which had extremely
impoverished the crown,[*] this act, though it passed with some
exceptions, particularly one in favor of the earl of Warwick, gave
a general alarm to the nobility, and disgusted many, even zealous
partisans of the family of York.

But the most considerable associate that Warwick acquired to his party,
was George, duke of Clarence, the king's second brother. This prince
deemed himself no less injured than the other grandees, by the
uncontrolled influence of the queen and her relations; and as his
fortunes were still left upon a precarious footing, while theirs were
fully established, this neglect, joined to his unquiet and restless
spirit, inclined him to give countenance to all the malecontents.[**]
The favorable opportunity of gaining him was espied by the earl of
Warwick, who offered him in marriage his elder daughter, and coheir of
his immense fortunes; a settlement which, as it was superior to any that
the king himself could confer upon him, immediately attached him to the
party of the earl.[***] Thus an extensive and dangerous combination was
insensibly formed against Edward and his ministry. Though the immediate
object of the malecontents was not to overturn the throne, it was
difficult to foresee the extremities to which they might be carried:
and as opposition to government was usually in those ages prosecuted by
force of arms, civil convulsions and disorders were likely to be soon
the result of these intrigues and confederacies.

* W. Wyrcester, p. 508.

** W. Wyrcester, p. 511. Hall, fol. 200. Habington, p. 439.
Holingshed, p. 671. Polyd. Virg. p. 515.

*** Grafton. p. 873.

While this cloud was gathering at home, Edward carried his views abroad,
and endeavored to secure himself against his factious nobility, by
entering into foreign alliances. The dark and dangerous ambition of
Lewis XI., the more it was known, the greater alarm it excited among his
neighbors and vassals; and as it was supported by great abilities,
and unrestrained by any principle of faith or humanity, they found no
security to themselves but by a jealous combination against him. Philip,
duke of Burgundy, was now dead: his rich and extensive dominions were
devolved to Charles, his only son, whose martial disposition acquired
him the surname of Bold, and whose ambition, more outrageous than that
of Lewis, but seconded by less power and policy, was regarded with a
more favorable eye by the other po