bits of restless intrigue
and enterprise followed him. He insinuated himself into the intimacy of
four servants of Sir John Digby, lieutenant of the Tower; and by their
means opened a correspondence with the earl of Warwick, who was confined
in the same prison. This unfortunate prince, who had from his earliest
youth been shut up from the commerce of men, and who was ignorant even
of the most common Affairs of life, had fallen into a simplicity which
made him susceptible of any impression. The continued dread also of the
more violent effects of Henry's tyranny, joined to the natural love of
liberty, engaged him to embrace a project for his escape, by the murder
of the lieutenant; and Perkin offered to conduct the whole enterprise.
The conspiracy escaped not the king's vigilance: it was even very
generally believed, that the scheme had been laid by himself, in order
to draw Warwick and Perkin into the snare; but the subsequent execution
of two of Digby's servants for the contrivance seems to clear the king
of that imputation, which was indeed founded more on the general idea
entertained of his character than on any positive evidence.

Perkin, by this new attempt, after so many enormities, had rendered
himself totally unworthy of mercy; and he was accordingly arraigned,
condemned, and soon after hanged at Tyburn, persisting still in the
confession of his imposture.[*] [1] It happened about that very time
that one Wilford, a cordwainer's son, encouraged by the surprising
credit given to other impostures, had undertaken to personate the earl
of Warwick; and a priest had even ventured from the pulpit to recommend
his cause to the people, who seemed still to retain a propensity to
adopt it. This incident served Henry as a pretence for his severity
towards that prince. He was brought to trial, and accused, not of
contriving his escape, (for as he was committed for no crime, the desire
of liberty must have been regarded as natural and innocent,) but of
forming designs to disturb the government, and raise an insurrection
among the people. Warwick confessed the indictment was condemned, and
the sentence was executed upon him.

* See note A, at the end of the volume.

This violent act of tyranny, the great blemish of Henry's reign, by
which he destroyed the last remaining male of the line of Plantagenet,
begat great discontent among the people, who saw an unhappy prince, that
had long been denied all the privileges of his h