Norfolk gave orders for the restoration of the grantees of the monasteries, and the conference broke up[76]. It is an interesting point to consider whether the Pilgrims believed that the prisoners in Lincolnshire would be included in this pardon. They had so far prevented any executions from taking place there, but although they probably hoped that they might be able to obtain mercy for the Lincolnshire men the Pilgrims were not in a position to treat on their behalf. They had deserted Yorkshire and made terms for themselves; now they must abide by these. Darcy, however, made a daring effort for them. On 15 December he wrote to Suffolk that he would not allow Waters’ ship to be delivered unless the appointment at Doncaster was observed in Lincolnshire, and his intervention had the effect of preventing any executions for the time[77]. The end of the second conference at Doncaster is the end of the Pilgrims’ success. They had allowed the issue to be changed from a trial of strength to a trial of diplomacy, and though Henry might have been overcome by force, he had not his match as a diplomat. The leaders, who were on the whole rather old-fashioned and simple-minded, were baffled without the slightest difficulty and Henry’s triumph was almost ridiculously easy and complete. There is one peculiarity of the conference at Doncaster which strikes the modern reader instantly, namely, that the terms do not appear to have been written down. It was later a part of Henry’s plan of action to slur over the second conference as much as possible. Not a single interrogation about it was addressed to any of the prisoners, and the only information on the subject is derived from a few chance remarks, and from the brief account which Aske drew up for the King while he still believed that the terms would be observed. In these references there is absolutely nothing to show that the Pilgrims either signed any document themselves, or demanded any written copy of the terms from Norfolk. Henry had suggested that the leaders of the Pilgrimage should be required to sign a document pledging themselves to demand nothing from the King except a free pardon and a free parliament, but it seems that this paper was never drawn up.