There were certain answers provided by the council to these petitions of the Bohemians, which were not delivered to them, but kept back, for what purpose and intent we know not. Wherefore because we thought them not greatly necessary for this place, and also to avoid prolixity, we have judged it meet to omit them. Thus have ye heard compendiously the chief and principal matters treated of and done in this famous council of Basil.

Concerning the authority of this general council of Basil, what is to be thought of it, may be learned by all good men by the acts and fruits of it. Neither was it doubted by any man in the beginning, so long as the pope agreed and consented to it. But after the pope began to draw back, many others followed, especially of the richer sort of prelates, who had anything to lose. In the number of those inconstant prelates was Cardinal Julian, the first collector of this council, and vicargeneral of the pope, as by his fervent and vehement letter, written to Pope Eugenius in defence of this council appears. In it he most earnestly expostulates with Pope Eugenius, for seeking to dissolve the council, and declares many causes, why he should rather rejoice, and give God thanks for the godly proceedings and joyful agreement between the council and the Bohemians, and so exhorts him with many persuasions to resort to the council himself, and not to seek its dissolution.

In like manner Æneas Sylvius also, with his own hand-writing, not only gave testimony to the authority of this council, but also bestowed his labour and pains in setting forth the whole history of it. Notwithstanding Sylvius afterward being made pope, with his new honour, altered and changed his old opinion. His epistle, touching the commendation of the council, because it is but short, I thought here, for satisfying the reader's mind, to insert :

An Epistle of Eneas Sylvius to the Rector of the University of Cologne.

"To a christian man, which will be a true christian indeed, nothing ought to be more desired, than that the sincerity and pureness of faith, given to us of Christ by our forefathers, be kept of all men immaculate. And if at any time anything be wrought or attempted against the true doctrine of the gospel, the people ought with one consent to provide lawful remedy, and every man to bring with him some water to quench the general fire; neither must we fear how we be hated or envied, so we bring the truth. We must resist every man to his face, whether he be Paul or Peter, if he walk not directly to the truth of the gospel. Which thing I am glad, and so are we all, to hear that your university has done in this council of Basil. For a certain treatise of yours is brought here to us, wherein you reprehend the rudeness, or rather the rashness of such, as deny the bishop of Rome, and the consistory of his judgment, to be subject to the general council; and that the supreme tribunal seat of judgment stands in the church, and in no one bishop. Such men as deny this, you so confound with lively reasons and truth of the scriptures, that they are neither able to slide away like slippery eels, neither to cavil or bring any objection against you."

The deposed Pope Eugenius, not acknowledging the acts of deposition, called a council at Florence, and in the meantime prevailed on the French king to make war on the council of Basil. The dauphin was defeated, but the council was at last dissolved.

As these things were doing at Basil, Pope Eugenius brought to pass in his convocation at Florence, that the emperor and the patriarch of Constantinople, with the rest of the Greeks there present, were persuaded to receive the sentence of the church of Rome, concerning the proceeding of the Holy Ghost; also to receive the communion in unleavened bread, to admit purgatory, and to yield themselves to the authority of the Romish bishop. To which, however, the churches of Greece would in no wise assent at their coming home, so that

with a public anathema they condemned all those legates who had consented to these articles, that none of them should be buried in christian burial. (A.D. 1439.)

And thus endeth the history, both of the council of Basil and of the council of Florence, also of the emperor Sigismund, and of the schism between Pope Eugenius and Pope Felix, (who was induced to resign the popedom to the successor of Eugenius,) and also of the Bohemians. The Bohemians, notwithstanding all these troubles and tumults, did right well, and were strong enough against all their enemies, till at length through discord, partly between the two preachers of the old and new city of Prague, partly also through the discord of the messengers and captains taking sides one against the other, they made their enemies strong, and enfeebled themselves. However they so defended the cause of their religion, not by sword, but by argument and disputation, that the bishop of Rome could never, nor yet to this day remove the Taborites and city of Prague from the communion of both kinds, nor could ever cause them to keep the conditions, which in the beginning of the council were enjoined their priests to observe.

During this business beyond the sea, our bishops here in England were not unoccupied. Whether it be the nature of the country, or the great livings and wealthy promotions of the clergy that influences them, it is certain that in England there is more burning and slaying for religion, and for all other matters more bloodsned among us, than in any other land or nation in Christendom besides. After the burning of Richard Hoveden, of Nicholas Canon, and of Thomas Bagley, priest, above recorded, whom the bishops condemned to death (A.D. 1431), not long after, about A.D. 1439, which was the seventeenth of the reign of King Henry VI., they had another poor man, named Richard Wiche, priest, who was first degraded, then burnt at Tower-hill for heresy.

