Enters London

Edward V , escorted by his uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Lord Protector of the Realm, and Henry, Duke of Buckingham, entered London on 4th May to a rapturous welcome from the Londoners. Smiling and waving, the King and the two Dukes  acknowledged the crowds as they rode through the streets. Edward was formally welcomed by the Mayor and Aldermen.

Someway towards the rear of the King's entourage, a wagon, loaded with weapons, bearing the arms of  the Woodville brothers lumbered along, accompanied by  a  Cryer, who brought attention to the illicit weaponry and the threat which had been made to the life of the Protector.

Mancini, who witnessed the arrival of Edward V, confirmed that Richard was welcomed and his actions given approval by the people  although he would alter his opinions later, saying the display of the weapons aroused suspicion and that the display of weapons was a ruse to enable Richard to lay claim to the Crown. Mancini wrote "everyone knew" that the weapons had come from a secret store for the use against the Scots." This is nonsense, why should a cache of weapons intended to be used against the Scots be stored so far away from the Scottish border? Furthermore, there was no need to store weapons to be used against the Scots, for Richard himself had negotiated a truce with Scotland only months before?  

A meeting of the Council took place over several days. The Oath of fealty was sworn by all those present. It was decided that the King should be lodged at the Bishop of London's Palace prior to moving to the Tower in preparation for his Coronation which was set to take place on June 22nd.

We can always rely on Crowland to put a 'downer' on affairs. He reports that there was a great deal of anxiety concerning the arrests of 'the King's relatives' and servants as well as the fact that the Protector did not show sufficient consideration for the dignity and peace of  mind of the Queen!!  This particular passage from Crowland (there are more) would be laughable if it were not for the fact that it was used for over 500 years to taint Richard's reputation and motives.

We have followed step by step the sequence of events from the death of Edward IV. It has clearly been shown that by their own treasonous plotting the Woodville's were in a place of their own making. It was Richard's dignity and peace of mind that had been targeted by Queen  the Dowager and her infamous family.