prince, swayed their husbands and friends in his
favor;[**] and above all, the archbishop of York, Warwick's brother,
to whom the care of the city was committed, had secretly, from unknown
reasons, entered into a correspondence with him; and he facilitated
Edward's admission into London.

* Comines, liv. iii. chap. 6.

** Comines, liv. iii. chap. 7.

The most likely cause which can be assigned for those multiplied
infidelities, even in the family of Nevil itself, is the spirit of
faction, which, when it becomes inveterate, it is very difficult for
any man entirely to shake off. The persons who had long distinguished
themselves in the York party, were unable to act with zeal and
cordiality for the support of the Lancastrians; and they were inclined,
by any prospect of favor or accommodation offered them by Edward, to
return to their ancient connections. However this may be, Edward's
entrance into London made him master not only of that rich and powerful
city, but also of the person of Henry, who, destined to be the perpetual
sport of fortune, thus fell again into the hands of his enemies.[*]

It appears not that Warwick, during his short administration, which had
continued only six months, had been guilty of any unpopular act, or had
anywise deserved to lose that general favor with which he had so lately
overwhelmed Edward. But this prince, who was formerly on the defensive,
was now the aggressor; and having overcome the difficulties which always
attend the beginnings of an insurrection, possessed many advantages
above his enemy: his partisans were actuated by that zeal and courage
which the notion of an attack inspires his opponents were intimidated
for a like reason; every one who had been disappointed in the hopes
which he had entertained from Warwick's elevation, either became a cool
friend or an open enemy to that nobleman; and each malecontent,
from whatever cause, proved an accession to Edward's army. The king,
therefore, found himself in a condition to face the earl of Warwick;
who, being reenforced by his son-in-law the duke of Clarence, and
his brother the marquis of Montague, took post at Barnet, in the
neighborhood of London. The arrival of Queen Margaret was every day
expected, who would have drawn together all the genuine Lancastrians,
and have brought a great accession to Warwick's forces: but this very
consideration proved a motive to the earl rather to hurry on a decisive
action than to sh