Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/553

Rh administration was in the hands of the queen and the earl of Suffolk, who had contracted universal odium at the time of the duke of York's aspiring to the crown. Margaret was considered as a French woman, and a latent enemy to the kingdom, who had betrayed the interests of England, in favour of her family and country. Suffolk was considered as her accomplice; and the downfal of the Duke of Gloucester, who was universally beloved, in which they were both known to have been concerned, rendered them yet more obnoxious.

The partizans of the Duke of York, taking advantage of this, impeached the earl of Suffolk of various crimes; and the king, in order to save his minister, banished him the kingdom for five years. But his enemies, sensible that he enjoyed the queen's confidence, and would be recalled the first opportunity, got him intercepted and murdered on his passage.

The duke of Somerset succeeded to Suffolk's power in the administration, and credit with the queen; but he having been unfortunate in the French war, was equally the object of dislike, and the queen and council, unable to protect him, were obliged to give him up: he was also sent to the tower; and, as Henry had fallen into a distemper which increased his natural imbecility, the duke of York was created Protector during pleasure.

But Henry recovering, was advised by his friends to reverse all this; in consequence, the duke of York levied an army, fought a battle near St. Albans, and took the king prisoner; but treated him with lenity, and was again appointed protector. But this did not last long. The civil war broke out, with various success, till it was thus accommodated, at last, by the parliament; that Henry, who was now again a prisoner, should retain the dignity of king, during life, and that the