Richard has been accused of setting out from the start to usurp the Crown, but during the course of our study of the events of 1483 so far, there is no evidence for such accusations in his actions. He has also been accused of manipulating the decisions of the Council by filling it with his own supporters. So let us study his actions further, as he took his place on the Council and began to deal with the problems left by Edward IV and to restore order and confidence in the Government.

His first act, a strange one for a man who reputedly already had his eye  on the crown, was to  call an Assembly of  the Lords, Spiritual and Temporal, along with the city magistrates, and led them in a public ceremony to make their Oath of Allegiance to Edward V.

He then called for the First Council of the reign of Edward V to meet on the 10th May.

Setting up The King's Council

In sending out the summons' to the Council he did not exclude those who had previously supported the Woodville faction, The Lords had previously removed the Great Seal from Rotherham,  (who had given it  illicitly to Elizabeth Woodville), Richard rebuked him and he was replaced as Chancellor by John Russell, Bishop of Lincoln, but he retained his place upon the Council. Also retained were those who had served as advisor's and ministers under Edward IV. Sadly, this included Stanley, Hastings and Moreton among them. Some had their roles changed. As Rusell was made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal, his previous role as Keeper of the Privy Seal was transferred to Master John Gunthorpe, Dean of Wells, also a long-term member of Edward IV's Counci. John Wode, the former Soeaker of the Commons, was appointed Treasurer, having served as Under-treasurer under Edward IV. New additions included John Alcock, Bishop of Worcester, who had served Edward V as Tutor and President of the Ludlow Household when Prince of Wales. None of his personal  followers were made councillors at this time. 

Without exception, according to Crowland, "With the consent and goodwill of all the Lords" Richard was confirmed as Lord Protector and Defender of the Realm and Head of the council by the terms of Edward IV's will and by right of blood. Crowland goes on to say, " He (Richard)  was invested with the power to order and forbid in every matter, just like another King." His previous actions of arresting and imprisoning Rivers, Grey and Vaughan were approved and applauded for the lack of bloodshed

For his part Richard gave his assurance that he would be guided in all things by their decisions.

The transition from the old regime to the new was made as smoothly as possible.

The Council continued to meet over several days . In the following posts, the decisions of the Council and  Richard's actions will be assessed.