of Vandemonte. Her father, King René, | rights which, as Queen of England, she in reply to the epistle detailing her was entitled to. calamities and captivity, wrote. "May | God help you, child! and when you can for only a moment forget your own suferings, I beseech you to think of mine they are overwhelming; and yet, dearest daughter, would I console you in your sore afflictions." Henceforth the unfortunate Margaret lived in great retirement in one of her father's castles at Reculee. Joy was unknown to her; she seidom smiled, and passed the greater part of her time in brooding over her misfortunes. A length, the agonies of mind wrought a From the Tower Margaret was re- fearful change in her person, and a scaly moved to Windsor, and, lastly, to Wal- leprosy rendered the most beautiful of lingford. Here, through the kind in- womankind a spectacle horrible to look fluence of Elizabeth Woodville, Queen upon. When her father died, in 1480, of Edward the Fourth, the rigour of she sold any right which she possessed, her imprisonment was relaxed, and five or hereafter might possess, to any of his marks a week was allowed for the main- territories to the King of France, for an tenance of herself and her servants. annual pension of six thousand livres. King René, after straining every nerve, Shortly afterwards, she took up her abode procured her liberation by ceding Pro- at the Chateau of Damprierre, where, vence for half its value to Louis the care-worn and heart-broken, she closed Eleventh, who, in August, agreed to pay her career of trouble and misfortune in fifty thousand crowns for her ransom. August, 1482. The place of her sepulchre After a captivity of five years, the bro- was the grave of her parents in the Caken-hearted widow quitted Wallingford, thedral of Angers; no tomb or tablet and reached Dieppe in safety; from was erected to her memory, but her Dieppe she was conducted to Rouen, re-devotion and heroism can never be forsigned to the French ambassadors on gotten whilst the story of the bloody the twenty-second of January, 1476, and wars of the pale and the purple rose ocfive days afterwards she formally re-enpy a prominent place in the annals nounced all claim to the income" and ] of England. ELIZABETH WOODVILLE, Queen of Edward the Fourth. CHAPTER I. Elizabe's birth-Parentage-First wooer-Marriage to Sir Hugh Johns-She gives birth to two sons-i s-Plays the spy at the second battle of St. Alban's-Death of her husband- Her inheritance confiscated by the Yorkists-She waylays Edward the Fourth in the forest of Whittlebury-Wins the monarch's heart-Is privately married to him-The marriage gives umorage to the Earl of Warwick and othersIt is publicly acknowledged-Her dress-Dower-Coronation-Birth of the Princess Elizabeth-The royal favours heaped on her relations excite the jealousy of the nobles-Warwick's disappointment and chagrin-Robin of Redesdale insurrection -Battle of Edgecote-The Queen's father, and brother John, beheaded-The King made captive-Released-Forced to fly the country-The Red Rose faction triumphElizabeth with her family seeks safety in the sanctuary at Westminister-Birth of Edward the Fifth-The King again lands in England-Defeats the Red RoseTakes the Queen out of sanctuary-Creates his eldest son Prince of Wales. marriage in 1436, the duchess's dower was forfeited, but on her petition to parliament it was restored again, and Woodville, who had been thrown into prison for marrying a tenant of the crown without the royal license, obtained his liberty on the payment of a fine of one thousand pounds, and was after taken into favour at court and created Earl Rivers. Tife duchess principally resided at Grafton castle, and here the beautiful Flizabeth was born, before the marriage of her parents was made public, hence the uncertainty as to the date of her birth. Shortly after the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth was named maid of honour to that unfortunate queen. The first lover of the future Queen of England was Sir Hugh Johnes, a knight ELIZABETH WOODVILLE, Queen of Edward the Fourth. CHAPTER I. Elizabe's birth-Parentage-First wooer-Marriage to Sir Hugh Johns-She gives birth to two sons-Plays the spy at the second battle of St. Alban's-Death of her husband- Her inheritance confiscated by the Yorkists--She waylays Edward the Fourth in the forest of Whittlebury-Wins the monarch's heart-Is privately married to him-The marriage gives umbrage to the Earl of Warwick and othersIt is publicly acknowledged-Her dress-Dower-Coronation-Birth of the Princess Elizabeth-The royal favours heaped on her relations excite the jealousy of the nobles-Warwick's disappointment and chagrin-Robin of Redesdale insurrection -Battle of Edgecote-The Queen's father, and brother John, beheaded-The King made captive-Released-Forced to fly the country-The Red Rose faction triumphElizabeth with her family seeks safety in the sanctuary at Westminister-Birth of Edward the Fifth-The King again lands in England-Defeats the Red RoseTakes the Queen out of sanctuary-Creates his eldest son Prince of Wales. LIZABETHWOOD- marriage in 1436, the duchess's dower VILLE was born, it was forfeited, but on her petition to paris supposed, about liament it was restored again, and Woodthe year 1437. Her ville, who had been thrown into prison mother by birth, Jac- for marrying a tenant of the crown withquetta of Luxem-out the royal license, obtained his liberty burgh, was origin- on the payment of a fine of one thousand ally married to the pounds, and was after taken into favour Duke of Pedford, who, dying in 1435, at court and created Earl Rivers. Tife left her a widow at the tender age of duchess principally resided at Grafton seventeen. As third lady of the realm, castle, and here the beautiful Elizabeth Jacquetta was dowered on the royal de- was born, before the marriage of her mesnes, but disregarding the distinctions parents was made public, hence the unof rank, she fell in love with Sir Richard certainty as to the date of her birth. Woodville, a poor but handsome esquire Shortly after the arrival of Margaret of in her late husband's service, and who, Anjou, Elizabeth was named maid of after his death, escorted her to England, honour to that unfortunate queen. won her heart, and was privately mar ried to her. On the discovery of her The first lover of the future Queen of England was Sir Hugh Johnes, a knight |