“We must increase security at the Tower in case he tries to capture the king,” Richard told the council in the Star Chamber two days later. “After all, until I relieved him of the post when he went into sanctuary, he had been constable of the Tower and thus is well known there. He will be seeking to join with his mother’s followers, so we must find him quickly. My lord Buckingham, I shall count on you to spread a net throughout the city.”

Whether Richard noticed the subdued demeanor of the members was doubtful given his heightened anxiety. With Hastings executed and Stanley, Morton, and Rotherham still in custody, the rest of the council members feared for their own safety and so watched Richard warily.

Surely of all the items needing discussion that day the pre-contract was the most important, and yet Richard hesitated to give it voice. Of those present only Harry, Howard, and Ratcliffe knew of it, although rumors were surely rife, but those three were loyal, and Richard decided it must wait. Before he could proclaim the news publicly, he was determined to make sure he had custody of the king’s younger brother in case of any insurrection following the announcement. He spoke slowly and deliberately hoping to sound in control. But Richard was far from being in control. In fact, he decided, his labored speech might easily have been mistaken for inebriation. He explained why it had been necessary to put Hastings to death, and although there were murmurings and surreptitious glances, no one dared interrupt the protector. The time was ripe for Richard to make his move.

“Regarding the preparations for the coronation,” he continued, more naturally now, “it is my certain belief that Edward cannot be crowned until Richard of York is retrieved from his mother. He is heir to the throne and must be under my protection. With the escape of Dorset, we cannot afford to take any chances with the boy. I am afraid we shall have to resort to force if necessary.”

Several members nodded, but Francis was perturbed. “Force, my lord? In sanctuary?”

“The archbishop assured me that because the boy is not there of his own volition nor has he done anything wrong to warrant his being there, it is within our legal right to remove him. It is not the way I would prefer to proceed, but if we want a coronation, we must secure the heir.” Richard’s tired back had begun to force his head forward, but to his audience it merely looked like bullheadedness. They stayed silent. After what had happened to the respected Hastings, who could blame them? “Sir John, I trust you can arrange to accompany the archbishop with an armed escort. Now, if you will excuse me, gentlemen.”