arble
monument by orders of King Charles.[**] Perhaps Richard's chaplain had
died before he found an opportunity of executing his master's commands;
and the bodies being supposed to be already removed, a diligent search
was not made for them by Henry in the place where they had been buried.

* Sir Thomas More, p. 501.

** Kennet, p. 551.

CHAPTER XXIII.

[Illustration: 1_301_richard3.jpg RICHARD III.]

RICHARD III.

{1483.} The first acts of Richard's administration were to bestow
rewards on those who had assisted him in usurping the crown, and to gain
by favors those who, he thought, were best able to support his future
government. Thomas Lord Howard was created duke of Norfolk; Sir Thomas
Howard, his son, earl of Surrey; Lord Lovel, a viscount by the same
name; even Lord Stanley was set at liberty, and made steward of the
household. This nobleman had become obnoxious by his first opposition
to Richard's views, and also by his marrying the countess dowager of
Richmond, heir of the Somerset family; but sensible of the necessity of
submitting to the present government, he feigned such zeal for Richard's
service, that he was received into favor, and even found means to be
intrusted with the most important commands by that politic and jealous
tyrant.

But the person who, both from the greatness of his services and the
power and splendor of his family, was best entitled to favors under
the new government, was the duke of Buckingham; and Richard seemed
determined to spare no pains or bounty in securing him to his interests.
Buckingham was descended from a daughter of Thomas of Woodstock, duke
of Glocester, uncle to Richard II.; and by this pedigree he not only
was allied to the royal family, but had claims for dignities as well as
estates of a very extensive nature. The duke of Glocester, and Henry,
earl of Derby, afterwards Henry IV. had married the two daughters and
coheirs of Bohun, earl of Hereford, one of the greatest of the ancient
barons, whose immense property came thus to be divided into two shares.
One was inherited by the family of Buckingham; the other was united to
the crown by the house of Lancaster, and, after the attainder of that
royal line, was seized, as legally devolved to them, by the sovereigns
of the house of York. The duke of Buckingham laid hold of the present
opportunity, and claimed the restitution of that portion of the Hereford
estate which had escheated to the c