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;
