on of
resentment, which would have been overlooked or forgotten had it
fallen from any other person, was rendered criminal and capital in that
gentleman, by the friendship in which he had the misfortune to live with
the duke of Clarence; he was tried for his life; the judges and jury
were found servile enough to condemn him and he was publicly beheaded
at Tyburn for this pretended offence.[*] About the same time, one John
Stacey, an ecclesiastic, much connected with the duke as well as with
Burdet, was exposed to a like iniquitous and barbarous prosecution.
This clergyman, being more learned in mathematics and astronomy than
was usual in that age, lay under the imputation of necromancy with the
ignorant vulgar; and the court laid hold of this popular rumor to effect
his destruction. He was brought to his trial for that imaginary crime;
many of the greatest peers countenanced the prosecution by their
presence; he was condemned, put to the torture, and executed.[**]

The duke of Clarence was alarmed when he found these acts of tyranny
exercised on all around him: he reflected on the fate of the good duke
of Glocester, in the last reign, who, after seeing the most infamous
pretences employed for the destruction of his nearest connections,
at last fell himself a victim to the vengeance of his enemies. But
Clarence, instead of securing his own life against the present danger
by silence and reserve, was open and loud in justifying the innocence
of his friends, and in exclaiming against the iniquity of their
prosecutors.

{1478.} The king, highly offended with his freedom, or using that
pretence against him, committed him to the Tower,[***] summoned a
parliament, and tried him for his life before the house of peers, the
supreme tribunal of the nation.

The duke was accused of arraigning public justice, by maintaining the
innocence of men who had been condemned in courts of judicature, and or
inveighing against the iniquity of the king, who had given orders for
their prosecution.[****]

* Habington, p. 475. Holingshed, p. 703. Sir Thomas More in
Kennet, p. 498.

** Hist. Croyl. Cont. p. 561.

*** Hist Croyl. Cont. p. 562.

**** Stowe, p. 430.

Many rash expressions were imputed to him, and some, too, reflecting on
Edward's legitimacy; but he was not accused of any overt act of treason;
and even the truth of these speeches may be doubted of, since the
liberty of judgment was taken from the cou