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120 THE STORY OF A TAX.<br />

surprising to find all his popularityconverted so quickly<br />

into the greatestodium, which led the very persons whom<br />

he had benefited in every possible way to commit<br />

ungrateful excesses culminatinginhis murder.<br />

From everypart of the surroundingcountry came pouringinto<br />

Thirsk bandsof rough woldsmen,who, incited by<br />

leaders, wore white roses in their hats, and were wrought<br />

up to a high pitch of excitementby the harangues of one<br />

of their demagogues who addressed the congregated<br />

crowds from the Market Cross. Inanintemperate though<br />

eloquent address, he drew a vivid picture of the wrongs<br />

to which they were subjected by the infamous tax, and<br />

more than hinted that the Earl of Northumberlandwas<br />

the prime cause of the levy. The insinuation found an<br />

echo in the thought of the multitude. It passed from one<br />

to another with such variations and additions that it<br />

became received as a stated truth, until the rage of the<br />

crowd breaking beyond all restraint, they shouted with<br />

ferocious vehemence, " A boon for the head of Percy!<br />

A boon for the head of Percy!" The incensed passions<br />

of the rabble found animmediatevent in the destruction<br />

of the beautiful stained-glass window which bore the<br />

Percy arms in the Church of St. Columbs, of which the<br />

fragments were thrown to the winds. TheMarket Cross,<br />

also the gift of the Percys, and from which the denunciatory<br />

speech was made, was levelled with the ground.<br />

This done, " To the Castle!" was thecry, and the infuriated<br />

mob swept in the direction ofthe " Maiden Bower."<br />

In the meantime Northumberland remained alone,<br />

except for his servants,in the Castle. The Countess of<br />

Northumberlandwas at SpofforthCastle withherchildren,<br />

and from that place she had sent Lord Rivers and Lord<br />

Pembroke, entreating him to abandon the Manor House<br />

and join her at Spofforth until the popular tumult had<br />

subsided, but in vain. He expressed his unshakable<br />

resolve to remain at his seat, be the consequences what<br />

they might, being of such a proud spirit that he could<br />

not bear to turn his back in flight upon his base and<br />

J

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