“O good Lord God that art omnipotent, Why streched not thy power and thy might To kepe this prince, that sette was and consent With th’ emperour, to conquere cirry right, And with Christen inhabite, it had hight Why favoured so thyne high omnipotence Miscreaunce more then his benevolence. Above all thyng he keped the lawe and peace Through all England, that none insurrection Ne no riotes were then withouten lese, Nor neighbour werre in faute of correccion: But peasebly under his proteccion, Compleyntes all, of wronges in generall, Refourmed were well under his yerd egall. When he in Fraunce was dayly conversant His shadow so obumbred all England, That peace and lawe kepte continuant In his absence throughout all this land, And else, as I conceyve and understand, His power had been lite to conquere Fraunce Nor other realmes that well were lesse perchaunce. The peace at home and lawe so well conserved, Were croppe and rote of all his hie conquest Through whiche the love of God he well deserved And of his people by North, South, Est, and West, Who might have slain that prince or downe him cast That stode so sure in rightfull governaunce For common weale, to God his hie pleasaunce.” CHAPTER XI HENRY VI [Illustration: HENRY VI. AS AN INFANT From Strutt’s _Manners and Customs_.] The disastrous and miserable reign of Henry of Windsor began when the King, an infant less than a year old, was carried through London in the lap of his mother. He was placed under the guardianship of the late King’s brothers, the Duke of Bedford and the Duke of Gloucester. The former being the elder claimed to be Protector of the Realm, which was granted him, his Protectorate to begin on his return from France. The glories and victories of the late reign, the personal popularity of Henry V., and his constant support of the Church seemed to have removed for the time all fears of further risings against the Lancastrian House. But the materials for rebellion always remain where there is a rightful heir standing apart, and not contented with the simple rank of noble. The reign, indeed, began with the conviction of Sir John Mortimer for treasonable designs in favour of the Earl of March. In addition to this danger, the great nobles were always ready to take offence and to join any insurrection that might offer; while, as regards the City, though it was true and loyal to all appearance, its loyalty, as had been already proved on many occasions, would not stand the strain of bad trade, increased taxation, or invasion of the City liberties. Above all, the young King had a very long period of tutelage before him, and the country had to expect during that period the uncertainties and the dangers of a Protectorate. The first sign of approaching disturbance was the quarrel between the Duke of Gloucester and Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester.