quoted
biographers. It is chiefly useful to modern readers as
illustrating the ideas and the manners of the times.

We often, in this series, thus repeat narratives which have
come down from ancient times, and have thus become part and
parcel of the literature of the period, and, as such, ought
to be made known to the general reader, but which, at the
present day, are not supposed to be historically true. In
such cases, however, we intend always to give notice of the
fact. In the absence of such notice, the reader may feel sure
that all the statements in these narratives, even to the
minutest details, are in strict accordance with the testimony
of the best authorities now extant.]

[Sidenote: Treason.]

[Sidenote: Romance often mingles in history.]

[Sidenote: An explanation.]

Nothing, however, was said, in calling the Parliament, of the great
and exciting business which was to be brought before them. So great
was the power of such a man as Gloucester, that any open attempt to
arrest him would have been likely to have been met with armed
resistance, and might have led at once to civil war.

One of the charges against him was that he was intriguing with the
Duke of York, the representative and heir of the two other branches of
old King Edward the Third's family, who has already been mentioned as
claiming the throne. It was said that Gloucester was secretly
plotting with Richard, with a view of deposing Henry, and raising
Richard to the throne in his stead.

[Sidenote: Question of succession.]

The question of the succession was really, at this time, in a very
curious state. The Duke of Gloucester himself was Henry's heir in case
he should die without children; for Gloucester was Henry's oldest
uncle, and, of course, in default of his descendants, the crown would
go back to him. This was one reason, perhaps, why he had opposed
Henry's marriage.

[Sidenote: Position of the Duke of York.]

So long, therefore, as Henry remained unmarried, it was for
Gloucester's interest to maintain the rights of his branch of the
family--that is, the Lancaster line--against the claims of the house
of York. But in case Henry should have children, then he would be cut
off from the succession on the Lancaster side, and then it might be
for his interest to espouse the cause of the house of York, provided
he could make bette