After the burning of this man, a convocation was called by Henry, archbishop of Canterbury, wherein was propounded among the clergy, to consult what way were best for the removing away the law of Premuniri facias; for so were the hearts then of the temporalty set against the ecclesiastical sort, that where any vantage might be given them by the law, they did spare nothing; by reason of which the churchmen at that time were greatly molested by the law of Premuniri, and by the king's writs, and other indictments. By long consultation and good advisement, at last this way was taken, that a petition or supplication should be drawn and presented to the king, for the abolishing of the law of Premuniri facias, and also for the restraining of other briefs, writs, and indictments, which seemed then to lie heavy upon the clergy. This bill or supplication being contrived and exhibited by the archbishops of Canterbury and of York to the king, when he was standing in need of a subsidy to be collected of the clergy; this answer was given to their supplication, on the king's behalf; that forsomuch as the time of Christmas drew near, whereby he had as yet no sufficient leisure to advise upon the matter, he would take therein a farther pause. In the meantime, as one tendering their quiet, he would send to all his officers and ministers within his realm, that no such brief of Premuniri should pass against them, or any of them, from the said time of Christmas, till the next parliament, A.D. 1439.

The Invention of Printing.

In following the course of years, we find this year of our Lord, 1450, to be famous and memorable, for the divine and miraculous inventing of printing. Nauclerius, and Wymselingus following him, refer the invention to A. D. 1440. Others refer it to A. D. 1446, and 1450. The first inventor is thought to be a German, dwelling first in Strasburg, afterwards citizen of Mentz, named John Faustus, a goldsmith. The occasion of this invention was by engraving the letters of the alphabet in metal, then laying black ink upon the metal, it gave the form of letters in paper. The man being industrious and active, thought to proceed further, and to try

whether it would frame as well in words, and in whole sentences, as it did in letters: and when he perceived it did so, he acquainted one John Guttemberg, and Peter Schafferd, binding them by their oath to keep silence for a season. After ten years, John Guttemberg, copartner with Faustus, began then first to broach the matter at Strasburg. The art, being yet but rude, in process of time was advanced by various men of inventive genius, adding more and more to the perfection of it. In the number of whom, John Mentel, John Pruss, Adolphus Ruschius, were great helpers. Ulricus Han, in Latin called Gallus, first brought it to Rome.

However, whatever man was the instrument, without all doubt God himself was the ordainer and disposer thereof, no otherwise, than he was of the gift of tongues, and that for a similar purpose. And well may this gift of printing be resembled to the gift of tongues; for as God then spake with many tongues, and yet all that would not turn the Jews; so now, when the Holy Ghost speaks to the adversaries in innumerable sorts of books, yet they will not be converted, nor turn to the gospel.

Now to consider to what end and purpose the Lord hath given this gift of printing to the earth, and to what great utility and necessity it serves, is not hard to judge.

And first, touching the time of this invention being given to man, this is to be observed, that when the bishop of Rome, with all the whole and full consent of the cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, lawyers, doctors, provosts, deans, archdeacons, assembled together in the council of Constance, had condemned poor John Huss, and Jerome of Prague to death for heresy, though they were no heretics, and after they had subdued the Bohemians and all the whole world under the supreme authority of the Romish see; and had made all christian people obedient and vassals, having, as one would say, all the world at their will, so that the matter now was past, not only the power of all men, but the hope also of any man to be recovered: in this very time so dangerous and desperate, where man's power could do no more, then the blessed wisdom and omnipotent power of the Lord began to work for his church, not with sword and target to subdue his exalted adversary, but with printing, writing, and reading to convince darkness by light, error by truth, ignorance by learning. So that by this means of printing, the secret operation of God has heaped upon that proud kingdom a double confusion. For, whereas the bishop of Rome had burned John Huss before, and Jerome of Prague, who neither denied his transubstantiation, nor his supremacy, nor yet his popish mass, but said mass, and heard mass themselves, neither spake against his purgatory, nor any other great matter of his popish doctrine, but only exclaimed against his excessive and pompous pride, his unchristian or rather antichristian abomination of life: thus while he could not abide his wickedness of life to be touched, but made it heresy, or, at least matter of death, whatever was spoken against his detestable conversation and manners, God of his secret judgment, seeing time to help his church, has found a way by this art of printing, not only to confound his life and conversation, which before he could not abide to be touched, but also to cast down the foundation of his standing, that is, to examine, confute, and detect his most detestable doctrine, laws, and institutions in such sort, that though his life were never so pure, yet his doctrine standing as it does, no man is so blind but he may see, that either the pope is antichrist, or else that antichrist is near cousin to the pope; and all this does and will hereafter more and more appear by printing.

