Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/18

10 of the Lancastrians, and by a peerage (Barony of Hastings of Ashby de la Zouche), 1461. Hastings, moreover, acquired additional gifts of land through his wife; and by his ability, bravery, and fidelity to his sovereign, he became one of the foremost and most influential persons in the kingdom. As Master of the Mint he introduced a new gold coinage; as a trusted ambassador he took part in missions to France and Burgundy (sometimes for the development of British trade in Flanders); and as a military commander he was present at the decisive battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury. He was instrumental in bringing Clarence to the king's side just before the battle of Barnet, where Warwick was killed and his schemes annihilated, and he was present at the interview between the two brothers which led to so important a result. His end is well known, and has been pourtrayed by Shakespeare in 'King Richard III,' who took the story of his dramatic death from Sir Thomas More's account as described by Cardinal Morton, an eye-witness to the scene. Hastings was jealous of the queen and of her brother Rivers, but nothing could shake his loyalty to his master's son, Edward V; the Regent Gloucester, unable to bribe him, caused his murder in the Tower, 1483.

Hastings' son, Edward, increased the family honours by his marriage with Mary, sole heir of Thomas, Baron Hungerford; and his grandson George, a favourite of Henry VIII, was created Earl of Huntingdon, 1529. The latter was succeeded by Francis, who