" Terrified,
he flew back into the wood, but was immediately followed; and again his
evil destiny seemed to prevail. He took another path, which led him back
to the ford. Here he crossed, and, whilst leaping with difficulty over
the stones, the pursuers came in full view. Having gained the Lancashire
side, he fled into the wood, but his enemies were now too close upon him
for escape, and the royal captive was taken, bound, and conveyed to
Bashall. Many cruel indignities were heaped upon him; and he was
conveyed to London in the most piteous plight, on horseback, with his
legs tied to the stirrups. Ere he departed, it is said that he delivered
a singular prediction--to wit, that nine generations of the Talbot
family, in succession, should consist of a wise and a weak man by turns,
after which the name should be lost.
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES:
[54] Whitaker's _Craven_.
[55] Pennant.
[56] _Hist. Whalley_.
[57] Webster, in his _Metallographia_, mentions a field called Skilhorn,
in the township of Rivington-within-Craven, "belonging to one Mr Pudsay,
an ancient esquire, and owner of Bolton Hall, juxta Bolland; who, in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, did get good store of silver-ore, and convert
it to his own use, or rather coined it, as many do believe, there being
many shillings marked with an escallop, which the people of that country
call Pudsay shillings to this day.
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