oper means
of effecting his daring purpose. He first extorted a resignation from
Richard;[*] but as he knew that this deed would plainly appear the
result of force and fear, he also purposed, notwithstanding the danger
of the precedent to himself and his posterity, to have him solemnly
deposed in parliament for his pretended tyranny and misconduct. A
charge, consisting of thirty-three articles, was accordingly drawn up
against him, and presented to that assembly.[**]

If we examine these articles, which are expressed with extreme acrimony
against Richard, we shall find that, except some rash speeches, which
are imputed to him,[***] and of whose reality, as they are said to
have passed in private conversation, we may reasonably entertain some
doubt,--the chief amount of the charge is contained in his violent
conduct during the two last years of his reign, and naturally divides
itself into two principal heads. The first and most considerable is the
revenge which he took on the princes and great barons who had formerly
usurped, and still persevered in controlling and threatening his
authority; the second is the violation of the laws and general
privileges of his people. But the former, however irregular in many of
its circumstances, was fully supported by authority of parliament, and
was but a copy of the violence which the princes and barons themselves,
during their former triumph, had exercised against him and his party.
The detention of Lancaster's estate was, properly speaking a revocation,
by parliamentary authority, of a grace which the King himself had
formerly granted him. The murder of Glocester (for the secret execution,
however merited, of that prince certainly deserves this appellation) was
a private deed formed not any precedent, and implied not any usurped
or arbitrary power of the crown which could justly give umbrage to the
people. It really proceeded from a defect of power in the king, rather
than from his ambition; and proves that, instead of being dangerous to
the constitution, he possessed not even the authority necessary for the
execution of the laws.

* Knyghton, p. 2744. Otterborne, p. 212.

** Tyrrel, vol. iii. part ii. p. 1008, from the records,
Knyghton, p, 2746. Otterborne, p. 214.

*** Art 16, 26.

Concerning the second head of accusation, as it mostly consists of
general facts, was framed by Richard's inveterate enemies, and was never
allowed to be answered by him or h