These accounts, exaggerated and distorted as they inevitably must have
been, may yet, in the absence of more authentic testimony, afford a
pretty accurate glimpse at the real nature of those events, however they
may have been disguised by fiction and misstatement. Where tradition is
our only guide we must follow implicitly, satisfied that her taper was
lighted at the torch of Truth, though it may gleam doubtfully and
partially through the mists and errors of succeeding ages.
One source from whence we have derived some information, though well
known to the comparative few who have explored these by-paths of
history, may not be thought uninteresting to the general reader,
especially as it is connected with the most eventful portion of our
narrative.
An ancient metrical account of the Stanleys, Earls of Derby, is
contained in some uncouth rhymes, written about the year 1562, by
Thomas Stanley, Bishop of Sodor and Man,[12] and son of that Sir Edward
Stanley, who, for his valour at Flodden, was created Lord Monteagle.
There are two copies of these verses in the British Museum: one amongst
Cole's papers (vol. xxix.
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