The names of such individuals as figure in the story are printed in small capitals in the Appendix to assist identification. Where authorities are given within brackets for dates, either the dates are (to my knowledge) hitherto unpublished, or they are corrections from first-class authorities of incorrect dates usually given.
It may interest some readers to see the exact terms of the oath taken on a man’s return to his allegiance, as recorded upon the Close Roll for 1469.
"Sovereign Lord, I, Herry Percy, becom your subgette and liegeman, and promyt to God and you that hereafter of faith and trouth shall bear to you, as to my sovereign liege lord, and to your heirs, Kings of England, of life and limb and of erthlye worship, for to live and die ayenst all earthly people; and to you and to your commandments I shall be obeisant, as God me help and his holy evangelists."
For a man to swear this unconditional oath was styled "putting himself in the King’s mercy."
While these pages were passing through the press, I discovered an entry on the first part of the Patent Roll for 1 Ric. III., which, if one quarter of its statements be true, shows Dorset to have been one of the vilest men that ever walked the earth. One offence in particular, of which all the chroniclers accuse Lord Hastings (a most unlikely man), is there distinctly charged upon Dorset, while Hastings is not even mentioned in connection with the subject. The pardon issued on the coronation of Richard III. excepted Dorset on the ground of his disgraceful character.
I. Imogen: A TALE OF THE EARLY BRITISH CHURCH.
II. Behind the Veil: A STORY OF THE NORMAN CONQUEST.
III. One Snowy Night; OR, LONG AGO AT OXFORD.
IV. Lady Sybil's Choice: A TALE OF THE CRUSADES.
V. Earl Hubert's Daughter; OR, THE POLISHING OF THE PEARL.
VI. In all Time of our Tribulation: THE STORY OF PIERS GAVESTONE.
VII. The White Lady of Hazelwood: THE WARRIOR COUNTESS OF MONTFORT.
VIII. Countess Maud; OR, THE CHANGES OF THE WORLD.
IX. In Convent Walls: THE STORY OF THE DESPENSERS.
X. John De Wycliffe, AND WHAT HE DID FOR ENGLAND.
XI. The Lord Mayor: A TALK OF LONDON IN 1384.
XII. Under One Sceptre: THE STORY OF THE LORD OF THE MARCHES
XIII. The White Rose of Langley; OR, THE STORY OF CONSTANCE LE DESPENSER.