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EDWARD IV. 325
changes of dynasty. Archbishop Bouchier was
descended from the youngest son of Edward III.,
and consequently of royal blood. His part seems
to have been one of conciliation. He was himself a
Yorkist, yet, as long as he could, he maintained
loyalty to King Henry. The situation was, in fact,
one which might have puzzled a subtle casuist. The
White Bose had the prior claim, and on the death of
Richard, Duke of York, its representative was a
young man in the pride and strength of youth. The
Bed Rose had been more than half-a-centurv
V
in
possession, but its crown was worn by a king incapable,
through illness, of personal government.
Kdward of York had not Henry's ardent piety, nor
his domestic virtues, yet he was the man to grapple
with difficulties that baffled weaker organisations.
A compromise was etfected (1460) through the
instrumentality of Archbishop Bouchier, by which
it was agreed that Henry was to hold the crown for
his life, and to be succeeded by the Duke of York.
I'nder ordinary circumstances it might possibly
have been carried out, but Henry was subject to
periodical attacks of a malady which affected his
mind. This, and the fortunes of war, were
against him, and when, in 1461, Edward, no
longer contented with the title of protector,
aimed at the throne, Bouchier made no dimcul-
ties about crowning him. The attitude of Pius
II., on learning Edward's accession, was studiously
cautious. He had always favoured Henry.