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Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 But for so much as his seruice was right accepta|ble to the king, as he that with great dexteritie could handle such affaires of the state, or other matters of charge as were committed to his hands, the king still kept him about his person, as one of his chéefe chapleins of houshold, and imploied him in sundrie offices, as occasions serued: and first he made him surueior of his works and buildings, namelie at Windsore, in reparing of that castell, and also at Quinburrough, where, by the kings appointment, a strong fortresse was raised, for defense of the realme on that side.He was also at one time treasuror of England (as Leland ga|thereth.) After this, he was aduanced to the kée|ping of the priuie seale, made ouerséeer of the wards and forrests, also treasuror of the kings reuenues in France, and at length was made bishop of Winche|ster. Yet the Blacke prince did not greatlie fauour him, wherevpon Wickham procured to kéepe him occupied in warres beyond the seas. But at length Iohn duke of Lancaster, and Alice Perers king Ed|wards concubine, conceiuing some great displea|sure against him, found meane to procure the king to banish him the realme, and then he remained in Normandie and Picardie for the space of seauen yeares, or thereabout, and might not be restored so long as king Edward liued. But after his deceasse, about the second yeare of king Richard the seconds reigne, he was restored home, and purchased a gene|rall pardon for all matters past that might be sur|mized against him, or laid to his charge.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 Afterwards he bare himselfe so vprightlie in that dangerous time, when such misliking and priuie en|uie reigned betwixt the king and his nobles, that both parts séemed to like of him, insomuch that when the king made him lord chancellor, there was not a|nie that greatlie repined thereat; and verelie in that the king made choise of him before others to occupie that place, it argueth there was not so euill a disposi|tion in the king, nor lacke of discretion in order of gouernment, as writers seeme to charge him with. But where other could not so well beare iniuries at others hands as happilie Wickham could, the fire of dissention cheeflie kindled thereof. For if the duke of Irel [...]nd, and the earle of Suffolke, with those of that faction could haue refrained to shew their displea|sures, when the duke of Glocester and other his com|plices pinched at them (for that they saw the king haue them in more estimation than they wished) matters might haue béene qualified peraduenture with lesse adoo, and without danger to haue insued to either part. But howsoeuer it went with them, it may doubtlesse be easilie coniectured, that Wick|ham was a man of singular wisedome, and politike forecast, that could from meane degrée in such wise clime aloft, and afterwards passe through the chan|ces and changes of variable fortune, kéeping him|selfe euer so in state, that he grew at length to be a|ble to furnish the chargeable expenses of two such no|table foundations which he left behind him, to make his name immortall. But leauing the consideration hereof to others, I will returne to the purpose from whence I haue thus far stepped.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 3 4 In this sixt yeare, the fridaie after saint Ualen|tines daie, the earle of March his sonnes earlie in the morning were taken foorth of Windsore castell,

The earle of Marches sonnes.

Thom. Walsin.

and conueied awaie, it was not knowne whither at the first, but such search and inquirie was made for them that shortlie after they were heard of, and brought backe againe. The smith that counterfeited the keies, by the which they that conueied them thence got into the chamber where they were lodged, had first his hands cut off, and after his head striken from his shoulders. The ladie Spenser,The ladie Spenser cõ|mitted to ward. sister to the duke of Yorke and widow of the lord Thomas Spenser, executed at Bristow (as before yee haue heard) being apprehended and committed to close prison, accused hir brother the duke of Yorke,She accuseth hir brother the duke of Yorke, as chéefe authour in stealing awaie the said earle of March his sonnes. And further, that the said duke ment to haue broken into the manor of Eltham the last Christmasse, by scaling the wals in the night sea|son, the king being there the same time, to the intent to haue murthered him. For to prooue hir accusation true, she offered that if there were anie knight, or es|quier, that would take vpon him to fight in hir quar|rell, if he were ouercome, she would be content to be burnt for it.

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