covered not his liberty during the king's lifetime. But Henry's chief
severity fell upon Sir James Windham and Sir James Tyrrel, who were
brought to their trial, condemned, and executed: the fate of the latter
gave general satisfaction, on account of his participation in the murder
of the young princes, sons of Edward IV. Notwithstanding these
discoveries and executions, Curson was still able to maintain his credit
with the earl of Suffolk: Henry, in order to remove all suspicion, had
ordered him to be excommunicated, together with Suffolk himself, for his
pretended rebellion. But after that traitor had performed all the
services expected from him, he suddenly deserted the earl, and came over
to England, where the king received him with unusual marks of favor and
confidence. Suffolk, astonished at this instance of perfidy, finding
that even the duchess of Burgundy, tired with so many fruitless
attempts, had become indifferent to his cause, fled secretly into
France, thence into Germany, and returned at last into the Low
Countries; where he was protected, though not countenanced, by Philip,
then in close alliance with the king.

Henry neglected not the present opportunity of complaining to his guest
of the reception which Suffolk had met with in his dominions. "I really
thought," replied the king of Castile, "that your greatness and felicity
had set you far above apprehensions from any person of so little
consequence: but, to give you satisfaction, I shall banish him my
state." "I expect that you will carry your complaisance further," said
the king; "I desire to have Suffolk put into my hands, where alone I can
depend upon his submission and obedience." "That measure," said Philip,
"will reflect dishonor upon you as well as myself. You will be thought
to have treated me as a prisoner." "Then the matter is at an end,"
replied the king; "for I will take that dishonor upon me; and so your
honor is saved."[*] The king of Castile found himself under a necessity
of complying; but he first exacted Henry's promise that he would spare
Suffolk's life. That nobleman was invited over to England by Philip; as
if the king would grant him a pardon, on the intercession of his friend
and ally. Upon his appearance, he was committed to the Tower; and
the king of Castile, having fully satisfied Henry, as well by this
concession as by signing a treaty of commerce between England and
Castile, which was advantageous to the former kingdom,[*] wa