he common pretences, retaliation of similar
proscriptions, security for the actual government, or just punishment of
rebellion against a legitimate heir, there are several reputed instances
of violence and barbarity in the reign of Edward IV. which have not such
plausible excuses. Every one knows the common stories of the citizen who
was attainted of treason for an idle speech that he would make his son
heir to the crown, the house where he dwelt; and of Thomas Burdett, who
wished the horns of his stag in the belly of him who had advised the
king to shoot it. Of the former I can assert nothing, though I do not
believe it to be accurately reported. But certainly the accusation
against Burdett, however iniquitous, was not confined to these frivolous
words; which indeed do not appear in his indictment,[453] or in a
passage relative to his conviction in the roll of parliament. Burdett
was a servant and friend of the duke of Clarence, and sacrificed as a
preliminary victim. It was an article of charge against Clarence that he
had attempted to persuade the people that "Thomas Burdett his servant,
which was lawfully and truly attainted of treason, was wrongfully put to
death."[454] There could indeed be no more oppressive usage inflicted
upon meaner persons than this attainder of the duke of Clarence--an act
for which a brother could not be pardoned had he been guilty, and which
deepens the shadow of a tyrannical age, if, as it seems, his offence
toward Edward was but levity and rashness.

But whatever acts of injustice we may attribute, from authority or
conjecture, to Edward's government, it was very far from being
unpopular. His love of pleasure, his affability, his courage and beauty,
gave him a credit with his subjects which he had no real virtue to
challenge. This restored him to the throne, even against the prodigious
influence of Warwick, and compelled Henry VII. to treat his memory with
respect, and acknowledge him as a lawful king.[455] The latter years of
his reign were passed in repose at home after scenes of unparalleled
convulsions, and in peace abroad after more than a century of expensive
warfare. His demands of subsidy were therefore moderate, and easily
defrayed by a nation which was making rapid advances towards opulence.
According to Sir John Fortescue, nearly one fifth of the whole kingdom
had come to the king's hand by forfeiture at some time or other since
the commencement of his reign.[456] Many indeed o