[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.