrayhisemployers;andhedenouncingseveralfamousEnglishnoblemenasbeingsecretlythefriendsofPerkinWarbeck,theKinghadthreeoftheforemostexecutedatonce.Whetherhepardonedtheremainderbecausetheywerepoor,Idonotknow;butitisonlytooprobablethatherefusedtopardononefamousnoblemanagainstwhomthesameCliffordsoonafterwardsinformedseparately,becausehewasrich.ThiswasnootherthanSirWilliamStanley,whohadsavedtheKing"slifeatthebattleofBosworthField.Itisverydoubtfulwhetherhistreasonamountedtomuchmorethanhishavingsaid,thatifheweresuretheyoungmanwastheDukeofYork,hewouldnottakearmsagainsthim.Whateverhehaddoneheadmitted,likeanhonourablespirit;andhelosthisheadforit,andthecovetousKinggainedallhiswealth.

PerkinWarbeckkeptquietforthreeyears;but,astheFlemingsbegantocomplainheavilyofthelossoftheirtradebythestoppageoftheAntwerpmarketonhisaccount,andasitwasnotunlikelythattheymightevengosofarastotakehislife,orgivehimup,hefounditnecessarytodosomething.Accordinglyhemadeadesperatesally,andlanded,withonlyafewhundredmen,onthecoastofDeal.Buthewassoongladtogetbacktotheplacefromwhencehecame;forthecountrypeopleroseagainsthisfollowers,killedagreatmany,andtookahundredandfiftyprisoners:whowerealldriventoLondon,tiedtogetherwithropes,likeateamofcattle.Everyoneofthemwashangedonsomepartorotherofthesea-shore;inorder,thatifanymoremenshouldcomeoverwithPerkinWarbeck,theymightseethebodiesasawarningbeforetheylanded.

ThenthewaryKing,bymakingatreatyofcommercewiththeFlemings,drovePerkinWarbeckoutofthatcountry;and,bycompletelygainingovertheIrishtohisside,deprivedhimofthatasylumtoo.HewanderedawaytoScotland,andtoldhisstoryatthatCourt.KingJamestheFourthofScotland,whowasnofriendtoKingHenry,andhadnoreasontobe(forKingHenryhadbribedhisScotchlordstobetrayhimmorethanonce;buthadneversucceededinhisplots),gavehimagreatreception,calledhimhiscousin,andgavehiminmarriagetheLadyCatherineGordon,abeautifulandcharmingcreaturerelatedtotheroyalhouseofStuart.

AlarmedbythissuccessfulreappearanceofthePretender,theKingstillundermined,andbought,andbribed,andkepthisdoingsandPerkinWarbeck"sstoryinthedark,whenhemight,onewouldimagine,haverenderedthemattercleartoallEngland.But,forallthisbribingoftheScotchlordsattheScotchKing"sCourt,hecouldnotprocurethePretendertobedelivereduptohim.James,thoughnotveryparticularinmanyrespects,wouldnotbetrayhim;

andtheever-busyDuchessofBurgundysoprovidedhimwitharms,andgoodsoldiers,andwithmoneybesides,thathehadsoonalittlearmyoffifteenhundredmenofvariousnations.Withthese,andaidedbytheScottishKinginperson,hecrossedtheborderintoEngland,andmadeaproclamationtothepeople,inwhichhecalledtheKing"HenryTudor;"offeredlargerewardstoanywhoshouldtakeordistresshim;andannouncedhimselfasKingRichardtheFourthcometoreceivethehomageofhisfaithfulsubjects.

Hisfaithfulsubjects,however,carednothingforhim,andhatedhisfaithfultroops:who,beingofdifferentnations,quarrelledalsoamongthemselves.Worsethanthis,ifworsewerepossible,theybegantoplunderthecountry;uponwhichtheWhiteRosesaid,thathewouldratherlosehisrights,thangainthemthroughthemiseriesoftheEnglishpeople.TheScottishKingmadeajestofhisscruples;buttheyandtheirwholeforcewentbackagainwithoutfightingabattle.

Theworstconsequenceofthisattemptwas,thatarisingtookplaceamongthepeopleofCornwall,whoconsideredthemselvestooheavilytaxedtomeetthechargesoftheexpectedwar.StimulatedbyFlammock,alawyer,andJoseph,ablacksmith,andjoinedbyLordAudleyandsomeothercountrygentlemen,theymarchedonallthewaytoDeptfordBridge,wheretheyfoughtabattlewiththeKing"sarmy.Theyweredefeated-thoughtheCornishmenfoughtwithgreatbravery-andthelordwasbeheaded,andthelawyerandtheblacksmithwerehanged,drawn,andquartered.Therestwerepardoned.TheKing,whobelievedeverymantobeasavariciousashimself,andthoughtthatmoneycouldsettleanything,allowedthemtomakebargainsfortheirlibertywiththesoldierswhohadtakenthem.

