sion of a truce with Scotland for fifteen years. King Henry was soon afterwards captured, and sent as a prisoner to London. In 1465 the Earl of Warwick and Lord Wenlock were sent to France, to treat with the agents of King Louis XI., respecting a peace; and in the same year he was joined in commission with the same Lord Wenlock, and others, to treat with Philip, Duke of Burgundy, concerning a mutual trade between the English merchants and those of that Duke; and was at the same time empowered to treat with the Duke of Brittany respecting a league of peace and amity. He was also joined as Commissioner with Lord Hastings, then Lord Chamberlain of the King's household, to treat and conclude, with James Luxenburgh, Lord of Richbourgh, the King's uncle, respecting a league of amity between Charles of Burgundy, Earl of Charolois, and King Edward. He was constituted one of the Commissioners to treat with those from the King of Scotland, upon several grievances brought forward on the part of the subjects of that realm, contrary to the truce made between both Kings. In 1467 he was employed, with Lord Hastings, to confer with Charles, Earl of Charolois, or his agents, respecting a marriage, which was afterwards concluded, between that Earl and Margaret, King Edward's sister; and also to treat of peace with the French King's Ambassadors. After the marriage of King Edward, the favours and honours lavished by him upon the relations of the Queen, the Widevilles or Wodevilles, rendered them odious to the nation, and added to the dissatisfaction in the mind of the Earl of Warwick; and there are some historical writers who state that that feeling was greatly influenced by Edward's having entertained dishonourable intentions with respect to a daughter of Warwick. The first effects of Warwick's discontent were not publicly known, nor until about 1469, when, being in Warwickshire, he sent for his two brothers, George Neville, Archbishop of York, and John Neville, Marquis of Montague, at which time he communicated to them his reasons for the restoration of King Henry, and soon won them to his views. Taking advantage of some feeling of discontent which George, Duke of Clarence, the King's brother, entertained, Warwick allured him to his side, and in order to fix him more strongly in his interests, gave him Isabel, his eldest daughter, in marriage, with half the lands of her mother's inheritance, and the marriage was solemnized in the Chapel of our Lady, at Calais. In 1469 an insurrection broke out in Yorkshire against Edward, which was soon followed by a battle fought at Edgecote, in Northamptonshire, but near Banbury, and from that circumstance called the battle of Banbury, where the royal forces were defeated. It is not certain that Warwick was implicated in this insurrection, although it is probable that he was privy to, or encouraged it. He shortly afterwards came over to England, with the Duke of Clarence, and Edward thought it necessary to keep fair with them, but seems to have formed schemes for depressing their power, and to draw off Warwick's brother, John Neville, Earl of Northumberland, afterwards Marquis of Montague, from their party, by dazzling him with the hopes of a marriage between his son, George, Duke of Bedford, and Edward's daughter, the Princess Elizabeth. About this period, however, according to several historians, the Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence succeeded in surprising King Edward in the night, and causing him to be conveyed to Middleham Castle, in Yorkshire, and left in the custody of the Earl's brother, the Archbishop of York; but Edward, having been allowed the diversion of hunting in the park, which the Archbishop permitted, made his escape. Historians are, however, far from agreeing whether such a circumstance ever occurred; and there are some writers of credit and research, who confidently dispute it. We have, however, a very high authority in Phillippe de Commines, a historical writer of great celebrity of that age, who was personally acquainted with Edward IV., and who mentions in the clearest terms, not only the capture and custody of Edward, but his subsequent escape:"En effect j'ay veu en ce temps ou peu avant, le Comte de Warwic si fort, qu'il mit le Roy, son maistre, entre ses mains," &c. &c. "et garda le Roy son maistre une espace de temps honnestement; et luy mit nouveaux serviteurs à l'entour, pour luy faire oublier les autres; et luy sembloit que son maistre estoit un peu simple. Le Duc de Bourgongne eut grand doute de ceste adventure, et pratiquoit secrettement que le Roy Edouard