首页 >出版文学> A Childs History of England>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,andlayprettyquietlytherethepeopleinthesecretbeingverytrueformorethanayear.
  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.
  ThisoffencewasnotlessenedbythejealousywithwhichtheNevilfamilytheEarlofWarwick'sregardedthepromotionoftheWoodvillefamily.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,andbeingperhapsdesiroustogetridofsomeofhisfatforhewasnowgettingtoocorpulenttobehandsome,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.HecamefromScotlandwherehewascommandinganarmytoYork,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,heandtheDukeofBuckinghamwentstraighttotheKingwhomtheyhadnowintheirpower,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,andissuedaproclamationpreparedandneatlycopiedoutbeforehandtothesameeffect.
  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:wherehesworebyanythingandeverythingtheyshouldbesafelyandhonourablyentertained.Theycame,accordingly,buthadscarcelybeenatCourtamonthwhenhissondiedsuddenly-orwaspoisoned-andhisplanwascrushedtopieces.
  Inthisextremity,KingRichard,alwaysactive,thought,'Imustmakeanotherplan.'AndhemadetheplanofmarryingthePrincessElizabethhimself,althoughshewashisniece.Therewasonedifficultyintheway:hiswife,theQueenAnne,wasalive.But,heknewrememberinghisnephewshowtoremovethatobstacle,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,turnedpalewhenhebeheldthepowerfulLordStanleyandhissonwhomhehadtriedhardtoretainamongthem.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,orbecausetheywereveryjealousofpreservingfilthandnuisancesintheCityastheyhavebeensince,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;whoaseverybodymighthaveknownwassafelylockedupintheTowerofLondon.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,andhadnoreasontobeforKingHenryhadbribedhisScotchlordstobetrayhimmorethanonce;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.ButJamesalwayshonourableandtruetohim,alikewhenhemelteddownhisplate,andeventhegreatgoldchainhehadbeenusedtowear,topaysoldiersinhiscause;andnow,whenthatcausewaslostandhopelessdidnotconcludethetreaty,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;