[1] [page 520] About Whitsuntide a conspiracie was deuised by certeine persons, that wished the kings death, main|teining and bruting abroad,

A brute was spred abroad that king Ri|chard was li|uing.

A priest takẽ.

that king Richard was aliue, and therefore exhorted men to stand with him, for shortlie he would come to light, and reward such as tooke his part with iust recompense. Herewith, there was a priest taken at Ware, or (as some books haue) at Warwike, who had a kalendar or roll, in which a great number of names were written, more than were in any wise guiltie of the fact, as after|wards appeared by the same priests confession. For being examined, whether he knew such persons as he had so inrolled, & were there present before him, he said he neuer knew them at all; and being deman|ded wherefore he had then so recorded their names, he answered, bicause he thought they would gladlie doo what mischiefe they could against king Henrie, vpon any occasion offered in reuenge of the iniuries doone to king Richard, by whom they had beene ad|uanced, and princelie preferred. When therfore there appeared no more credit in the man, he was condem|ned,He is execu|ted. drawen, hanged, and quartered, and diuerse that had beene apprehended about that matter, were re|leased,The prior of Laund appre|hended. and set at libertie. Shortlie after, the prior of Laund (who for his euill gouernment had béene de|priued of his state and dignitie) was likewise execu|ted, not for attempting any thing of himselfe, but on|lie for that he confessed, that he knew euill counsell and concealed it. His name was Walter Baldocke, a canon sometime in Dunstable, and by king Ri|chard promoted to the priorship of Laund.