1469 That yong Prince Edward marryes Warwicks Daughter. Belike the elder; Clarence will haue the younger.— 120 In the next scene Clarence joins Warwick, who welcomes him and adds (1. 12): "my Daughter shall be thine." On July 11, 1469,1 the [Hol. iii. 671/2/70. Halle, 272.] duke of Clarence, being come Anno Reg. 9. to Calis with the earle of Warwike, after he had sworne on the sacrament to keepe his promise and pact made with the said earle whole and inuiolate, he married the ladie Isabell, eldest daughter [p. 672] to the earle, in our ladies church there. [Clarence married to Warwick's elder daughter.] The challenge-"You that loue me and Warwick, follow me "-is succeeded by this stage direction : "Exit Clarence, and Somerset followes." As Clarence's ally has evidently been a subject of Edward, we may suppose that "Somerset" is Henry Beaufort, the third Duke, who, about Christmas, 1462, abandoned the Lancastrian party and was taken into Edward's favour.2 Henry Beaufort soon rejoined the Lancastrians, and was beheaded by the Yorkists on May 15, 1464, after the battle of Hexham. But the historical peer who is called "Somerset" in 3 Hen. VI., Act V., was Henry's brother Edmund, the fourth Duke, who was always a staunch Lancastrian. He and his brother, however, make one dramatic "Somerset " (see p. 335 below). Holinshed (iii. 666/1/45) or Halle (259) might have supplied the fact that in 1463-seven years before Clarence's rebellion-Henry Beaufort "reuolted from King Edward, and fled to King Henrie." 3 When Clarence and Somerset have departed, Edward gives an order to resist Warwick's invasion (11. 130-133): Pembrooke and Stafford, you in our behalfe 132 At the historical date on which we may suppose this order to have been given, there was no open hostility between Edward and Warwick. Warwick, however, had secretly fomented a rebellion, which broke out soon after Clarence's marriage to his daughter (July 11, 1469). Whereupon 4 This date is given in Collection of Ordinances and Regulations for the Government of the Royal Household (Society of Antiquaries), 98. 2 Wyrc., 495. Greg., 219. 3 In these chronicles Somerset's return to the Lancastrians appears to be antedated by some six months. He deserted Edward 'a-boute Crystysmas,' 1463 (Greg., 223); and was beheaded on May 15, 1464 (Greg., 224, 225). Warkw., 6. Pembroke was defeated at Edgcote, on July 26, 1469.—Ibid. [Hol. iii. 672/1/60. Halle, 273.] King Edward, hauing perfect knowledge of all the dooings of the earle of Warwike, and of his brother the duke of Clarence, was by diuerse letters certified of the great armie of the northerne men, with all speed comming toward London; and therefore in great hast he sent to William lord Herbert, whom (as yee haue heard)1 he had created earle of Penbroke; requiring him without delaie to raise his power, and incounter with the northerne men. . . . And, to assist him with archers, was appointed Humfrie lord Stafford 2 of Southwike, named but not created earle of Deuonshire by the king; in hope that he would serue valiantlie in that iournie: he had with him eight hundred archers. Edward lingers until Montague and Hastings have assured him of their loyalty. The former exclaims (1. 143): So God helpe Mountague as hee proues true! Such a fervid protestation must have misrepresented his real feeling; though he was not induced by his brother [Hol. iii. 670/2/30. Halle, 270, 271.] to take anie part against king Edward of a long time, till the earle had both promised him great rewards and promotions, and also assured him of the aid and power of the greatest princes of the realme. And euen as the marques was loth to consent to his vnhappie conspiracie, so with a faint hart he shewed himselfe an enimie vnto king Edward; which double dissimulation was both the destruction of him and his brethren. When, in July, 1469, a commotion, arising from local discontent, began in Yorkshire, Montague caused the leader of the rebels to be beheaded. This procedure occasioned speculation: [Hol. iii. 672/1/38. Halle, 272.] Some saie he did it, to the 1 "in reproofe of Iasper [Tudor, Henry VI.'s half-brother,] earle of Penbrooke, he [Edward IV.] created William lord Herbert earle of the same place." -Hol. iii. 667/1/4. Halle, 261. Herbert was created Earl of Pembroke in 1468.