n dowager in her sanctuary, carried the proposals to her, and
found that revenge for the murder of her brother and of her three sons,
apprehensions for her surviving family, and indignation against her
confinement, easily overcame all her prejudices against the house of
Lancaster, and procured her approbation of a marriage, to which the age
and birth, as well as the present situation of the parties, seemed so
naturally to invite them. She secretly borrowed a sum of money in
the city, sent it over to the earl of Richmond, required his oath to
celebrate the marriage as soon as he should arrive in England, advised
him to levy as many foreign forces as possible, and promised to join
him on his first appearance, with all the friends and partisans of her
family.

The plan being thus laid upon the solid foundations of good sense and
sound policy, it was secretly communicated to the principal persons of
both parties in all the counties of England; and a wonderful alacrity
appeared in every order of men to forward its success and completion.
But it was impossible that so extensive a conspiracy could be conducted
in so secret a manner, as entirely to escape the jealous and vigilant
eye of Richard; and he soon received intelligence, that his enemies,
headed by the duke of Buckingham, were forming some design against
his authority. He immediately put himself in a posture of defence,
by levying troops in the north; and he summoned the duke to appear at
court, in such terms as seemed to promise him a renewal of their
former amity. But that nobleman, well acquainted with the barbarity and
treachery of Richard, replied only by taking arms in Wales, and giving
the signal to his accomplices for a general insurrection in all parts of
England. But at that very time there happened to fall such heavy rains,
so incessant and continued, as exceeded any known in the memory of man;
and the Severn, with the other rivers in that neighborhood, swelled to
a height which rendered them impassable, and prevented Buckingham from
marching into the heart of England to join his associates. The Welshmen,
partly moved by superstition at this extraordinary event, partly
distressed by famine in their camp, fell off from him; and Buckingham,
finding himself deserted by his followers, put on a disguise, and took
shelter in the house of Banister, an old servant of his family. But
being detected in his retreat, he was brought to the king at Salisbury;
and was inst