XXVI. Jane Shore. .....................................................................................................
Though so many vulgar errors have prevailed concerning this celebrated
courtesan, no character in history has been more perfectly handed down to us. We
have her portrait drawn by two masterly pens: the one has delineated the features of
her person, the other those of her character and story. Sir Thomas More drew from the
life, and Drayton has copied an original picture of her. The reader will pardon the
length of the quotations, as they serve to correct many popular mistakes relating to her
catastrophe. The first is from Sir Thomas More's History of Richard III, written in
1513, about thirty years after the death of Edward IV.
"Now then by and by, as it wer for anger, not for covetise, the protector sent
into the house of Shores wife (for her husband dwelled not with her) and spoiled her
of al that ever she had (above the value of two or three thousand marks), and sent her
body to prison. And when he had a while laide unto her, for the manner sake, that she
went about to bewitch him, and that she was of counsel with the lord chamberlein to
destroy him: in conclusion, when that no colour could fasten upon these matters, then
he layd heinously to her charge the thing that herselfe could not deny, that al the
world wist was true, and that natheles every man laughed at to here it then so sodainly
so highly taken -- that she was naught of her body. And for thys cause (as a goodly
continent prince, clene and fautless of himself, sent oute of heaven into this vicious
world for the amendment of mens maners) he caused the bishop of London to put her
to open pennance, going before the crosse in procession upon a Sonday with a taper in
her hand. In which she went in countenance and pace demure so womanly; and albeit
she was out of al array save her kyrtle only, yet went she so fair and lovely, namelye,
while the wondering of the people caste a comly rud in her chekes (of which she
before had most misse) that her great shame wan her much praise among those that
were more amorous of her body, than curious of her soule. And many good folke also,
that hated her living, and glad wer to se sin corrected, yet pittied thei more her
penance than rejoiced therin, when thei considred that the protector procured it more
of a corrupt intent, than any virtuous affection.
"This woman was born in London, worshipfully frended, honestly brought up,
and very wel maryed, saving somewhat to soone; her husband an honest citizen,
yonge, and goodly, and of good substance. But forasmuche as they were coupled ere
she wer wel ripe, she not very fervently loved, for whom she never longed; which was
happely the thinge, that the more easily made her encline unto the king's appetite,
when he required her. Howbeit the respect of his royaltie, the hope of gay apparel,
ease, plesure, and other wanton welth, was able soone to perse a soft tender hearte.
But when the king had abused her, anon her husband (as he was an honest man, and
one that could his good not presuming to touch a kinges concubine) left her up to him
al together. When the king died, the lord chamberlen [Hastings] toke her:[1] which in
the kinges daies, albeit he was sore enamoured upon her, yet he forbare her, either for
reverence, or for a certain friendly faithfulness.
"Proper she was, and faire: nothing in her body that you wold have changed,
but if you would have wished her somewhat higher. Thus say thei that knew her in her
youthe. Albeit some thatnow see her (for yet she liveth)deme her never to have bene
wel visaged: whose jugement seemeth me somewhat like, as though men should gesse
the bewty of one longe before departed, by her scalpe taken out of the charnel-house;
for now is she old, lene, withered, and dried up, nothing left but ryvilde skin and hard