as Shakespeare makes
him say, to lead a shepherd's life, watching his flocks, until the
peacefully flowing years should--

"Bring white hairs unto a quiet grave."[1]

[1] See Henry's soliloquy on the field of Towton, beginning,
"O God! methinks it were a happy life
To be no better than a homely swain."
Shakespeare's "Henry VI," Part III,
Act II, scene v

304. Summary.

The history of the peiod is one of loss to England. The brilliant
French conquests of Henry V (SS289, 290) slipped from the nerveless
hands of his son, leaving France practically independent. The
people's power to vote had been restricted (S297). The House of
Commons had ceased to be democratic even in a moderate degree. Its
members were all property holders elected by property holders (S297).
Cade's rebellion was the sign of political discontent and the
forerunner of civil war (S298).

The contests of the parties of the Red and White Roses drenched
England's fair fields with the best blood of her own sons. The reign
ends with King Henry in prison, Queen Margaret and Prince Edward
fugitives, and the Yorkist, Edward IV, placed on the throne by the
help of the powerful Earl of Warwick (S296).

Edward IV (House of York, White Rose)--1461-1483

305. Continuation of the War; Barnet; Death of Henry; Tewkesbury
(1471).

During the whole of Edward IV's reign (S303) the war went on with
varying success, but unvarying ferocity, until at last neither side
would ask or give quarter. Some years after the accession of the new
sovereign, the Earl of Warwick (S296) quarreled with him, thrust him
from the throne, and restored Henry VI (S303).

But a few months later, at the battle of Barnet, near London (1471),
Warwick, who was "the last of the great barons," was killed, and
Henry, who had been led back to the Tower of London again (S303), died
one of those "conveniently sudden deaths" which were then so common.

The heroic Queen Margaret (SS295, 303), however, would not give up the
contest in behalf of her son's claim to the crown. But fate was
against her. A few weeks after the battle of Barnet her army was
utterly defeated at Tewkesbury (1471), her son Edward slain, and the
Queen herself taken prisoner. (See map facing p. 172.)

She was eventually released on the payment of a large ransom, and
returned to France, where she died broken-hearted in h