orror to the people, and bring
on him the condemnation of the clergy."

At a Christmas festival at Rhedon, in Brittany, Henry of Richmond met
English exiles to the number of 500, and swore to marry Elizabeth of
York as soon as he should subdue the usurper; and thereupon the exiles
unanimously agreed to support him as their sovereign. On the 1st of
August, 1485, Henry set sail from Harfleur with an army of 3,000 men,
and a few days afterwards landed at Milford Haven. He was received
with manifest delight, and as he advanced through Wales his forces
were increased to upwards of 6,000 men. Before the close of the month
he had encountered the royal army and slain the King at Bosworth
Field, and by this memorable victory had terminated the terrible Wars
of the Roses and introduced into England a new dynasty.

[19] Browning.

[20] "Every-day Book," vol. ii. p. 1635.

[21] "Shorter Poems."

[22] Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of England, France,
Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Brittany, Flanders, and the
adjoining countries; translated from the original French,
at the command of King Henry the Eighth, by John
Bourchier, Lord Berners. London edition, 1812.

[23] Cassell's "History of England."

[24] Creighton's "Life of Edward the Black Prince."

[25] "Sports and Pastimes."

[26] Cassell's "History of England."

[27] Shakespeare.

[28] "History of Chivalry."

[29] "Sandringham Past and Present, 1888."

[30] King's Lynn Chamberlains' Accounts Rolls, 23rd of
Henry VI.

[31] "Chronicles of the White Rose of York."

[32] "Paston Letters."

[33] Halstead's "Life of Richard III."

CHAPTER VI.

CHRISTMAS UNDER HENRY VII. AND HENRY VIII.

(1485-1547.)

HENRY THE SEVENTH

Was the son of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, son of Owen Tudor, a
Welsh gentleman who had married the widow of Henry V. His mother,
Margaret, was a great-granddaughter of John of Gaunt by Catherine
Swynford. In early life Henry was under the protection of Henry VI.;
but after the battle of Tewkesbury he was taken by his uncle, Jasper
Tudor, Earl of Pembroke, to Brittany for safety. Edward IV. made
several unsuccessful attempts to get him into his power, and Richard
III. also sent spies into Brittany to ascertain his doings. On
Christmas Day, 1483, the English exiles, who gathered round Henry in
Brittany, took an oath in the Cathedral of Rheims to support