PerkinWarbeck,doomedtowanderupanddown,andnevertofindrestanywhere-asadfate:almostasufficientpunishmentforanimposture,whichheseemsintimetohavehalfbelievedhimself-

losthisScottishrefugethroughatrucebeingmadebetweenthetwoKings;andfoundhimself,oncemore,withoutacountrybeforehiminwhichhecouldlayhishead.ButJames(alwayshonourableandtruetohim,alikewhenhemelteddownhisplate,andeventhegreatgoldchainhehadbeenusedtowear,topaysoldiersinhiscause;andnow,whenthatcausewaslostandhopeless)didnotconcludethetreaty,untilhehadsafelydepartedoutoftheScottishdominions.He,andhisbeautifulwife,whowasfaithfultohimunderallreverses,andleftherstateandhometofollowhispoorfortunes,wereputaboardshipwitheverythingnecessaryfortheircomfortandprotection,andsailedforIreland.

But,theIrishpeoplehadhadenoughofcounterfeitEarlsofWarwickandDukesofYork,foronewhile;andwouldgivetheWhiteRosenoaid.So,theWhiteRose-encircledbythornsindeed-

resolvedtogowithhisbeautifulwifetoCornwallasaforlornresource,andseewhatmightbemadeoftheCornishmen,whohadrisensovaliantlyalittlewhilebefore,andwhohadfoughtsobravelyatDeptfordBridge.

ToWhitsandBay,inCornwall,accordingly,camePerkinWarbeckandhiswife;andthelovelyladyheshutupforsafetyintheCastleofSt.Michael"sMount,andthenmarchedintoDevonshireattheheadofthreethousandCornishmen.ThesewereincreasedtosixthousandbythetimeofhisarrivalinExeter;but,therethepeoplemadeastoutresistance,andhewentontoTaunton,wherehecameinsightoftheKing"sarmy.ThestoutCornishmen,althoughtheywerefewinnumber,andbadlyarmed,weresobold,thattheyneverthoughtofretreating;butbravelylookedforwardtoabattleonthemorrow.Unhappilyforthem,themanwhowaspossessedofsomanyengagingqualities,andwhoattractedsomanypeopletohissidewhenhehadnothingelsewithwhichtotemptthem,wasnotasbraveasthey.Inthenight,whenthetwoarmieslayoppositetoeachother,hemountedaswifthorseandfled.Whenmorningdawned,thepoorconfidingCornishmen,discoveringthattheyhadnoleader,surrenderedtotheKing"spower.Someofthemwerehanged,andtherestwerepardonedandwentmiserablyhome.

BeforetheKingpursuedPerkinWarbecktothesanctuaryofBeaulieuintheNewForest,whereitwassoonknownthathehadtakenrefuge,hesentabodyofhorsementoSt.Michael"sMount,toseizehiswife.ShewassoontakenandbroughtasacaptivebeforetheKing.Butshewassobeautiful,andsogood,andsodevotedtothemaninwhomshebelieved,thattheKingregardedherwithcompassion,treatedherwithgreatrespect,andplacedheratCourt,neartheQueen"sperson.AndmanyyearsafterPerkinWarbeckwasnomore,andwhenhisstrangestoryhadbecomelikeanurserytale,SHEwascalledtheWhiteRose,bythepeople,inremembranceofherbeauty.

ThesanctuaryatBeaulieuwassoonsurroundedbytheKing"smen;

andtheKing,pursuinghisusualdark,artfulways,sentpretendedfriendstoPerkinWarbecktopersuadehimtocomeoutandsurrenderhimself.Thishesoondid;theKinghavingtakenagoodlookatthemanofwhomhehadheardsomuch-frombehindascreen-

directedhimtobewellmounted,andtoridebehindhimatalittledistance,guarded,butnotboundinanyway.SotheyenteredLondonwiththeKing"sfavouriteshow-aprocession;andsomeofthepeoplehootedasthePretenderrodeslowlythroughthestreetstotheTower;butthegreaterpartwerequiet,andverycurioustoseehim.FromtheTower,hewastakentothePalaceatWestminster,andtherelodgedlikeagentleman,thoughcloselywatched.Hewasexaminedeverynowandthenastohisimposture;