Page:Life and transactions of Jane Shore, concubine to King Edward IVth.pdf/11

11 with her wit, would so abate his anger, that she saved the lives of very many, both poor and rich. And though she could in a manner; do all with him, yet it was never known she used her influence to the prejudice of any. Aud both in London, and the progresses the made in the country, she would cause poor people to be sought for, and relieve their necessities, inducing and persuading others, who expected any good offices from the King by her means, to do the same, never selling, her favours; and by her ready wit, she so bat- fled the court ladies, who envied her aspiring, that they found themselves unable to reparice. And though the King had another mistress before her, namely Lady Bessy, yet he preferred our heroine much above her, and would often merrily say, I have two mistresses, of quite different tempers, one the most religions and the other the merriest, in England: and indeed she was had in great favour all the reign of the King, having crowds of petitioners waiting at her chamber door, or at the chariot side, when she was to ride abroad, whose suits, to the utmost of her power, she preferred. As for Mrs. Blague, who least deserved, of her, she procured of the King a stately house and manor, worth 280l. a year. The Romish priests much spited her, because she sheltered many from their rage and fury, after they had burned John Huss for an heretic.

As no worldly pomp nor greatness is of long continuance, so now her glory was, ended, and her days of inexpressible misery began; for, the King dying at Westminster, in the fortieth year of his reign, no sooner was he buried in the chapel of