The reason whereof is this: Hereby tongues are known, knowledge grows, judgment increases, books are dispersed, the scripture is seen, the doctors are read, histories opened, times compared, truth discerned, falsehood detected, and all, as I said, through the benefit of printing. Wherefore, I suppose, that either the pope must abolish printing, or he must seek a new world to reign over; for else, as this world stands, printing doubtless will abolish him. But the pope, and all his

college of cardinals, must understand this, that through the light of printing the world begins now to have eyes to see, and heads to judge: he cannot walk so invisible in a net, but he will be spied. And although through might he stopped the mouth of John Huss before, and of Jerome, that they might not preach, thinking to make his kingdom sure; yet, instead of John Huss and others, God hath opened the press to preach, whose voice the pope is never able to stop with all the puissance of his triple crown. By this printing, as by the gift of tongues, and as by the singular organ of the Holy Ghost, the doctrine of the gospel sounds to all nations and countries under heaven, and what God reveals to one man, is dispersed to many, and what is known in one nation is opened to all.

The first and best were for the bishop of Rome, by the benefit of printing, to learn and know the truth. If he will not, let him well understand that printing is not set up for nought. To strive against the stream will not avail. What the pope has lost, since printing and the press began to preach, let him cast his counters. First, when Erasmus wrote, and Frobenius printed, what a blow thereby was given to all friars and monks in the world? And who sees not that the pen of Luther following after Erasmus, and set forward by printing, has set the triple crown so awry on the pope's head, that it is like never to be set straight again?

Briefly, if there were no demonstration to lead, yet by this one argument of printing, the bishop of Rome might understand the counsel and purpose of the Lord to work against him, having provided such a way in earth, that almost as many printing presses as there be in the world, so many bulwarks there are against the high castle of St. Angelo, so that either the pope must abolish knowledge and printing, or printing at length will root him out. As nothing made the pope strong in time past but lack of knowledge and ignorance of simple chris. tians so contrariwise, : now nothing debilitates and shakes the high spire of his papacy so much as reading, preaching, knowledge and judgment, that is to say, the fruit of printing; whereof some experience we see already, and more is likely (by the Lord's blessing) to follow. For although, through outward force and violent cruelty tongues dare not speak, yet the hearts of men daily, no doubt, are instructed through the benefit of printing. And though the pope hath now by cruelty, and in times past by ignorance, had all under his possession; yet neither must he think, that violence will always continue, neither must he hope for that now which he had then. In former days books were scarce, and of such excessive price, that few could attain to the buying, and still fewer to the reading and studying of them, which books now by the means of this art, are made accessible to all men. Ye heard before how Nicholas Belward bought a New Testament in those days for four marks and forty pence, whereas now the same price will well serve forty persons with so many books!

Moreover, it was before noted and declared by the testimony of Armachanus, how for defect of books and good authors, both universities were decayed and good men kept in ignorance, while begging friars, scraping all the wealth from other priests, heaped up all books that could be gotten, into their own libraries, where either they did not diligently apply them, or else did not rightly use them, or at least kept them from such as more fruitfully would have perused them. Wherefore Almighty God of his merciful Providence, seeing both what lacked in the church, and how also to remedy the same, for the advancement of his glory, gave the understanding of this excellent art or science of printing, whereby three singular benefits at one time came to the world. First, the price of all books is diminished. Secondly, the speedy help of reading furthered. And thirdly, the plenty of all good authors enlarged.

By reason of which, as printing of books ministered matter of reading, so reading brought learning, learning shewed light, by the brightness of which blind ignorance was suppressed, error detected, and finally God's glory with truth of his word advanced.

The lamentable losing of Constantinople.

A. D. 1453, Constantinus Paleologus, being emperor of Constantinople, on the twenty-ninth day of May, the great city of Constantinople was taken by the Turk Mahomet, after a siege of fifty-four days, which siege began in the beginning of April. Within the city, beside the citizens, there were only six thousand rescuers of the Greeks; and three thousand of the Venetians and Genoese. Against these Mahomet brought an army of four hundred thousand, collected out of the countries and places adjoining near about, as out of Grecia, Illyrica, Wallachia, Dardanis, Triballis, Bulgaria, out of Bithynia, Galatia, Lydia, Sicily, and such other, which places had the name yet of Christians. Thus one neighbour for lucre's sake helped to destroy another.

The city was compassed by the Turks both by the sea and land. Mahomet, the Turk, divided his army into three sundry parts, which in three parts of the city so beat the walls and brake them down, that they attempted by the breaches thereof to enter the city. But the valiantness of the christians therein won much commendation, whose duke was called John Justinian of Genoa. But as the assaults were great, and the number of the christian soldiers daily decreased, fighting both at the walls and at the haven against such a multitude of the Turks, they were not able long to hold out. Beside the armies which lay battering at the walls, the Turk had upon the sea his navy of two hundred and fifty sail, lying upon the haven of the city, reaching from the one side of the haven's mouth to the other, as if a bridge should be made from the one bank to the other. Which haven by the citizens was barred with iron chains, whereby the Turks were kept out a certain space. Against which navy there were seven ships of Genoa within the haven, and three of Crete, and certain of Chios, which stood against them. Also the soldiers issuing out of the city, as occasion would serve, did manfully withstand them, and with wild-fire set their ships on fire, that a certain space they could serve to no use. At length the chains being broken, and a way made, the Turk's navy entered the haven, and assaulted the city, whereby the Turk began to conceive great hope, and was in forwardness to obtain the city. The assault and skirmish then waxing more hot, Mahomet the tyrant stood by upon a hill, with his warriors about him, crying and howling out to them to scale the walls and enter the town, otherwise, if any recoiled, he threatened to kill them, and so he did. Wherefore a great number of his soldiers, in their repulse and retreat, were slain by the Turk's men, being sent by his commandment to slay them, and so they were justly served, and well paid their hire.

And so

Although this was some comfort to the christians to see and behold out of the city the Turk's retinue so consumed, yet that hope lasted not long. Shortly after by the rage of war, it happened that one Justinian, the duke above-named, was wounded; who, notwithstanding that he was earnestly desired by Paleologus the emperor, not to leave the tower which he had to keep, seeing his wound was not deadly dangerous; yet could he not be entreated to tarry, but left his standing and his fort undefended, setting none in his place to guard the same. this doughty duke hurt more with his false heart than with force of weapon, gave over and fled to Chio, where shortly after for sorrow, rather than for soreness of his wound, he died. Many of his soldiers, seeing their captain flee, followed after, leaving their fort utterly destitute without defence. The Turks, understanding that vantage, soon burst into the city. The Emperor Paleologus, seeing no other way but to fly, making toward the gate, either was slain, or else trodden down with the multitude. In the which gate, eight hundred dead men's bodies were found and taken up.

The city of Constantinople thus being got, the Turks sacking and ranging about the streets, houses, and corners, did put to the sword most unmercifully whomsoever they found, both aged and young, matrons, maidens, children, and infants, sparing none; the noble matrons and maidens were horribly insulted; the goods

of the city, the treasuries in houses, the ornaments in churches were all sacked and spoiled; the pictures of Christ opprobriously handled in hatred of Christ. The spoil and havock of the city lasted three days together, while the barbarous soldiers murdered and rifled what they liked.

These things being done, and the tumult ceased, after three days Mahomet the Turk entered the city, and first calling for the heads and ancients of the city, such as he found alive he commanded to be mangled and cut in pieces. It is also (saith my author) reported, that in the feasts of the Turks, all such as were of the king's stock, after other barbarities, were hewn and cut in pieces for their sport.

And this was the end of that princely and famous city of Constantinople, beginning first by a Constantine, and ending also with a Constantine, which for its princely royalty was named and ever honoured, from the time of the first Constantine, equally with the city of Rome, and called also by the name thereof New Rome, and also continued the space of 1123 years. I pray God that Old Rome may learn of New Rome, to take heed and beware betime.

This terrible destruction of the city of Constantinople, the queen of cities, I thought here to describe, not so much to set forth the barbarous cruelty of these filthy and merciless murderers; as specially for this, that we being admonished by the doleful ruin and misery of these our fellow christians, may call to mind the deserved plagues and miseries which seem to hang no less over our own heads, and thereby may learn betime to invoke and call more earnestly upon the name of our terrible and merciful God, that he for his Son's sake will keep us, and preserve his church among us, and mitigate those plagues and sorrows, which we no less have deserved, than these above minded have done before us. Christ grant it, Amen.

