Accession of Edward V and Usurption by Richard III

9th April 1483- Edward IV dies young

14th April 1483- New reaches Ludlow castle where Prince Edward is living

24th April 1483- The royal party leave Ludlow for London

30th April 1483- Earl Rivers visits Gloucester and Buckingham, when he leaves the two men agree to take action against the Woodvilles

1st May 1483- Gloucester arrests Rivers and his attendants, they are imprisoned in the north. Elizabeth flees for sanctuary with her children

4th May 1483- Edward V accompanied by Gloucester and Buckingham enters London. The Counsel confirm Gloucester as Protector

10th June 1483- Gloucester wrote to the authorities of York requesting armed men to assist him against the Woodvilles.

June 1483- Hastings was devoted to the children of Edward IV and comes to believe Gloucester has sinister ambitions, so he meets with a Counsel inc. John Morton, Bishop of Ely

13th June 1483- Gloucester moves against Hastings and set-up a so called Counsel meeting, attended by the conspirators, accused the men of plotting with the Woodvilles and Hastings of treason. Hastings was executed

16th June 1483- Friar Ralph Shaw delivered a sermon praising Gloucester and told of a pre-contract between Elizabeth Butler and Edward IV, making Edward V illegitimate and Richard the rightful heir

25th June 1483- Assembly of Lords and Commons meets and Buckingham presented a petition containing the evils of the Woodvilles accusing them of witchcraft and begging Gloucester to take the crown

26th June 1843- Buckingham read the petition to a large crowd of notables at Baynards castle. Gloucester was hailed as Richard III and he ceremoniously sat in the royal seat. His accession was formally dated from 26th June 1483