Page:History of Jack of Newbury.pdf/3

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n the reign of King Henry VIII. one John Winchcomb was a rich clothier in the town of Newbury in Berkshire; a handsome and clever youth; when his master died, and left his mistress a widow, who seeing John to be a careful servant, put him in great trust in her house, which he carefully performed.

His mistress soon had many suitors, but could not fancy any; for her man John had stolen her heart.

The parson of Speenham-land was one of her amorous suitors, and often solicitied her to be his wife, but could not obtain her love, because he was a clergyman too much devoted to his study.