-Dugdale, iii. 256/1-2; cp. Doyle, iii. 16. 2 In T. T. Edward's order is given to Pembroke alone, and Stafford is not mentioned. 3 Halle, 272. Halle was mistaken in supposing that this movement in Yorkshire sprang from the Nevilles' intrigues. John Neville (Montague) was then Earl of Northumberland, and the fact (recorded in Three Chronicles, B. L. C., 183) that one demand of the Yorkshire rebels was the restoration of this earldom to the Percies explains his action. Y The earl of Penbroke the rebels). The lord Stafford (ordered to ssist the Earl of Pembroke). [Two explanations of intent to seeme innocent and faultlesse of his brothers dooings. Montague's But other iudge that he did it, for that, contrarie to his promise conduct.] [Soldiers flocked to Warwick.] made to his brother, he was determined to take part with king Edward, with whome (as it shall after appeare) he in small space entered into grace and fauour.1 Act IV., scc. ii., iii.2" Enter Warwicke and Oxford in England, with French Souldiors" (sc. ii.). Warwick is confident of success (11. 1, 2): Trust me, my Lord, all hitherto goes well; The common people by numbers swarme to vs. Though the rest of sc. ii., and parts of sc. iii., dramatize an event which happened in the Summer of 1469, the historical date of Warwick's remark must be August or September, 1470; when, as the chronicler notes: [Hol. iii. 675/1/63. Halle, 282.] It is almost not to be beleeued, how manie thousands men of warre at the first tidings of the earles landing resorted vnto him. They are joined by Clarence and Somerset; the former of whom Warwick thus addresses (11. 13-17): And now what rests but, in Nights Couerture, Thy Brother being carelessely encamp'd, His Souldiors lurking in the Towne about, And but attended by a simple Guard, Wee may surprize and take him at our pleasure? In sc. iii. "Warwicke, Clarence, Oxford, Somerset, and French Souldiors," enter, "silent all"; put to flight the royal "Guard";composed of three "Watchmen ";-and seize Edward, who demurs at . 1 In the Spring of 1470, after Warwick's withdrawal to France (see p. 317 above), Edward "began seriously to immagine who were his frendes, and who were his foes,. many, trustyng to the kynges pardon, submitted and yelded theimself[s] to the Kynges clemencye. Emongest whome Ihon Marques Montacute humbly yelded hymself, and vowed to bee euer true to the kyng (as he had doen before tyme); whom he [Edward] with muche humanitie and faire wordes did receiue and intertain," .--Halle, 280. Hol. iii. 674/2/48. 2 The True Tragedie has one scene here, opening thus: "Enter Warwike and Oxford, with souldiers." The talk between three "Watchmen "-with which scene iii. opens in 3 Hen. VI.-is not in the earlier text, nor are they mentioned in it. The entry of Warwick and the others (sc. iii.), with "French Souldiers, silent all," is not in T. T. 3 On August 5 the landing of Clarence and Warwick was expected "evyrye daye."-Paston, ii. 406. August was the month in which, according to John Hooker (Hol. iii. 676/2/63), they landed. Other chroniclers give the following dates about September 8 (Three Chronicles, B. L. C., 183); September 13 (Stow, 701); "a lytelle before Michael messe" (Warkw., 10). being spoken of by Warwick as "the Duke." The King-maker answers When you disgrac'd me in my Embassade, After Warwick's landing, in 1470, [Hol. iii. 675/1/58. Halle, 282.] he made proclamation in the name of king Henrie1 the sixt, vpon high paines commanding and charging all men able to bear armor, to prepare themselues to fight against Edward duke of Yorke, which contrarie to right had vsurped the crowne. "But Henry now shall weare the English Crowne," says Warwick, taking-according to the stage direction in 3 Henry VI.