york00orns

RICHARD SCROPE. 191
Castle, which still survives in almost uninjured massiveness
on the northern ridge of VVensleydale, destined
in after years to have a romantic interest attaching
to it from its connection with the eventful history of
Mary Queen of Scots. In more settled times Archbishop
Scrope would have left behind him the
reputation of a blameless prelate, for he was learned,
charitable, and devout, humble-minded, courteous,
and affable to all. But in his political relations his
conduct was ill-advised, to say the least, if not
deserving a harsher epithet. When Richard II.
formally renounced the crown in 1399, the Archbishop
of York was one of the proctors whom he appointed
to present to the parliament a written form in which he
absolved his people from all allegiance to him, a
document which was signed by his own hand. The
deposition of Richard was agreed to. Henry of
Lancaster then rose and claimed the crown by virtue
of his descent in the right line from Henry III. The
assent of the estates was at once given, and Henry of
Lancaster was led to the throne by Archbishop
Arundel, assisted by Archbishop Scrope. But in 1405
great disaffection to Henry prevailed. Preparations
for a rising were made in the north by the Earl of
Northumberland and Mowbray the Earl Marshal.
In an evil hour for himself Archbishop Scrope was
induced to join them. Articles of indictment were
promulgated by them against the king, in which he
was described as Henry of Derby, charging him with
being a usurper and a traitor, with complicity in the
murder of Richard, and with various acts which had
caused distress and misery to the nation at large.