[15] Polydore Virgil. Lord Bacon observes, in his _Life of Henry VII._, 'which proceeding, being even at that time taxed for rigorous and undue makes it probable there was some greater matter against her, which the King, upon reason of policy, would not publish.' Undoubtedly, there was; she knew too much. [16] Dr. Lingard (iv. 279 and 286_n_) and Nicolas (p. lxxviii) bring forward a negotiation with the King of Scots, in November 1487, in which Henry proposed that James III. should marry the Queen Dowager, as a proof that he never deprived her of liberty. If he suspected her, they argue, he would not have given her the opportunity of plotting against him, which her situation as Queen of Scotland would have afforded her. Although Henry may have momentarily entertained the idea of getting rid of a woman who knew too much by this expatriation, he soon changed his mind. She was safer in his power. The negotiations were broken off, and James was killed in the following year. [17] She was present when her daughter gave audience to the French Ambassador in November 1489 (_Leland Coll._ iv. 249). Henry allowed her a pension of 400_l._ a year from February 19, 1490. Her will, dated April 10, 1492, is witnessed by the Abbot of Bermondsey. She here confirms the fact of the seizure of her property by her son-in-law. Her words are decisive on that point. 'Whereas I have no worldly goods.' Sir H. Nicolas tried to account for this by suggesting that she only had a life interest in her income. But this will not explain so sweeping a statement as that she had no worldly goods at all (p. lxxx). Mr. Gairdner says: 'Henry VII. found it advisable to shut up his mother-in-law in a monastery, and had not the slightest scruple in taking her property away from her' (_Richard III._ p. 88). [18] _Letters Patent_, March 4, 1486. [19] Gairdner's _Henry VII._ [20] 'The King's manner of showing things by pieces and side lights hath so muffled it that it hath left it almost a mystery to this day.'--Lord Bacon. [21] i. 501. [22] He was made a Knight Banneret at the taking of Berwick, in 1482. [23] They were Sir William Courtenay, one Welborne, and Tyrrel's son, who were pardoned; Sir Walter Tyrrel and Sir John Wyndham beheaded; a Ship-master hanged at Tyburn, a Poursuivant named Curson, and a Yeoman named Matthew Jones executed at Guisnes; all on suspicion of having aided the Earl of Suffolk to escape. [24] In Rennet's _England_, i. p. 552. Mr. Gairdner, referring to this note by Strype, says: 'I own I cannot find his authority.'--_Richard III._ p. 164. [25] _Harl. MS._ 433, fol. 55. [26] _Harl. MS._ 433, fol. 78 and 187. [27] _Ibid._ 433, fol. 118. [28] v. 577. [29] The Earl of Oxford was appointed Constable of the Tower for life, on September 22, 1485. We may hope that Oxford, who did not reside, had no guilty knowledge. [30] _Memorials of Henry VII._ i. pp. 41, 95. [31] _Memorials of Henry VII._ i. p. 384.