The history of Reynold Peacock bishop of Chichester, afflicted and imprisoned for the gospel of Christ.

After the death of Henry Chichesley before mentioned, next succeeded John Stafford, (A. D. 1445), who continued eight years. After him came John Kemp, (A. D. 1453), who sat but three years. Then succeeded Thomas Burschere. In the time of which archbishop, Reynold Peacock, bishop of Chichester, was afflicted by the pope's prelate for his faith and profession of the gospel. This man (saith Hall) began to move questions not privately, but openly in the universities, concerning the Annates, Peter-pence, and other jurisdictions, and authorities pertaining to the see of Rome, and not only put forth the questions, but declared his mind and opinion in the same; wherefore he was for this cause abjured at Paul's Cross." This bishop, first of St. Asaph, then of Chichester, so long as Duke Humfrey lived, (by whom he was promoted and much made of) was quiet and safe, and also bold to dispute and to write his mind, and wrote several books and treatises. But after that good duke was made away, this good man was open to his enemies, and matter soon found against him. Being complained of, and accused to the archbishop, letters were directed down from the archbishop, to cite all men to appear that could say any thing against him.

This citation being thus issued, the bishop came before the judges and bishops to Lambeth, where Thomas the archbishop, with his doctors and lawyers, were gathered together in the archbishop's court. The duke of Buckingham was present, accompanied with the bishops of Rochester, and of Lincoln. What were the opinions and articles objected against him, shall be specified in his revocation. In his answering for himself, in such a company of the pope's friends, although he could not prevail; yet stoutly defending himself, he declared many things worthy great commendation of learning, if learning could have prevailed against power.

But they on the contrary part, with all labour and diligence exerted themselves, either to reduce him, or else to confound him. Briefly, no stone was left un

in the town of Polus apud Equicolos, he caused eight men and six women, with the lord of the place, to be apprehended and taken, and judged for heretics, because they said none of them was the vicar of Christ who come after Peter, but they only who followed the poverty of Christ. Also he condemned of heresy, George the king of Bohemia, and deprived him of his dignity and also of his kingdom, and procured his whole stock to be utterly rejected and put down, giving his kingdom to Matthias king of Pannonia.

Now, from the popes let us descend to other estates, beginning with our troubles here at home, pertaining to the overthrow of King Henry VI. and his seat. Here is to be remembered, how, after the death of the duke of Glocester, mischiefs came in by heaps upon the king and his realm. For, after the giving away of Anjou and Maine to the Frenchmen, by the unfortunate marriage of Queen Margaret above mentioned, the Frenchmen, perceiving now by the death of the duke of Glocester, the stay and pillar of this commonwealth to be decayed, and seeing, moreover, the hearts of the nobility amongst themselves to be divided, lost no time, having such an open way into Normandy, and in a short time they recovered the same, and also got Gascony, so that no more now remained to England of all the parts beyond the sea, but only Calais. Neither yet did the calamity of the realm only rest in this: for the king now having lost his friendly uncle, as the stay and staff of his age, who had brought him up so faithfully from his youth, was now thereby the more open to his enemies, and they more emboldened to set upon him; as appeared first by Jack Cade the Kentish captain, who, encamping first on Blackheath, afterward aspired to London, and had the spoil thereof, the king being driven into Warwickshire (A.D. 1450.) Not long after the suppression of Cade's insurrection, the duke of York, accompanied by three earls, set upon the king near to St. Alban's, where the king was taken captive, and the duke of York was by parliament declared protector in the same year 1455. After this followed long division and mortal war between the two houses of Lancaster and York, continuing many years. At length, in the year 1460, the duke of York was slain in battle by the queen near to the town of Wakefield, and with him also his son, the earl of Rutland. The queen, also, shortly after, discomfited the earl of Warwick, and the duke of Norfolk, to whom the keeping of the king had been committed by the duke of York, and so the queen again delivered her husband.

