he
remained a year unknown to all the world.

The war, which was then ready to break out between France and England,
seemed to afford a proper opportunity for the discovery of this new
phenomenon; and Ireland, which still retained its attachments to
the house of York, was chosen as the proper place for his first
appearance.[*] He landed at Cork; and immediately assuming the name of
Richard Plantagenet, drew to him partisans among that credulous people.
He wrote letters to the earls of Desmond and Kildare, inviting them to
join his party: he dispersed every where the strange intelligence of
his escape from the cruelty of his uncle Richard: and men, fond of every
thing new and wonderful, began to make him the general subject of their
discourse, and even the object of their favor.

The news soon reached France; and Charles, prompted by the secret
solicitations of the duchess of Burgundy, and the intrigues of one
Frion, a secretary of Henry's, who had deserted his service, sent Perkin
an invitation to repair to him at Paris. He received him with all the
marks of regard due to the duke of York; settled on him a handsome
pension, assigned him magnificent lodgings, and in order to provide at
once for his dignity and security, gave him a guard for his person,
of which Lord Congresal accepted the office of captain. The French
courtiers readily embraced a fiction which their sovereign thought
it his interest to adopt: Perkin, both by his deportment and personal
qualities, supported the prepossession which was spread abroad of his
royal pedigree: and the whole kingdom was full of the accomplishments,
as well as the singular adventures and misfortunes, of the young
Plantagenet. Wonders of this nature are commonly augmented at a
distance. From France the admiration and credulity diffused themselves
into England: Sir George Nevil,[*] Sir John Taylor, and above a hundred
gentlemen more, came to Paris, in order to offer their services to the
supposed duke of York, and to share his fortunes: and the impostor had
now the appearance of a court attending him, and began to entertain
hopes of final success in his undertakings.

* Polyd Virg. p. 589.

When peace was concluded between France and England at Estaples, Henry
applied to have Perkin put into his hands; but Charles, resolute not
to betray a young man, of whatever birth, whom he had invited into his
kingdom, would agree only to dismiss him. The pretended Richard retired
to