HISTORY OF KING HENRY VIL 



perhaps, than after so long a distance of time we 

 can now discern. In the Kentish commotion, which 

 was but an handful of men, there were executed to 

 the number of one hundred and fifty ; but in this 

 so mighty a rebellion, but three. Whether it were 

 that the king put to account the men that were 

 slain in the field, or that he was not willing to be 

 severe in a popular cause, or that the harmless be 

 haviour of this people, that came from the west of 

 England to the east, without mischief almost, or 

 spoil of the country, did somewhat mollify him, 

 and move him to compassion ; or lastly, that he 

 made a great difference between people that did 

 rebel upon wantonness, and them that did rebel 

 upon want. 



After the Cornish men were defeated, there 

 came from Calais to the king an honourable embas- 

 sage from the French king, which had arrived at 

 Calais a month before, and there was stayed in re 

 spect of the troubles, but honourably entertained 

 and defrayed. The king, at their first coming, sent 

 unto them, and prayed them to have patience, till a 

 little smoke, that was raised in his country, were 

 over, which would soon be : slighting, as his manner 

 was, that openly, which nevertheless he intended 

 seriously. 



This embassage concerned no great affair, but 

 only the prolongation of days for payment of mo 

 neys, and some other particulars of the frontiers. 

 And it was, indeed, but a wooing embassage, with 