-the crown off Edward's head. Warwick then provides for his late sovereign's detention (11. 51-53): My Lord of Somerset, at my request, See that forthwith Duke Edward be conuey'd Vnto my Brother, Arch-bishop of Yorke. The Earl has still to fight "with Pembrooke and his fellowes"; though, if historic chronology be worth regarding, the army of which Warwick speaks was not in the field when Edward was captured. On July 26, 1469, Pembroke was defeated by the Northern rebels at Edgcote.2 After this battle Edward [Warwick Henry VI men to fight proclaimed and charged Edward Duke of York.] [Hol. iii. 673/1/50. Halle, 275.] assembled his power, and was comming toward the earle, who, being aduertised thereof, sent to the duke of Clarence, requiring him to come and ioine with him. The duke, being not farre off, with all speed repaired to the earle, and so they ioined their powers togither, and vpon secret knowledge had, that the king (bicause they were entered into termes by waie of communication to haue a peace) tooke small heed to himselfe, nothing doubting anie outward attempt of his to himself.] enimies. The earle of Warwike, intending not to leese such opportunitie 1 "Applaud the Name of Henry with your Leader!" is the order addressed by Warwick to the soldiers, when they are setting forth to surprise Edward (3 Hen. VI., IV. ii. 27). In 3 Hen. VI. this line is followed by the stage direction: "They all cry 'Henry!"" In T. T. the soldiers, unbidden, shout, "A Warwike, a Warwike!" Halle says (283) that when Warwick landed, in 1470, "al the tounes and al the countrey adiacent [Lincolnshire] was in a great rore, and made fiers and sange songes; criyng, 'king Henry, kyng Henry a Warwycke, a Warwycke! 2 Warkw., 6. (The armies and Clarence of Warwick were near Edward, to small heed King Edward taken prisoner I, conveyed to] Middleham castell I, and kept there by the Archbishop of York]. K. Edwards freends take sanctuarie. Queene delivered of of aduantage, in the dead of the night, with an elect companie of men of warre, (as secretlie as was possible,) set on the kings field, killing them that kept the watch, and, yer the king was ware, (for he thought of nothing lesse than of that which then hapned,) at a place called Wolnie [? Honiley,' Warwickshire], foure miles from Warwike, he was taken prisoner and brought to the castell of Warwike. And, to the intent his friends should not know what was become of him, the earle caused him by secret iournies in the night to be conueied to Middleham castell in Yorkeshire; and there to be kept vnder the custodie of the archbishop of Yorke,2 and other his freends in those parties. Act IV. sc. iv.-Queen Elizabeth and Rivers enter. More than a historic year has elapsed since Edward's capture, but she has just had news of this mischance. Being with child she resolves to take sanctuary (1. 31). When, in the Autumn of 1470, Edward's flight from England was known, all his [Hol. iii. 677/2/5. Halle, 285.] trustie freends went to diuerse sanctuaries, and amongst other his wife queene Elizabeth tooke sanctuarie at Westminster, and there, in great penurie, forsaken of all hir friends, was deliuered of a faire son called Edward. Act IV. sc. v.-Gloucester discloses to Lord Hastings and Sir William Stanley a plan for rescuing Edward (11. 4-13): That, if about this houre he makes this way, He shall heere finde his Friends with Horse and Men, 12 In October, 1469, Edward recovered the liberty which he had lost soon after Edgcote field (July 26, 1469). His escape is thus narrated: [Hol. iii. 673/1/73. 3 Halle, 275.] King Edward, being thus in 1 Gent. Mag., 1839, íi. 616. 2 the archbishop of Yorke] Hol. the Archebishop of Yorke hys brother] Halle, 275. On September 29, 1469, Edward was at York, and virtually a prisoner.Warkw., 7; cp. Cont. Croyl., 552. On October 13, 1469, he was in London, and free.-Paston, ii. 389. (Mr. Gairdner informed me that the privy seal dates show Edward to have been in London as early as October 13.) |