A.D. 1392. In 1392 King Richard applied to the citizens of London for a loan of a thousand pounds. It was refused, but a wealthy Italian came forward and offered the whole of the sum, whereupon a mob set upon the unfortunate money-lender and tore him to pieces. Such a formidable riot was the result of this outrage that Richard took away the city charter and removed the law courts to York. This was a dilemma that had not been counted on, and occasioned so much distress and disturbance that Queen Anne was again called upon to act as mediator. This time she merely persuaded her husband to make a public
passage through London with her, trusting to the citizens to do their part, which she would follow up with her request at the proper moment. The king, with his escort, appeared first in the procession, then followed the queen and her ladies. She wore her crown, a robe of rich velvet, and a large collar of precious stones that blazed in the sunlight as she moved along. The procession halted at Southwark bridge, where it was welcomed by the lord-mayor and other authorities, followed by representatives of every branch of trade carrying various devices. There the king was presented with a pair of snow-white horses, covered with trappings of gold cloth to which silver bells were attached. The queen received a beautiful white palfrey, and after listening to a long speech by the lord mayor, the procession moved on. All the streets through which they passed were hung with flags, banners and rich tapestry, the public fountains flowed with wine. At different points bands of music and singers were stationed, the latter strewing the path with fresh flowers as the royal couple approached. Some rare and valuable gifts were presented, among which was a tablet set in jewels with the crucifixion engraved thereon. The king took it in his hand and said: "Peace be to this city!" Another was handed to the queen bearing a request that she would not fail to plead for the king's pardon. She cast her eyes over it and said, with a confident air, "leave all to me."
On arriving at Westminster Palace, the king entered first, and proceeding to the great hall, mounted the throne, sceptre in hand, and awaited the arrival of the queen and the rest of the procession. After all had assembled, her majesty knelt at the feet of her royal spouse and in a firm, clear voice made an humble and loving appeal that the charters and liberties of his penitent subjects might be restored.
"Be satisfied, dearest wife," answered Richard, taking her hand and raising her from her lowly position, "loth should we be to deny thee any reasonable request. Meantime ascend, and sit beside me on my throne, while I speak a few words to my people." His majesty then addressed the lord-mayor, thanked him for the exhibition of loyalty that had been made that day, as well as for the costly presents made to himself and his wife, bade him keep the peace of the city, and handed him back the key and sword of his office. This reconciliation cost the city ten times as much as the loan their sovereign had required. King Richard was preparing for a campaign in Ireland in the June of 1394 when his beloved wife was taken from him. She died at Shene, and in the bitterness of his grief, unable to bear the sight of the palace in which he had spent so many happy hours with his late companion, Richard had it destroyed.
The body of Anne of Bohemia was carried in grand procession to London and buried at Westminster.
King Richard went to Ireland shortly after, and frequently in the council-chamber of Dublin when anything recalled his "good Queen Anne" to his thoughts he suddenly would burst into tears and leave the room.
