The Holinshed Texts (1587, Volume 6, p. 527)

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.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 One of hir esquiers named William Maidstone,Williã Maid|stone esquier offred to fight in his ladies quarrell. hearing what answer his ladie and mistresse pro|pounded, cast downe his hood, and proffered in hir cause the combat. The duke likewise cast downe his hood, readie by battell to cleare his innocencie. But yet the kings sonne lord Thomas of Lancaster ar|rested him, and put him vnder safe kéeping in the Tower, till it were further knowne what order should be taken with him, and in the meane time were all his goods confiscate. The same time was Thomas Mowbraie earle marshall accused,The earle marshall accused. as pri|uie to the purpose of the duke of Yorke, touching the withdrawing of the earle of March his children, who confessed indéed that he knew of the dukes purpose: but yet in no wise gaue his consent therevnto, and therefore besought the king to be good and gratious lord vnto him for concealing the matter, and so he ob|teined pardon of that offense.