ABSTRACT
A wondrous and fickle land is this, for it hath exiled, slain, destroyed, or ruined so many kings, rulers, and great men, and is ever tainted and toileth with strife, variance, and envy." The monasteries therefore were ordered to produce their chronicles, and send learned men to expound them before a committee of erudite doctors and bishops appointed to discuss Henry's claims and to arrange for the removal of Richard. For a time, perhaps, it was Jioped that the chronicles might prove the truth of a legend, which had been gaining credence of late, that the Lancastrian house represented the senior branch of Henry III's family. Henry's popularity was waning. He narrowly escaped death from an infernal machine with poisoned spikes, surreptitiously introduced into his bed, and, surer sign than all, men began to whisper that the late King was not dead.
