30 



Historians are, however, far from agreeing whether 

 such a circumstance ever occurred ; and there are Bome 

 writers of credit and research, who confidently dispute it. 



We have, howevex', a very high authority in PhilHppe 

 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 Boy, son maistre, 

 entre ses mains," &c. &c. •«■%%* 



" et garda le Roy son maistre une espace de temps hon- 

 nestement; et luy mit nouveaux serviteurs a I'entour, 

 pour luy faire oublier les autres ; et luy sembloit que son 

 maistre estoit un peu simple. Le Due de Bourgongne 

 eut grand doute de ceste adventure, et pratiquoit secrette- 

 ment que le Roy Edouard peust e'ehaper, et qu'il eust 

 moyen et fagon de parler a' luy ; et tant allerent les 

 choses, que le diet Roy Edouard e'chapa, et assembla 

 gens, et' detroussa quelques bandes de ceux du diet 

 Comte de AVarwic."'" 



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. 

 (2) Rot. Pari. 17 Edward IV., (1477). Vol. vi., fo. 103. 



