HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 269 



accident of a faulty helmet that Parker had on, he 

 was stricken into the mouth at the first course, so 

 that his tongue was borne unto the hinder part of his 

 head, in such sort that he died presently upon the 

 place. Which, because of the controversy precedent, 

 and the death that followed, was accounted amongst 

 the vulgar as a combat or trial of right. The king 

 towards the end of this summer, having put his 

 forces, wherewith he meant to invade France, in 

 readiness, but so as they were not yet met or mus 

 tered together, sent Urswick, now made his almoner, 

 and Sir John Risley, to Maximilian, to let him know 

 that he was in arms, ready to pass the seas into 

 France, and did but expect to hear from him, when 

 and where he did appoint to join with him, accord 

 ing to his promise made unto him by Countebalt, 

 his ambassador. 



The English ambassadors having repaired to 

 Maximilian, did find his power and promise at a 

 very great distance ; he being utterly unprovided of 

 men, money, and arms, for any such enterprise. For 

 Maximilian, having neither wing to fly on, for that 

 his patrimony of Austria was not in his hands, his 

 father being then living, and on the other side, his 

 matrimonial territories of Flanders were partly in 

 dowry to his mother-in-law, and partly not service 

 able, in respect of the late rebellions ; was thereby 

 destitute of means to enter into war. The am 

 bassadors saw this well, but wisely thought fit to 

 advertise the king thereof, rather than to return 

 themselves, till the king s further pleasure were 

 known: the rather, for that Maximilian himself 



