Celebrated Claimants from Perkin Warbeck to Arthur Orton | Page 4

As for Simnel, when he was questioned, he revealed his
real parentage; and being deemed too contemptible to be an object
either of apprehension or resentment, Henry pardoned him, and made
him first a scullion in the royal kitchen, and afterwards promoted him
to the lofty position of a falconer.

PERKIN WARBECK--THE SHAM DUKE OF YORK.

Although Lambert Simnel's enterprise had miscarried, Margaret,
dowager-duchess of Burgundy, did not despair of seeing the crown of
England wrested from the House of Lancaster, and determined at least
to disturb King Henry's government if she could not subvert it. To this
end she sedulously spread abroad a report that Richard, duke of York,
the second son of Edward IV., had escaped the cruelty of his uncle
Richard III., and had been set at liberty by the assassins who had been
sent to despatch him. This rumour, although improbable, was eagerly
received by the people, and they were consequently prepared to
welcome the new pretender whenever he made his appearance.
After some search, the duchess found a stripling whom she thought had
all the qualities requisite to personate the unfortunate prince. This
youth is described as being "of visage beautiful, of countenance
majestical, of wit subtile and crafty; in education pregnant, in
languages skilful; a lad, in short, of a fine shape, bewitching behaviour,
and very audacious." The name of this admirable prodigy was Peterkin,
or Perkin Warbeck, and he was the son of John Warbeck, a renegade
Jew of Tournay. Some writers, and among others Lord Bacon, suggest
that he had certain grounds for his pretensions to royal descent, and
hint that King Edward, in the course of his amorous adventures, had
been intimate with Catherine de Faro, Warbeck's wife; and Bacon says
"it was pretty extraordinary, or at least very suspicious, that so wanton
a prince should become gossip in so mean a house." But be this as it
may, the lad was both handsome and crafty, and was well suited for the
part which he was destined to play.
Some years after his birth, the elder Warbeck returned to Tournay,
carrying the child with him; but Perkin did not long remain in the
paternal domicile, but by different accidents was carried from place to
place, until his birth and fortunes became difficult to trace by the most
diligent inquiry. No better tool could have been found for the ambitious
Duchess of Burgundy; and when he was brought to her palace, she at
once set herself to instruct him thoroughly with respect to the person
whom he was to represent. She so often described to him the features,
figures, and peculiarities of his deceased--or presumedly
deceased--parents, Edward IV. and his queen, and informed him so

minutely of all circumstances relating to the family history, that in a
short time he was able to talk as familiarly of the court of his pretended
father as the real Duke of York could have done. She took especial care
to warn him against certain leading questions which might be put to
him, and to render him perfect in his narration of the occurrences which
took place while he was in sanctuary with the queen, and particularly to
be consistent in repeating the story of his escape from his executioners.
After he had learnt his lesson thoroughly, he was despatched under the
care of Lady Brampton to Portugal, there to wait till the fitting time
arrived for his presentation to the English people.
At length, when war between France and England was imminent, a
proper opportunity seemed to present itself, and he was ordered to
repair to Ireland, which still retained its old attachment to the House of
York. He landed at Cork, and at once assuming the name of Richard
Plantagenet, succeeded in attracting many partizans. The news of his
presence in Ireland reached France; and Charles VIII., prompted by the
Burgundian duchess, sent him an invitation to repair to Paris. The
chance of recognition by the French king was too good to be idly cast
away. He went, and was received with every possible mark of honour.
Magnificent lodgings were provided for his reception; a handsome
pension was settled upon him; and a strong guard was appointed to
secure him against the emissaries of the English king. The French
courtiers readily imitated their master, and paid the respect to Perkin
which was due to the real Duke of York; and he, in turn, both by his
deportment and personal qualities, well supported his claims to a royal
pedigree. For a time nothing was talked of but the accomplishments,
the misfortunes, and the adventures of the young Plantagenet; and the
curiosity and credulity of England became thoroughly aroused by the
strange tidings which continued to arrive from France. Sir George
Nevill, Sir John Taylor, and many