been suddenly expelled by the irruption of the
French. Ferdinand died soon after, and left his uncle Frederick in full
possession of the throne.

CHAPTER XXVI.

HENRY VII.

{1495.} After Perkin was repulsed from the coast of Kent, he retired
into Flanders; but as he found it impossible to procure subsistence for
himself and his followers while he remained in tranquillity, he soon
after made an attempt upon Ireland, which had always appeared forward
to join every invader of Henry's authority. But Poynings had now put the
affairs of that island in so good a posture, that Perkin met with little
success; and being tired of the savage life which he was obliged to
lead, while skulking among the wild Irish, he bent his course towards
Scotland, and presented himself to James IV., who then governed that
kingdom. He had been previously recommended to this prince by the king
of France, who was disgusted at Henry for entering into the general
league against him; and this recommendation was even seconded by
Maximilian, who, though one of the confederates, was also displeased
with the king, on account of his prohibiting in England all commerce
with the Low Countries. The countenance given to Perkin by these princes
procured him a favorable reception with the king of Scotland, who
assured him, that, whatever he were, he never should repent putting
himself in his hands:[*] the insinuating address and plausible behavior
of the youth himself, seem to have gained him credit and authority.
James, whom years had not yet taught distrust or caution, was seduced to
believe the story of Perkin's birth and adventures; and he carried his
confidence so far as to give him in marriage the lady Catharine Gordon,
daughter of the earl of Huntley, and related to himself; a young lady
too, eminent for virtue as well as beauty.

* Bacon, p. 615. Polyd. Virg. p. 596, 597.

{1496.} There subsisted at that time a great jealousy between the courts
of England and Scotland; and James was probably the more forward on that
account to adopt any fiction which he thought might reduce his enemy
to distress or difficulty. He suddenly resolved to make an inroad into
England, attended by some of the borderers; and he carried Perkin along
with him, in hopes that the appearance of the pretended prince might
raise an insurrection in the northern counties. Perkin himself dispersed
a manifesto, in which he set forth his own story, and craved the
as