On the return of the king to London, a'parliament was assembled, which now, overawed by his success, no longer hesitated between the rival families, but imme diately recognised his title, and confirmed his authority. They were also ready in their servility to second his re venge against his enemies; and they passed an act of forfeiture and attainder against Henry VII. his queen, and infant son. This act was extended to the principal nobility and gentry that adhered to their cause ; and their estates were vested in the crown. But though the vic torious Edward had endeavoured to secure his elevation by the show of legal authority, and by the extirpation of his adversaries, there were many in the kingdom still warmly attached to the House of Lancaster. The Earl of Oxford and his son were detected in a correspondence with Margaret, were tried by martial law, and imme diately executed. Sir Willliam Tyrrel and some others suff( red in the same arbitrary manner, and for the same crime. The rigours of the government, however, in stead of reconciling the disaffected to its authority, only increased their animosity, and the people soon discover ed that they had exchanged a weak ruler for a tyranni cal one.
The battle of Touton had not extinguished the hopes of Margaret. She had engaged the assistance of France and Scotland, by promising to the one the surrender of Calais, and to the other the delivery of the important fortress of Berwick, should her family be again restored to the throne of England. Thus supported, she resolv ed to make another effort against her enemies, and hav ing received from Louis XL 2000 men at arms, and be ing farther reinforced by mans of her own partisans, and a numerous train of Scottish adventurers, she made an inroad into England. Ifer ill-fortune, however, still at tended her. Ile'. forces received a check at liedgelev moor, which was soon after followed by a complete de feat, near Hexham, by the Yorkists, under Lord AIon tague, brother to the Earl of 'Warwick, and warden of the East Marches. The Duke of Somerset, and the Lords Roos and Hungerford, were taker, in the pursuit, and immediately executed. The unfortunate queen, fly ing with her son from the rage of her enemies. was be nighted in Hexhant forest, and fell into the hands of rob bers, who regardless, perhaps ignorant, of her quality, s;ript her of her rings and jewels, and treated her with great indignity. She, however, found means to escape, while they were quarrelling about the spoil, and retired into the thickest of the wood. Overcome with terror and fatigue, she sunk down in despair, but was suddenly roused by the appearance of a robber, with his sword drawn. Seeing no way of escape, she resolved to trust to his mercy, and boldly advancing, she presented to him the young prince, " Here, my friend," said she, " I com mit to your care the safety of your king's son." The 111311, surprised by the singularity of this adventure, and pleased with the confidence reposed in him, offered her his protection, and gave her every assistance in his pow er. By his means, she remained concealed for some time
in the forest, and then made her escape beyond seas, to her father's court, where she lived for several years in privacy and retirement. Her husband was not so fortu nate ; for after lying concealed for about a year among his friends in Lancashire, he was discovered, and com mitted a prisoner to the Tower.
Edward being now firmly fixed upon the throne, and freed from all fears of danger from his enemies, gave loose reins to his libertine disposition, and indulged in all the dissipations and amusements of a luxurious court. His debaucheries and amours became so open and un restrained, that Warwick, apprehensive that they might spread disaffection among his subjects, advised him to marry; and Edward, in order to give greater security to his throne, had fixed upon Bona of Savoy, sister to the queen of France. By this alliance, he hoped to ensure the friendship of that power, which alone was able and in clined to give support and assistance to his rival, and he dispatched Warwick to demand Bona in marriage. The proposals were accepted, and the princess was ready to set out for England. But while Warwick was engaged in this negotiation, Edward had found a queen for him self.
Lady Elizabeth Gray, the widow of Sir John Gray of Groby, was remarkable for the grace and beauty of her person, as well as for other amiable accomplish ments. Her husband, who was a Lancastrian, was slain in the second battle of St Albans, upon which his estate was confiscated, when his widow went to live with her• father Sir Richard Woodville of Grafton. It was here the amorous monarch first beheld Lady Eliza beth, and after having vainly endeavoured to debauch her, he resolved to make her his queen. They were privately married at her father's scat ; and when this was communicated to Warwick, that nobleman, deem ing himself affronted, returned to England, filled with rage and discontent. Instead of endeavouring to pacify this powerful chief, to whom he owed his throne, Ed ward heightened his resentment by neglect, and the Earl retired in disgust from a court his important services seemed to be entirely forgotten. The breach was farther widened by the partiality of the king to the family of Woodville. The queen's father was created Earl ( f Rivers, and invested with the office of con stable for life, and three of her sisters were married to the Duke of Buckingham, and the Earls of Kent and I untingdon. The haughty Warwick could not brook to see an upstart family so far surpass him in authority and influence with the king ; and in this he was joined by the Duke of Clarence, Edward's brother, and many of the ancient nobility. The Earl's adherents were daily increased by his gracious and popular manners, and a dangerous combination was thus formed against Edward and his ministers.