HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 299 



&quot; of a dog.&quot; And infinite cases may be put of like 

 nature ; which, it seemeth, the grave judges taking 

 into consideration, would not admit of treasons upon 

 condition. And as for the positive words, &quot; That 

 &quot; he would not bear arms against King Edward s 

 &quot; son ;&quot; though the words seem calm, yet it was a 

 plain and direct over-ruling of the king s title, either 

 by the line of Lancaster, or by act of parliament ; 

 which, no doubt, pierced the king more, than if Stan 

 ley had charged his lance upon him in the field. For 

 if Stanley would hold that opinion, that a son of 

 King Edward had still the better right, he being so 

 principal a person of authority and favour about the 

 king, it was to teach all England to say as much. 

 And therefore, as those times were, that speech 

 touched the quick. But some writers do put this 

 out of doubt; for they say, that Stanley did ex 

 pressly promise to aid Perkin, and sent him some 

 help of treasure. 



Now for the motive of his falling off from the 

 king ; it is true, that at Bosworth-field the king was 

 beset, and in a manner inclosed round about by the 

 troops of King Richard, and in manifest danger of 

 his life ; when this Stanley was sent by his brother, 

 with three thousand men to his rescue, which he per 

 formed so, that King Richard was slain upon the 

 place. So as the condition of mortal men is not 

 capable of a greater benefit, than the king received 

 by the hands of Stanley ; being like the benefit of 

 Christ, at once to save and crown. For which ser 

 vice the king gave him great gifts, made him his 

 VOL. 3. 



