In the same summer occurred a rising in Yorkshire, possibly instigated by Warwick.[5] The malcontents, sixty thousand strong, declared that the king was giving ear to base counsellors and must be coerced into better ways.  An attempt to suppress this revolt by the royal troops resulted in a pitched battle where Earl Rivers, the father of Elizabeth Woodville, the young queen, was taken prisoner and beheaded.

Edward, baffled, finally turned for aid to Warwick.  Over the Channel hastened the earl and his new son-in-law, levied troops, met the king at Olney, and—­Edward found himself if not exactly a prisoner, at least under restraint.  Two sovereigns—­both without power even over their own actions,—­such was the situation in England at the end of 1469, when Charles of Burgundy was self-complacently regarding Louis XI. as a foe convinced of his own inferiority.

A menacing letter from this redoubtable ducal brother-in-law was probably the reason why Edward IV. was set at liberty, and why a reconciliation was patched up between him and his councillor, with full pardon for Warwick’s adherents.  But it was short-lived.  A fresh outbreak in March, 1470, made another change.  Warwick and Clarence sided with the rebels, the king was victorious, and his unfaithful friend and brother were again forced to flee under a shower of menaces hurled after them.

“But, and He [Clarence] or Richart Erle of Warrewyk our Rebell and Traytour come into oure seid Land we woll ... that ye doo Hym and Theym to be arrested ...  He that Taketh and Bryngeth unto Us either of theym, he shal have for his Reward C._l_ of Land in Yerely Value to Hym and to his Heyres or Mil. Lib in Redy money at his election."[6]

Such was the proclamation issued on March 22d by the king himself at York.

Between Edward and Charles a new link had just been forged in the chain of friendship.  The Order of the Garter is thus acknowledged by the duke: 

“We have to-day received from our much honoured seigneur and brother, the king of England, his Order of the Garter together with the mantle and other ornaments and things appertaining to the said Order and have ... taken the oath according to the statutes of the Order.

    “Done in our city of Ghent under our Grand Seal, February 4, 1469
    [O.S.]."[7]

Now it was in consideration of needs that might arise in the near future, following on the trail of these wide-reaching English convulsions, that Charles felt it necessary to make preparations for a strong military defence calculated to suit any emergency.  Louis XI. had a permanent force at his command.  He had made the beginning of the French standing army, the nucleus of one of those bodies that have ever since urged each other on to expensive growth from opposite sides of European frontiers.  What one monarch possessed that must his near neighbour have.