The history of Jane Shore receives new illustration from the following letter of
King Richard III. which is preserved in the Harl. MSS. number 433, article 2378, but
of which the copy transmitted to the Editor has been reduced to modern orthography,
&c. It is said to have been addressed to Russel Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Chancellor,
anno 1484.
By the KING.
"Right Reverend Father in God, &c. signifying unto you, that it is shewn unto
us, that our servant and solicitor, Thomas Lynom, marvellously blinded and abused
with the late wife of William Shore, now living in Ludgate by our commandment,
hath made contract of matrimony with her, as it is said, and intendeth to our full great
marvel, to effect the same. WE, for many causes, would be sorry that he should be so
disposed; pray you therefore to send for him, and in that ye goodly may, exhort, and
stir him to the contrary: and if ye find him utterly set for to marry her, and none
otherwise would be advertised, then, if it may stand with the laws of the church, we
be content the time of marriage be deferred to our coming next to London; that upon
sufficient surety found of her good abearing, ye do so send for her keeper, and
discharge him of our said commandment, by warrant of these, committing her to the
rule and guiding of her father, or any other, by your direction, in the mean season.
Given, &c.
"RIC. Rex."
It appears from two articles in the same manuscript, that King Richard had
granted to the said Thomas Linom the office of King's Solicitor (article 134), and also
the manor of Colmeworth, corn. Bedf. to him and his heirs male (article 596).
An original picture of Jane Shore almost naked is preserved in the Provost's
Lodgings at Eton; and another picture of her is in the Provost's Lodge at King's
College, Cambridge: to both which foundations she is supposed to have done friendly
offices with Edward IV. A small quarto mezzotinto print was taken from the former
of these by J. Faber.
The following ballad is printed, with some corrections, from an old black-
letter copy in the Pepys Collection. Its full title is, "The woefull lamentation of Jane
Shore, a goldsmith's wife in London, sometime King Edward IV. his concubine. To
the tune of 'Live with me,' &c.To every stanza is annexed the following burthen:
Then maids and wives in time amend,
For love and beauty will have end.IF Rosamonde that was so faire,
Had cause her sorrowes to declare,
Then let Jane Shore with sorrowe sing,
That was beloved of a king.
In maiden yeares my beautye bright
Was loved dear of lord and knight;
But yet the love that they requir'd,
It was not as my friends desir'd.
My parents they, for thirst of gaine,
A husband for me did obtaine;
And I, their pleasure to fulfille,
Was forc'd to wedd against my wille.