HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 285 



and in divers out of dependence upon some of the 

 better sort, who did in secret favour and nourish 

 these bruits. And it was not long ere these rumours 

 of novelty had begotten others of scandal and mur 

 mur against the king and his government, taxing 

 him for a great taxer of his people, and discounte- 

 nancer of his nobility. The loss of Britain, and the 

 peace with France were not forgotten. But chiefly 

 they fell upon the wrong that he did his queen, in 

 that he did not reign in her right. Wherefore they 

 said, that God had now brought to light a mascu 

 line branch of the house of York, that would not be 

 at his courtesy, howsoever he did depress his poor 

 lady. And yet, as it fareth in things which are 

 current with the multitude, and which they affect, 

 these fames grew so general, as the authors were lost 

 in the generality of speakers. They being like 

 running weeds that have no certain root ; or like 

 footings up and down impossible to be traced ; but 

 after a while these ill humours drew to an head, and 

 settled secretly in some eminent persons; which were, 

 Sir William Stanley, lord chamberlain of the king s 

 household, the Lord Fitzwater, Sir Simon Mount- 

 fort, and Sir Thomas Thwaites. These entered 

 into a secret conspiracy to favour Duke Richard s 

 title. Nevertheless none engaged their fortunes in 

 this business openly but two : Sir Robert Clifford, 

 and Master William Barley, who sailed over into 

 Flanders, sent indeed from the party of the conspi 

 rators here, to understand the truth of those things 

 that passed there, and not without some help of monies 