peust e'chaper, et qu'il eust moyen et façon de parler a' luy; et tant allerent les choses, que le dict Roy Edouard e'chapa, et assembla gens, et' detroussa quelques bandes de ceux du dict Comte de Warwic." Another very strong reason for our believing that it occurred, is to be found in the act of attainder passed against the Duke of Clarence, in which, amongst various other accusations against him, he is charged with having formerly put King Edward's person "in straite warde, puttying hym thereby from all his libertie;" which it seems very difficult, if not actually impossible, to apply to any other circumstance than his detention in custody. Another insurrection against Edward soon broke out in Lincolnshire, and Edward proceeded in person against the insurgents; and obtained a complete victory over them in (1) Phillippe de Commines. Book iii., chap. iv. battle, at Horn, five or six miles from Stamford, but in Rutlandshire, and near the borders of Lincolnshire. The battle is called by several names, as the battle of Stamford, Hornfield, and Losecoat Field. Warwick and Clarence had assembled forces, and appear to have intended to have joined the insurgents, but their too hasty proceedings prevented the design of the former, Warwick and Clarence then proceeded into Lancashire, in hopes of being joined by Thomas, Lord Stanley, who had married Warwick's sister, but were disappointed by Stanley's refusal; and not being able to effect anything against Edward, as they had hoped, in Yorkshire, they found it requisite to provide for themselves in all haste, proceeded to Devonshire, obtained ships, and embarked at Dartmouth. They sailed towards Calais, of which town Warwick was Captain; but Vauclerc, a Gascon gentleman, whom he had constituted his Lieutenant there, opposed his entrance, and the cannon of Calais fired upon him, although he privately gave reasons to Warwick, to excuse his conduct. The Duchess of Clarence was delivered of a son, afterwards the unfortunate Edward, Earl of Warwick, and it was with difficulty that they got permission for the infant to be christened at the church in the town, and obtained two flaggons of wine for the refreshment of the ladies, who were sick on board. Warwick then landed in Normandy, and receiving much countenance from the French King, applied himself to Queen Margaret (wife of King Henry VI.), who had fled thither for safety; and Warwick, the better to unite his and the Lancastrian interest together, matched his daughter Anne to Edward, Prince of Wales, son of Henry VI. and of Queen Margaret, taking a solemn oath to restore King Henry; by which course he obtained no small assistance from the Queen's friends. There were many reasons for surmising that a league so formed, between Margaret, Warwick, and Clarence, contained too many manifest elements of discord to last. long. Clarence, by supporting Margaret, and taking measures for the restoration of Henry, and the ultimate succession to the crown of the Prince of Wales, was uniting himself to the greatest enemies of his family, was acting contrary to his own interests, and was virtually excluding himself and his children from the chance of succeeding to the throne. King Edward was too sagacious not to try to open the door to a reconciliation with Clarence; and as negotiating by means of a female, could be effected with less suspicion, than would have been excited if a man had been sent over to Clarence, a trustworthy and talented lady was sent to France, ostensibly to the Duchess of Clarence, but with secret instructions to induce Clarence to desert the party of Warwick, and to rejoin that of Edward; and she so cleverly executed the commission, that notwithstanding Clarence was the son-in-law of Warwick, in consequence of having married Isabel his daughter, Clarence promised that at a convenient opportunity he would desert Warwick and join Edward. Warwick was completely ignorant of what was arranged, and fully relied upon the co-operation of Clarence. Warwick and Clarence landed shortly afterwards in the West of England, and proclaimed King Henry. Warwick's power and popularity were so great, and such numbers. came in to him, that he had soon a large army under his command; and King Edward was forced to fly and go abroad, and try and obtain some aid from Charles, Duke of Burgundy, who had married his sister. Warwick entered London in October, 1470, delivered King Henry out of the tower, and set him again upon the throne. After Henry's restoration, Warwick virtually ruled the kingdom in Henry's name, and was made Lord High Admiral of England. |