gh idea entertained of
his policy and vigor retained the nobility and men of character in
obedience, the effects of his unpopular government soon appeared, by
incidents of an extraordinary nature.

* Bacon, p. 583.

There lived in Oxford one Richard Simon, a priest, who possessed
some subtlety, and still more enterprise and temerity. This man had
entertained the design of disturbing Henry's government, by raising a
pretender to his crown, and for that purpose he cast his eyes on Lambert
Simnel, a youth of fifteen years of age, who was son of a baker, and
who, being endowed with understanding above his years, and address
above his condition, seemed well fitted to personate a prince of royal
extraction. A report had been spread among the people, and received,
with great avidity, that Richard, duke of York, second son of Edward
IV., had, by a secret escape, saved himself from the cruelty of his
uncle, and lay somewhere concealed in England. Simon, taking advantage
of this rumor, had at first instructed his pupil to assume that name,
which he found to be so fondly cherished by the public: but hearing
afterwards a new report, that Warwick had made his escape from the
Tower, and observing that this news was attended with no less general
satisfaction, he changed the plan of his imposture, and made Simnel
personate that unfortunate prince.[*] Though the youth was qualified by
nature for the part which he was instructed to act, yet was it remarked,
that he was better informed in circumstances relating to the royal
family, particularly in the adventures of the earl of Warwick, than he
could be supposed to have learned from one of Simon's condition: and it
was thence conjectured, that persons of higher rank, partisans of the
house of York, had laid the plan of this conspiracy, and had conveyed
proper instructions to the actors. The queen dowager herself was exposed
to suspicion; and it was indeed the general opinion, however unlikely
it might seem, that she had secretly given her consent to the imposture.
This woman was of a very restless disposition. Finding that, instead
of receiving the reward of her services in contributing to Henry's
elevation, she herself was fallen into absolute insignificance, her
daughter treated with severity, and all her friends brought under
subjection, she had conceived the most violent animosity against him,
and had resolved to make him feel the effects of her resentment. She
knew that the imp