Richard was pleased to see the earl, who had played such a vital role in putting a Yorkist king upon the throne. He was known to prefer the north of England, and had even been absent for the coronation while he helped put down small rebellions north of the River Tweed.

“An auspicious occasion, n’est pas?” Warwick’s familiar bark no longer frightened Richard, and he nodded earnestly and replied, “Aye, my lord.”

“Your Grace, my lords, ladies….we are here to bestow the highest honor in our kingdom on our beloved Richard Plantagenet. From henceforth, he shall be known as Richard, duke of Gloucester, and shall receive all the benefices due to the holder of that noble name.” An usher came forward with a velvet cushion on which lay a silver collar bearing a heavy badge emblazoned with the royal arms of the kingdom, differenced by a bordure argent. Richard was glad to see his other Neville cousin, bishop of Exeter and Edward’s chancellor, approach the dais to bless the collar. “In nomine patris, filii et spiritus sancti” the bishop began, and all present crossed themselves.

Richard worried if he were old enough or wise enough to take on this great responsibility. No one had schooled him in what it meant to be a duke of a large area of the country with which he was not even familiar, but he knew he was every bit as capable as George. Besides, George’s new title had not seemed to change anything about his brother’s life yet—except make him more annoying—and so Richard assumed he would eventually learn what was required of him when he became a man. He bent his head as Warwick slowly placed the heavy collar over his shoulders and then solemnly grasped Richard’s hand.

The earl turned back to the assembled court and in a loud voice cried, “Let me present to you his grace, the duke of Gloucester. God give him the strength to govern well.”

When the trumpet fanfare’s echo died, the hairs on Richard’s neck prickled as he found himself moved beyond measure by this great moment in his life. He vowed to be faithful to God and true to Edward forever and always.

If Richard expected his life to change in that moment, he was to be bitterly disappointed. When would he be sent away to begin his knightly training, he wondered month after tedious month. It may have been named for the beauty of its gardens and aspect, but the Palace of Pleasaunce, as Greenwich was called, became synonymous with a luxurious prison for the young impatient Richard. What’s the use of being a royal duke if I don’t even know how to defend myself, let alone my people? he silently grumbled.