Page:Life and transactions of Mrs. Jane Shore (2).pdf/10

 10 would so abate his anger, that she saved the lives o 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. And both in London, and the progresses she 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 bafiled the court ladies, who envied her aspiring, that they found themselves unable to repartee. And though the King had another mis- tress before her, namely Lady Bessy, yet he preferred our heroine much above her, and would often say, I have two mistresses, of quite different tempers, one the most religious, 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 Blagne, who least deserved of her, she procured of the King a stately house and manor, worth £280 a year. The Romish priests much spited her, because she sheltered navy from their rage and fury, after they had burned John Huss for an heretic. As no worldly pomp nor greatness is of long continu- ance, so now her glory was ended, and her days of in- expressible misery began ; for, the King dying at West- minster, in the fortieth year of his reign, no sooner was he buried in the chapel of his own founding, at Windsor, but Crook-backed Richard, his brother, who murdered Henry VI. and Prince Henry his son, aspiring to the throne, though Edward had left two sons behind him, viz. Edward and Richard, and several daughters, all lawfully begotten with the Queen, he quarrelled with Lord Hastings, (who, after the death of the King, had taken Jone Shore for his concubine, now free) be- cause he would not assist him in his wicked project, of