The Wars of the Roses; or, Stories of the Struggle of York and LancasterEdgar, John G. (John George)
History
The Wars of the Roses; or, Stories of the Struggle of York and Lancaster
Edgar, John G. (John George)
Great Britain -- History -- Wars of the Roses, 1455-1485
Vauclerc, however, gave the earl information by no means valueless,
in the shape of a warning that on putting to sea he must beware where
he landed, as the myrmidons of Burgundy were on the watch to seize
him. At the same time, he took occasion secretly to send an apology
to Warwick, and to represent his conduct as being entirely guided by
zeal for the earl's safety. "Calais," said he, "is ill-supplied with
provisions; the garrison can not be depended on; the inhabitants,
who live by the English commerce, will certainly take part with the
established government; and the city is in no condition to resist
England on one side and Burgundy on the other. It is better, therefore,
that I should seem to declare for Edward, and keep the fortress in my
power till it is safe to deliver it to you." Warwick was not, probably,
in a very credulous mood; but he took Vauclerc's explanation for what
it was worth, ordered the anchors to be hauled up, and, having defied
Burgundy's enmity by seizing some Flemish ships that lay off Calais,
sailed toward the coast of Normandy.
King Edward, on hearing of Vauclerc's refusal to admit Warwick,
expressed himself highly pleased with the deputy-governor,
and manifested his approval by sending the Gascon a patent
as Captain-general of Calais. Burgundy, not to be behind his
brother-in-law, dispatched Philip de Comines to announce to Vauclerc
that he should have a pension of a thousand crowns for life, and to
keep him true to his principles. Vauclerc must have laughed in his
sleeve at all this. "Never man," says Sir Richard Baker, "was better
paid for one act of dissembling."
Meanwhile, Warwick landed at Harfleur, where his reception was all
that could have been wished. The governor welcomed the exiles with
every token of respect, escorted the ladies to Valognes, and hastened
to communicate Warwick's arrival to the king. Louis exhibited the most
unbounded confidence in the earl's fortunes. Indeed, so confident in
the king-maker's alliance was the crafty monarch, that he prepared
to brave the united enmity of Edward of England and Charles of
Burgundy. Without delay he invited the great exile to court; and,
as Warwick and Clarence--whom Warwick then intended to place on the
English throne--rode toward Amboise, their journey excited the utmost
curiosity. Every where the inhabitants were eager to see "The Stout
Earl;" and Jacques Bonnehomme came from his cabin to gaze on the man
who made and unmade kings, and who, unlike the nobles of France, took
pride in befriending the people in peace and sparing them in war.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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