The Road to Stony Stratford
As Richard departed York on 23rd April, he had with him a retinue of 300 men, all dressed in mourning for Edward IV. He was fully aware of what he may be facing, but he also knew that he had the legal right, and the power to deal with any situation which arose. According to Kendall "he was both naive and formidable. While a peaceful outcome to his task was preferable, if trouble came, he would know how to deal with it, he was both Lord Protector of the Realm and High Constable of England.
Northampton lay directly on Richard's route south. This was not the case for the young King, travelling with his maternal uncle, Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers. Journeying from Ludlow, they travelled south along Watling Street, which entailed a turn of to the east. If planning an ambush, this elbow in the road was a perfect place. They could gain an advantage here, as well as the closer proximity to London, if they diverted to Stony Stratford. They simply had to place armed guards in wait upon the road, Richard would have to travel to meet up with the King. Although it has generally been assumed that the King's party had travelled straight through Northampton without stopping, and Anthony Woodville had doubled back to meet Richard, that makes little sense. since they came to Stony Stratford first. Furthermore, the Woodville manor of Grafton Regis lay half way along this same road, so all preparations for an ambush would have taken place on Woodville turfe, with a safe place to stash a cache of weapons.
Buckingham travelled his own route.
Northampton Rendezvous
When Richard rode into Northampton on 28th April, he was the first to arrive. Anthony Woodville, having left the King and the majority of his force in Stony Stratford, arrived some time later in the day, he excused himself, claiming he was concerned that the town would be unable to cater for three large parties, so had though it wiser to move the King;s party a short way away in Stony Stratford. I doubt that Richard was taken in since Northampton had hosted several Parliaments in the past. Neither would the fact that Stony Stratford was 14 miles nearer to London have gone unnoticed. Still, if Rivers wanted to play at being friends, Richard was willing to play too. As they dined together that evening Richard was the perfect host and Rivers the perfect guest. As they bid each other goodnight and River's departed to his own lodging he had no idea that when morning came he would find himself a prisoner. Buckingham had not been present the evening before, having arrived early in the morning.