was commissioned to
receive the homage and oaths of all in that country who owed suit and
service to the King. He fought side by side with Henry at the field of
Agincourt; and there seems to have grown stronger and riper between
them a spirit of friendship and mutual confidence.[22]

[Footnote 18: Roger Mortimer, fifth Earl of March,
son and heir of Philippa, daughter and heiress of
Lionel Duke of Clarence, third son of Edward III,
died in 1398; leaving two sons, Edmund, of whom we
are here speaking, then about six years of age, and
Roger, about a year younger.]

[Footnote 19: In a previous section of these
Memoirs, brief mention has been made of the
abortive attempt to carry off into Wales this young
Earl of March and his brother, and of the generous
conduct of Henry of Monmouth in his endeavour to
restore the Duke of York to the King's favour,
which he had forfeited in consequence of his
alleged participation in that bold design. A
manuscript has since been brought under the
Author's notice, which places in a very strong
light the treasonable and murderous purpose of
those who originated the plot, and would account
for the most watchful and jealous caution on the
part of the reigning family against a repetition of
such attempts. Henry must have been fully aware of
his danger; and the fact of his throwing off all
suspicion towards the young Earl, and receiving him
with confidence and friendship, enhances our
estimate of the generous and noble spirit which
actuated him. The document, in other points
curious, seems to deserve a place here:

"The Friday after St. Vallentyne's day, anno 6
Henrici Quarti, ye Erll of Marche's sons was
secretly conveyd out of Wyndsor Castell yerly in ye
morninge, and fond af[ter?] by diligent serche. But
ye smythe, for makyng the key, lost fyrst his
lands; after, his heed.