Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 26.djvu/72

 of his sojourn still survive at Bolton West (, Hist. of Craven, p. 129, ed. 1878). At last he was recognised by a monk of Abingdon, named Cantlow, ‘while sitting at dinner at Waddington Hall,’ in Ribblesdale, just opposite Clitheroe (, Chronicle, p. 5, as corrected by J. G. Nichols in Notes and Queries, 1st ser. ii. 181, 228, 316). Henry escaped for the moment, but was captured hard by ‘in Clitheroe Wood, beside Brungerly Hippingstones, by Thomas Talbot of Bashall and his cousin John.’ Sir James Harington instigated the capture, and conducted Henry to London (Fœdera, xi. 548). Henry's only companions when he was taken were a monk, a doctor, and a servant (, p. 785).

Friends and foes differ very much in their accounts of Henry's treatment in captivity. According to the Lancastrians Warwick met him at Islington, and led him thence in procession through Cheap and Cornhill to the Tower, with his legs bound under the horse by leathern thongs, and a straw hat on his head, the mob hooting at him and insulting him (ib. p. 785;, p. 5; ; , Danziger Chronik, quoted in , v. 370). The Yorkist writers say Henry was treated ‘with all humanity and reverence’ (Cont. Croyland Chron. p. 539). Reasonable sums were certainly set apart for his maintenance (, Issues of the Exchequer, cx–cxv, Record Commission). William Kimberley, a chaplain who gratuitously performed the daily offices before Henry, was afterwards largely rewarded by Edward IV (ib. p. 490). Henry was also allowed to receive visitors. He professed indifference for the loss of his earthly kingdom, provided that he was allowed the regular enjoyment of the sacraments of the church. It was reported that while occupied in his religious exercises he saw visions and prophesied. Though sinking more and more into physical and mental decrepitude, he was still able to justify his policy and reign. ‘My father was king of England,’ he replied to one who reproached him for usurpation, ‘and peacefully possessed the crown for the whole of his life. His father, my grandfather, was king before him. And I, a boy, crowned almost in my cradle, was accepted as king by the whole realm, and wore the crown for nearly forty years, every lord swearing homage and fealty to me, as they had done to my forefathers’ (, pp. 303–5). But Lancastrians believed that he suffered hunger, thirst, insults, blows during the five dreary years that followed. He was dirty, sickly, ill-dressed, and neglected. Stories were told of serious wounds inflicted on him by brutal keepers, met only by the meek response, ‘Forsooth and forsooth, ye do foully to smite a king anointed thus’ (ib. p. 302). But as long as Prince Edward lived it was Edward IV's obvious interest to keep Henry alive.

After more than five years of imprisonment an unexpected revolution restored Henry to the throne. Warwick, Clarence, and Margaret formed a league against Edward IV, who fled on 3 Oct. 1470 to Flanders. On 5 Oct. old Bishop Waynflete and Archbishop Neville, Warwick's brother, went down to the Tower. They found Henry ‘not so worshipfully arrayed nor so cleanly kept as should seem such a prince.’ He was released, newly arrayed, treated with great reverence, and conducted to Westminster (, p. 11). He was ‘a shadow,’ ‘like a sack of wool,’ ‘as mute as a crowned calf’ (, v. 490, ed. Kervyn).

Henry's restoration was officially dated from 9 Oct. 1470. On 21 Oct. he wore his crown in public (Cont. Croyland Chron. p. 554). On 26 Nov. he presided over a parliament at Westminster. Just before Christmas he sent a message to his scholars at Eton, who now lived in great poverty, having only escaped suppression through the personal influence of Waynflete (, Hist. of Eton College, pp. 58–66). He was more of a puppet than ever, and Warwick was constituted lieutenant of the kingdom. But in March 1471 Edward IV landed at Ravenspur. At first he recognised Henry, but declared himself king at Nottingham, and in Easter week was outside London.

Henry was residing at the Bishop of London's palace by St. Paul's. On Wednesday 10 April Archbishop Neville made a last effort to kindle up enthusiasm for him. He was led through the chief streets of London on horseback. But so little spirit was shown in his favour that Neville thought it best to make terms with Edward. On Thursday at dinner-time the recorder and leading citizens let in King Edward, who went straight to the bishop's palace, where the archbishop ‘presented him to Henry’ (Arrival of Edward IV, p. 17, Camd. Soc.). ‘Cousin, you are welcome,’ Henry said to Edward. ‘My life will be safe in your hands’ (, Charles the Bold, ii. 86). Good Friday was spent in London, but on Easter eve Edward marched out against Warwick to Barnet, taking Henry with him. On Easter day the battle of Barnet was fought and Warwick slain. Henry, who had been put in the thick of the fight, escaped without a wound, and was taken to the Tower.

Margaret now landed in the west, but on