through no deliberate human agency.

In some of these events Sir Aymer de Lacy was an actor, while in others
he was but a spectator or bore no part at all. From the grim
death-scene in the Tower he had gone back to Crosby Hall and a long
talk with Sir John de Bury, wherein he learned what had brought the old
Knight so hastily to London and the Lord Chamberlain to the block; and
which, ere nightfall, was to send Sir Ralph de Wilton galloping back to
Pontefract, bearing an order constituting the Earl of Northumberland
Lord High Steward, and directing the trial of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan
for the same crime that had proven Hastings' doom: conspiracy against
the Lord Protector. He had chanced to ride by St. Paul's Cross while
Dr. Shaw was in the midst of his sermon on "Bastard slips shall not
take deep root." He had gone with Buckingham to the Guild Hall two
days later; had listened with strong approval to the speech wherein
Stafford boldly advocated the setting aside of the young Edward in
favor of his uncle; and had lent his own voice to the cry: "King
Richard! King Richard!" He had witnessed the tender at Baynard's
Castle and the halting acceptance by the Duke--had heard the heralds
proclaim the new King in the streets of London--and had seen him ascend
the marble seat at Westminster and begin the reign that promised so
bright a future. He had ridden in the cavalcade that accompanied the
King from the Tower on the Saturday preceding the formal coronation,
and had formed one of the throng that participated in the gorgeous
ceremony of that July Sunday, when all the power of England's nobility
passed from the Palace to the Abbey to honor him who was to be the last
of his Line.

Never for generations was England to see such a gathering of her Peers
and Barons and Churchmen as walked in that procession. There, was the
huge Northumberland, fresh from Pontefract--where but a week aback he
had sent Rivers and his friends to the headsman--now bearing Mercy's
pointless sword; Stanley (his peace made by empty words) with the Mace;
Suffolk with the Sceptre; Norfolk, Earl Marshal of the Realm, with the
Crown; and Richard himself, in purple gown and crimson surcoat; the
Bishop of Durham on his right and the Bishop of Bath on his left; and
behind him, bearing his train, the Duke of Buckingham. . . And then
the Queen's attendants: Huntington with her Sceptre; Lisle with the Rod
and Dove; Wiltshire with her Crown. She, herself