ntimate with the
common low-browed bull-dog of the fifteenth century would find that it
must certainly hurt him in the end.

[Illustration: THE MAN WHO GOT TOO INTIMATE WITH THE COMMON LOW-BROWED
BULL-DOG.]

He resided for several years under the tutelage of the Earl of Warwick,
who was called the "Kingmaker," and afterwards, in 1470, fled to
Flanders, remaining fled for some time. He commanded the van of the
Yorkist army at the battle of Barnet, April 14, 1471, and Tewkesbury,
May 4, fighting gallantly at both places on both sides, it is said, and
admitting it in an article which he wrote for an English magazine.

He has been accused of having murdered Prince Edward after the battle,
and also his father, Henry VI., in the Tower a few days later, but it is
not known to be a fact.

Richard was attainted and outlawed by Parliament at one time; but he was
careful about what he ate, and didn't get his feet wet, so, at last,
having a good preamble and constitution, he pulled through.

He married his own cousin, Anne Neville, who made a first-rate queen.
She got so that it was no trouble at all for her to reign while Dick was
away attending to his large slaughtering interests.

Richard at this time was made Lord High Constable and Keeper of the
Pound. He was also Justiciary of North Wales, Seneschal of the Duchy of
Lancaster, and Chief of Police on the North Side.

His brother Clarence was successfully executed for treason in February,
1478, and Richard, without a moment's hesitation, came to the front and
inherited the estates.

[Illustration: RICHARD HAD A STORMY TIME.]

Richard had a stormy time of it up to 1481, when he was made "protector
and defender of the realm" early in May. He then proceeded with a few
neglected executions. This list was headed--or rather beheaded--by Lord
Chamberlain Hastings, who tendered his resignation in a pail of saw-dust
soon after Richard became "protector and defender of the realm." Richard
laid claim to the throne in June, on the grounds of the illegitimacy of
his nephews, and was crowned July 6. So was his queen. They sat on this
throne for some time, and each had a sceptre with which to welt their
subjects over the head and keep off the flies in summer. Richard could
wield a sceptre longer and harder, it is said, than any other
middle-weight monarch known to history. The throne used by Richard is
still in existence, and has an aperture in it containing some very old
gin.

Th