“ Edward and Richard, and several daughters, all lawfully begotten, by the Queen, quarrelled with Lord Hastings, who after the death of the King, had taken Jane Shore for his concubine, as now free, because he would not assist him in his wicked project of making away with his two nephews, whom he afterwards caused to be murdered in the tower, alledging that the Queen and Shore’s wife had bewitched him, shewing his withered arm, which all knew had been so from his cradle. ”

“ Lord Hastings was not idle in promoting his master’s happiness, and with gifts and large promises soon made the lace woman pliable, so that many meetings were made at her house, the king coming in disguise as her friend, and though Mrs Blague often left them alone and the King courted her with all his rhetoric, yet she appeared averse to his love, and often blamed him sharply for persuading her to defile her husband’s bed ”

“ And coming into Shore’s shop, then the richest in Lombard street, he found the good man employed in his business; and, waiting till he was a little at leisure, he desired to see some plate, which being shewn him, he, under a pretence of carrying it beyond sea, soon agreed for a considerable quantity.—But yet no wife appeared, which made him delay the time with discourse, of what was then transacting in England and places abroad, where, he said, he had travelled. ”

“ So when some other healths had passed, the King asked if there was not a mistress to so fair a house? otherwise he could help him to a wife, rich and beautiful.
For this offer, Shore thanked him, but told him he was already married to such a one as he described, whom he loved extremely. This discourse made the King more desirous to see her ere he departed, and asked if he could not have a sight of her. Shore little thinking that was intended for his ruin, and proud of his wife’s beauty, soon yielded to his request, and ordered her to be called down ”

“ This Lord being chamberlain to Edward the fourth, having frequently his ear, and finding he was much inclined to lady Elizabeth Gray, took an opportunity to tell him of Jane’s beauty, extolling her wit above her features, which made the King hearken, to this new adventure, and he resolved to go to Shore’s shop in disguise to see her.
The King whose thoughts still run on his intended mistress, delayed not long to pay her a visit ”

“ When she grew to the age of fifteen, her competent stock of beauty and good carriage, caused many to fall in love with her, and some great Lords fixed their eyes upon her, to get her for a mistress, which her father perceiving, sent her to his sister at Northampton, where she remained about a year, till he supposed the enquiry after her was over, and that she might return without any hazard of being any further tempted to lewdness. ”

“ Her father perceiving that, unless he took some speedy course, her great stock of beauty would be her ruin, resolved to marry her, so that having surrendered her Virginity, and being in the arms of a husband, those that sought to crop her Virgin Rose would not regard her, but give over their pursuit. ”

“ Fine feathers make fine birds; and if the birds are fine without them, doubtless they make them so doubly.
This lovely woman was the delight of her father, who clothed her richly, adorned her with jewels ”

“ Hastings smiling, immediately said, Take no care, for this shall be easy to your Highness, there is one Mrs Blague, your lace woman, has a house pretty near Shore’s, and is very intimate with his wife—this woman is very fond of money, to such a degree that it would make her do any thing. Her will I engage in this matter, and trust me she will soon bring it to pass to your satisfaction—The King liked this advance, and it was agreed that he should see her at this Mrs Blague’s and have freedom to court her ”

“ And both in London and the progress she made in the country, she would cause poor people to be sought for, and relieve their necessities, inducing and persuading others, who expected any good offices from the King, by her means, to do the same, never selling her favours ”