Restoring Order
The Woodville's were now the most pressing issue for the Council to deal with. Firstly there was the question of what to do about the prisoners Rivers, Grey and Vaughan. Mancini reported that Richard pressed for their execution, but this accusation is not repeated in any other contemporary or near contemporary source. Considering that Mancini's main source at this time was from Woodville supporters. I must concur with the conclusion drawn by Matthew Lewis, that the purpose of the misinformation given by Mancini's source was to cast doubt on Richard's motives by shifting the focus from Woodville guilt onto Richard's reputation.
The facts are simply this, though the prisoners remained prisoners no other action was taken against them. Far from seeing any ominous changes in Richard's behaviour, we are seeing the beginning of a deliberate movement to undermine his actions and create doubt on his motives, the source of which is the Woodville's.
The Continued Problem of Elizabeth Woodville
Elizabeth Woodville's self imposed and prolonged stay in Westminster Sanctuary was another cause for concern, not only for the Council but also for the executors of Edward IV's will. There had been bequests to his children which could not be released while the children remained in the Sanctuary. Richard had made personal pleas for her to leave with pledges for her safety but his offers were either ignored or treated with derision. A Committee was quickly set up by the Council to negotiate with her and secure her agreement to leave with the offer of her own establishment and a pension. Good marriages for all the girls and a place at court. Richard of York would join the King's household. These too were met with derision and scorn. She liked her role as the frightened, ill-used widow too much to give it up easily. So the Committee made no more headway than Richard had. but they persisted.