“ Shore was greatly pleased at her conduct and more discourse had passed, but people coming into the shop about business, she retired.
The King soon arrived at court, where he had been missed by his nobles, soon changed his apparel, and came amongst them with a chearful countenance, and tho’ others were ignorant, Hastings well perceived where he had been and the satisfaction he had received, and no sooner were they in private, but the King said, Well Hastings, thou hast very good judgement in fine women: I have seen Shore’s wife, and she excels the praises you gave of her ”

“ Her power was so great with the King, that when his courtiers durst not intercede for the poor and miserable that lay under his displeasure, she, with her wit, would so abate his anger, that she saved the lives of very many, both poor and rich. ”

“ The wedding being over, and the bridegroom having enjoyed his charming bride, grew exceedingly fond of her, even to dotage, which sickened and pulled her love toward him, and he perceiving it, strove to wind himself more into her affections ”

“ Lord Hastings was not idle in promoting his master’s happiness, but 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 tho’ Mrs. Blague often left them alone, and the King courted her with all his rhetorick, yet she appeared averse to his love, and often blamed him sharply for persuading her to defile her husband’s bed, and then she would chide Mrs. Blague for suffering such a rude man to come to her house telling her the design he had on her chastity ”

“ 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 inquiry after her was over, and that she might return without any hazard of being any further tempted to lewdness. ”

“ Hastings smiling, immediately said Take no care for this shall be easy to your Majesty: 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 would make her do anything. ”

“ And both in London, and the progresses 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 ”