Page:Life and transactions of Mrs Jane Shore (2).pdf/16

 with the King. This added more to their grief; they knew not what course to take; and they knew if they went to cross the King it would be their ruin.

They made inquiry, indeed, if it was her voluntary act, and finding it was, and she quite unwilling to leave her new lover, they lost all hope of recovering her, so that Mr Shore growing melancholy, sold off all he had, and went abroad; but having spent his fortune, he returned in a poor condition, and practised clipping and filing gold coin to maintain himself; for which he suffered death in the latter end of King Henry VIII.'s reign.

Jane Shore having rendered up her chastity to the King, pleased with the glittering of a court, and endeared by a monarch's love, was admired by the vulgar, towards whom she behaved in a most courteous manner.

Her power was so great with the King. that when his courtiers durst not intercede for the poor and miserable