CHAP. IV - MURDER OF THE PRINCES AND REBELLION OF THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM

Summary

Delivery of the Great Seal, June 27

On the day after his accession, Richard gave the Great Seal again into the custody of the Bishop of Lincoln in one of the chambers of his mother, the Duchess of York's mansion, at Baynard's Castle, in the presence of the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Stanley, and a number of other noblemen and gentlemen. In this same mansion the crown had been formally tendered to him by the representatives of the nation; and now in this mansion he performed one of the most solemn acts at the commencement of his reign. If it be difficult under any circumstances to credit the story of Richard's defaming his mother, it seems particularly difficult when we consider that he was at this very time living in his mother's house. Yet the evidences of the fact leave scarcely any doubt that he really authorised the scandal. Next day he despatched instructions to Lord Mountjoy, the Governor of Calais, setting forth the grounds of his title, and requiring him to make the people swear allegiance to him and depart from their former oaths, made in ignorance to Edward V. He also sent messengers to Sir Ralph Hastings at Guisnes Castle.

To show all men the importance he attached to the administration of the laws, he entered the Court of King's Bench and there sat down in the seat of justice. He desired it to be understood that he would govern with mercy, and in token of this he proclaimed a general amnesty for all offences against himself.