o more boy kings. Parliament, therefore,
set aside the direct line of descent and accepted Henry. But the air
was full of tumultuous passion. The Lords were divided in their
allegiance, some stood by the former King, others by the new one. No
loess than forty noblemen challenged each other to fight, and civil
war seemed imminent.[1]

[1] J.F. Bright's "History of England," I, 276.

280. Conspiracy in favor of Richard.

The new King had hardly seated himself on the throne when a conspiracy
was discovered, having for its object he release and restoration of
Richard, still a prisoner in Pontefract Castle. The plot was easily
crushed. A month later Richard was found dead (S257).

Henry had his body brought up to London and exposed to public view in
St. Paul's Cathedral, in order that not only the people, but all
would-be conspirators might now see that Richard's hands could never
again wield the scepter.

There was, however, one man at least who refused to be convinced.
Owen Glendower, a Welshman, whom the late King had befriended,
declared that Richard was still living, and that the corpse exhibited
was not his body. Glendower prepared to maintain his belief by arms.
King Henry mustered a force with the intention of invading Wales and
crushing the rebel on his own ground; but a succession of terrible
tempests ensued.

The English soldiers got the idea that Glendower raised these storms,
for as an old chronicle declares: "Through art magike he [Glendower]
caused such foule weather of winds, tempest, raine, snow, and haile to
be raised for the annoiance of the King's armie, that the like had not
beene heard of."[2] For this reason the troops became disheartened,
and the King was obliged to postpone the expedition.

[2] Holinshed's "Chronicle."

281. Rovolt of the Percies; Bold Step of the House of Commons, 1407.

The powerful Percy family had been active in helping Henry to obtain
the throne,[3] and had spent large sums in defending the North against
invasions from Scotland.[4] They expected a royal reward for these
services, and were sorely disappointed because they did not get it.
As young Henry Percy said of the King:

"My father, and my uncle, and myself,
Did give him that same royalty he wears;
And,--when he was not six-and-twenty strong,
Sick in the world's regard, wretched and low,
A poor, unminded outlaw sneaking home,--
My father gave him we