cily, Naples, and Jerusalem, descended from the count of Anjou,
brother of Charles V., who had left these magnificent titles, but
without any real power or possessions, to his posterity. This princess
herself was the most accomplished of her age, both in body and mind;
and seemed to possess those qualities which would equally qualify her
to acquire the ascendant over Henry, and to supply all his defects
and weaknesses. Of a masculine, courageous spirit, of an enterprising
temper, endowed with solidity as well as vivacity of understanding, she
had not been able to conceal these great talents even in the privacy
of her father's family; and it was reasonable to expect, that when
she should mount the throne, they would break out with still superior
lustre. The earl of Suffolk, therefore, in concert with his associates
of the English council, made proposals of marriage to Margaret, which
were accepted. But this nobleman, besides preoccupying the princess's
favor by being the chief means of her advancement, endeavored to
ingratiate himself with her and her family, by very extraordinary
concessions: though Margaret brought no dowry with her, he ventured of
himself, without any direct authority from the council, but probably
with the approbation of the cardinal and the ruling members, to engage,
by a secret article, that the province of Maine, which was at that time
in the hands of the English, should be ceded to Charles of Anjou, her
uncle,[*] who was prime minister and favorite of the French king, and
who had already received from his master the grant of that province as
his appanage.

The treaty of marriage was ratified in England: Suffolk obtained first
the title of marquis, then that of duke; and even received the thanks
of parliament for his services in concluding it.[**] The princess fell
immediately into close connections with the cardinal and his party, the
dukes of Somerset, Suffolk, and Buckingham;[***] who, fortified by her
powerful patronage, resolved on the final ruin of the duke of Glocester.

* Grafton, p. 590.

** Cotton, p. 630.

*** Holingshed, p. 626.

{1447.} This generous prince, worsted in all court intrigues, for which
his temper was not suited, but possessing in a high degree the favor of
the public, had already received from his rivals a cruel mortification,
which he had hitherto borne without violating public peace, but which
it was impossible that a person of his spirit and humani