; and the military force of Brittany was totally broken. The
death of the duke, which followed soon after, threw affairs into
still greater confusion, and seemed to threaten the state with a final
subjection.

Though the king did not prepare against these events, so hurtful to the
interests of England, with sufficient vigor and precaution, he had not
altogether overlooked them. Determined to maintain a pacific conduct,
as far as the situation of affairs would permit, he yet knew the warlike
temper of his subjects, and observed that their ancient and inveterate
animosity to France was now revived by the prospect of this great
accession to her power and grandeur. He resolved, therefore to make
advantage of this disposition, and draw some supplies from the people,
on pretence of giving assistance to the duke of Brittany. He had
summoned a parliament at Westminster;[**] and he soon persuaded them
to grant him a considerable subsidy.[***] But this supply, though
voted by parliament, involved the king in unexpected difficulties.
The counties of Durham and York, always discontented with Henry's
government, and further provoked by the late oppressions under which
they had labored, after the suppression of Simnel's rebellion, resisted
the commissioners who were appointed to levy the tax. The commissioners,
terrified with this appearance of sedition, made application to the
earl of Northumberland, and desired of him advice and assistance in
the execution of their office. That nobleman thought the matter of
importance enough to consult the king; who, unwilling to yield to
the humors of a discontented populace, and foreseeing the pernicious
consequence of such a precedent, renewed his orders for strictly levying
the imposition. Northumberland summoned together the justices and chief
freeholders, and delivered the king's commands in the most imperious
terms which, he thought, would enforce obedience, but which tended only
to provoke the people, and make them believe him the adviser of those
orders which he delivered to them. [****]

* Argentre Hist, de Bretagne, liv. xii.

** 9th November, 1487.

*** Polyd. Virg. (p 579) says, that this imposition was a
capitation tax; the other historians say, it was a tax of
two shillings in the pound.

**** Bacon, p. 595.

They flew to arms, attacked Northumberland in his house, and put him to
death. Having incurred such deep guilt, their mutinous humor prompt