The Life and Death of Jane Shore, Concubine to Edward IV/Chapter 7
CHAP VII.
Of her living in great pomp until the Death of King Edward; and of her being Concubine to Lord Hastings.
Jane Shore having surrendered up her chastity to the king, pleased with the glittering of a court, and endeared by a monarch's love, was admired by the vulgar, towards whom she behaved in a most courteous manner.
Her power was so great with the king that when his courtiers dared not intercede for the poor and miserable that lay under his displeasure, she with her wit, would so abate his anger, that she saved the lives of many, both poor and rich. And tho' she could in a manner do all with him, yet it was never known she used her influence to the prejudice of any. And both in London, and the progress shs made in the country, she would cause poor people to be sought for, and relieve their necessities, inducing and persuading others who expected any good offices from the king by her means, to do the same, never selling her favours, and by her ready wit she (illegible text) the court ladies, who so envied her (illegible text) that they found themselves unable to repartee. And tho' the king had another mistress before her, namely Lady Bessey, yet he preferred our heroine much above her, and would often merrily say, I have two mistresses of quite different tempers, one of the most religious, and the other the merriest in England: and indeed she was had in great favour all the reign of this king, having crouds of petetioners waiting at her chamber door, or at the chariot side, when she was to ride abroad, whose suits to the utmost of her power the preferred,—As for Mrs. Blague, who least deserved it of her, she procured of the king a stately house and manor worth 210l. per annum. The Romish priests were spighted at her, because she sheltered many from their rage and fury, after they had burned John Hall for a heretic.
As no worldly pomp nor greatness is of long continuance, so now her glory was ended, and her days of inexpressible misery began, for the king dying at Westminster, in the fortieth year of his age, no sooner was he buried in the chapel of his own founding at Windsor, but Crook backed Richard his brother, who murdered Henry VI. and prince Henry his son, aspiring to the throne, tho' Edward had left two sons behind him viz. Edward and Richard, and several daughters, all lawfully begotten by the Queen, quarrelled with Lord Hastings, who after the death of the King had taken Jane Shore for his concubine, as now free, because he would not assist him in his wicked project, of making away with his two newphews, whom he afterwards caused to be murdered in the Tower, alledging, that the Queen and Shore's wife had bewitched them: Shewing his withered arm, which all knew had been so from his cradle. And that Lord thinking to excuse her, said, If they have done so, they ought to be punished. Richard furiously replied, Thou traitor, dost thou serve me with Ifs and Ands? I say they have done so, and that will make good on thy body: wherefore; I arrest thee Lord Hastings of high treason. And soon after, he caused his head to be cut off in the Tower.
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