HISTORY OF KING HENRY VII. 347 



thousand men of the rude people. There he set 

 forth a new proclamation, stroking the people with 

 fair promises, and humouring them with invectives 

 against the king and his government. And as it 

 fareth with smoke, that never loseth itself till it be 

 at the highest ; he did now before his end raise his 

 style, intitling himself no more Richard, Duke of 

 York, but Richard the Fourth, King of England. 

 His council advised him by all means to make him 

 self master of some good walled town ; as well to 

 make his men find the sweetness of rich spoils, and 

 to allure to him all loose and lost people, by like 

 hopes of booty ; as to be a sure retreat to his forces, 

 in case they should have any ill day, or unlucky 

 chance in the field. Wherefore they took heart to 

 them, and went on, and besieged the city of Exeter, 

 the principal town for strength and wealth in those 

 parts. 



When they were come before Exeter, they for- 

 bare to use any force at the first, but made con 

 tinual shouts and outcries to terrify the inhabitants. 

 They did likewise in divers places call and talk to 

 them from under the walls, to join with them, and 

 be of their party ; telling them, that the king 

 would make them another London, if they would 

 be the first town that would acknowledge him. 

 But they had not the wit to send to them, in any 

 orderly fashion, agents or chosen men, to tempt 

 them, and to treat with them. The citizens, on 

 their part, shewed themselves stout and loyal sub 

 jects ; neither was there so much as any tumult or 

 VOL. 3. x 



