296 HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 



any of the great ones, they might, without suspicion 

 or noise, or sending abroad of warrants, be presently 

 attached ; the court and prison being within the 

 cincture of one wall. After a day or two, the king 

 drew unto him a selected council, and admitted 

 Clifford to his presence ; who first fell down at his 

 feet, and in all humble manner craved the king s 

 pardon ; which the king then granted, though he 

 were indeed secretly assured of his life before. Then 

 commanded to tell his knowledge, he did amongst 

 many others, of himself, not interrogated, appeach 

 Sir William Stanley, the lord chamberlain of the 

 king s household. 



The king seemed to be much amazed at the 

 naming of this lord, as if he had heard the news of 

 some strange and fearful prodigy. To hear a man 

 that had done him service of so high a nature, as to 

 save his life, and set the crown upon his head ; a man* 

 that enjoyed, by his favour and advancement, so great 

 a fortune both in honour and riches ; a man, that was 

 tied unto him in so near a band of alliance, his bro 

 ther having married the king s mother ; and lastly, a 

 man, to whom he had committed the trust of his 

 person, in making him his chamberlain : that this 

 man, no ways disgraced, no ways discontent, no ways 

 put in fear, should be false unto him. Clifford was 

 required to say over again and again the particulars 

 of his accusation ; being warned, that in a matter so 

 unlikely, and that concerned so great a servant of 

 the king s, he should not in any wise go too far. 

 But the king finding that he did sadly and constantly, 



