The Illicit Fleet of Sir Edward Woodville

Of the problems currently caused by the actions of the Woodville's, the illicit fleet captained by Sir Edward Woodville, Lord Scales was the most pressing danger posed by the Woodville brood. But Richard, as Admiral of England, as well as Lord Protector was on familiar ground. With the full concurrence of the Council  he got to grips with it. News had reached them that the Woodville navy was anchored off the Downs. Like everything he had done so far, Richard aimed to resolve the issue peacefully. He began by offering full pardons to all soldiers and sailors manning the ships causing them to desert Scales en masse. 

Scales, Dorset (who had escaped sanctuary and was now in hiding) and the staunch Woodville adherent Robert Ratcliffe, were denounced publicly as enemies of the state, with a price placed on their heads.

On May 8th the council dispatched a party to take command of the fortifications on the Isle of White and at Portsmouth. Lord Cobham, a retainer of the Duke of Norfolk, was sent with a small force to Dover and Sandwich to ensure the ports were prepared against surprise attacks.

On May 10th Richard ordered Sir Thomas Fulford to rig them (the official ships) for Sea in all haste  and go down to the Downes, among Sir Edward's ships

On 14th May, Sir Edward Brampton, John Wells and Thomas Grey (not Dorset) were dispatched to go to sea with ships to take Scales. The result was that all but two of  the ships declared their allegiance to the King and the Protector. Unfortunately 

The two that did not surrender escaped taking Scales,his adherents and Edward IV's treasury to join Henry Tudor.