After these victories, the northern men, advancing not a little in pride and courage, began to take upon them great attempts, not only to spoil and rob churches, and religious houses, and villages, but also fully intending, partly by themselves, partly by the inducement of their lords and captains, to sack, waste, and utterly to subvert the city of London, and to take the spoil thereof; and no doubt (saith my history) would have proceeded in their conceived greedy intent, had not the opportune favour of God provided a speedy remedy. For as these mischiefs were in brewing, suddenly the noble Prince Edward came to London with a mighty army, on the twenty-seventh of February, (1461,) he was the son and heir to the duke of York above mentioned, and was accompanied by the earl of Warwick, and divers more. King Henry, in the meantime, with his victory, went up to York; when Edward being at London, caused there to be proclaimed certain articles concerning his title to the crown of England, on the second of March; and then on the fourth, accompanied with the lords spiritual and temporal, and with much concourse of people, he rode to Westminster-hall, and there, by the full consent, as well of the lords, as also by the voice of all the commons, took his possession of the crown, and was called King Edward IV.

These things thus accomplished at London, the king proceeded northward against Henry, when, with his army he had passed over the river of Trent, and was come near to Ferrybridge, where the army of King Henry was not far off, upon Palm Sunday, between Ferrybridge and Tadcaster, both the armies of the southern and northern

men joined together in battle. And although at the beginning, some horsemen of King Edward's side turned their backs, yet the courageous prince, with his captains, little discouraged, fiercely and manfully set on their adversaries. The battle was so cruelly fought on both sides, that in the conflict there were slain to the number, as is reported, beside men of name, thirty-six thousand of the poor commons. Notwithstanding, the conquest fell on King Edward's part, so that King Henry having lost all, was forced to fly into Scotland, where he gave up to the Scots the town of Berwick, after he had reigned eight-and-thirty years and a half.

KING EDWARD THE FOURTH.

King Edward, after his conquest and victory achieved against King Henry, returned again to London, where, upon the vigil of St. Peter and Paul, (A.D. 1461,) being on Sunday, he was crowned king of England, and reigned twenty-two years.

When it was proposed that the king should marry, several alliances were suggested; and first, the Lady Margaret, sister to James IV. king of Scots, was thought of; afterward the Lady Elizabeth, sister to Henry king of Castile, but she being under age, the earl of Warwick turned to the French king Lewis XI., to obtain Lady Bona, daughter of the duke of Savoy, and sister to the French queen, and obtained consent. Meanwhile the king was pleased with Elizabeth Grey, widow of Sir John Grey, knight, slain before in the battle of St. Albans, daughter to the duchess of Bedford, and Lord Rivers, and first endeavoured to have her as his mistress. But she being unworthy (as she said) to be the wife of such an high personage, and thinking herself to be too good to be his mistress, so won the king's heart, that before the return of the earl of Warwick, he married her; at which marriage only the duchess of Bedford, two gentlewomen, the priest and clerk, were present. Upon this so hasty and unlucky marriage ensued no little trouble to the king, much bloodshed to the realm, undoing almost to all her kindred, and finally confusion to King Edward's two sons, which both were declared afterward to be illegitimate, and also deprived of their lives. For the earl of Warwick, who had been the faithful friend and chief maintainer before of the king, at the hearing of this marriage, was so angry, that he ever afterwards endeavoured to work displeasure to the king. And although for a time he dissembled his wrathful mood, till he might find a time convenient, and a world to set forward his purpose, at last finding occasion serving to his mind, he made known his purpose to his two brethren, to wit, the Lord Mountecute, or Montague, and the archbishop of York, conspiring with them how to bring it about. Then he also thought to find out the mind of the duke of Clarence, King Edward's brother, and he likewise obtained him on his side, giving him his daughter in marriage.

This matter being thus prepared against the king, the first flame of his conspiracy began to appear in the north country; where the northern men in a short space gathering themselves in an open rebellion, and finding captains of their wicked purpose, came down from York toward London. Against whom was appointed by the king, William Lord Herbert earl of Pembroke, with the Lord Stafford, and certain other captains to encounter. The Yorkshiremen giving the overthrow first to the Lord Stafford, then to the earl of Pembroke, and his company of Welshmen at Banbury Field, at last joining together with the army of the earl of Warwick, and the duke of Clarence, in the dead of the night secretly stealing on the king's field at Wolney by Warwick, killed the watch, and took the king pri soner, who first being in the castle of Warwick, then was conveyed by night to Middleham castle in Yorkshire, under the custody of the archbishop of York, where he having loose keeping, and liberty to go on hunting, meeting with Sir William Stanley, Sir Thomas of Borough, and other friends, was too good for his keepers, and escaped the hands of his enemies and so came to York, where he was well received; from thence