[1] One writer, which seemeth to haue great know|ledge of king Richards dooings, Thom Walsin. Sir Piers de Exton a mur|therer of king Richard. saith, that king Henrie, sitting on a daie at his table, sore sighing, said;

Haue I no faithfull fréend which will deliuer me of him, whose life will be my death, and whose death will be the preseruation of my life?

This saieng was much noted of them which were present, and especial|lie of one called sir Piers of Exton. This knight in|continentlie departed from the court, with eight strong persons in his companie, and came to Pom|fret, commanding the esquier that was accustomed to sew and take the assaie before king Richard, to doo so no more, saieng;

Let him eat now, for he shall not long eat.

King Richard sat downe to dinner, and was serued without courtesie or assaie, wherevpon much maruelling at the sudden change, he demanded of the esquier whie he did not his dutie;

Sir (said he) I am otherwise commanded by sir Piers of Exton, which is newlie come from K. Henrie.

When king Richard heard that word, he tooke the keruing knife in his hand, and strake the esquier on the head, saieng The diuell take Henrie of Lancaster and thée togi|ther. And with that word, sir Piers entred the cham|ber, well armed, with eight tall men likewise armed, euerie of them hauing a bill in his hand.