The King, in anticipation of the threatened invasion, took up a central position at Nottingham Castle in the spring of 1485, and issued commissions of array. In the early part of the year he had found the treasury nearly exhausted, and had been obliged to resort to a loan, in order to raise funds for the defence of the country. His parliament had abolished the system of 'benevolences,' or forced contributions, which had often been resorted to by former kings and were very oppressive. Richard, in his difficulties, would not sanction this illegal practice, but he appealed to the people for a loan, delivering 'good and sufficient pledges' for its repayment.[[28]] Full payment was to be made in eighteen months, in two instalments. By Good Friday, April 1, about 20,000l. had been received, out of 30,000l. that had been asked for.
On June 23 a royal proclamation was issued declaring Henry Tydder alias Tudor and his followers to be traitors and outlaws, and announcing that this Henry, son of Edmund, son of Owen Tydder, actually pretended to have a title to the crown. The Earl of Warwick and the King's niece Elizabeth were sent to Sheriff Hutton for safety. Edward and Richard, the young sons of Edward IV., must have been sent to the Tower with the same object.
Meanwhile the French Regent, although there was no war and no pretext for hostilities with England, furnished the necessary funds to enable an expedition to be fitted out at Harfleur, and allowed French troops to be embarked under the command of a French officer named Philibert de Shaundé. Thus supported and accompanied, Henry Tudor landed at Milford Haven on August 8, 1485. He had with him a few Lancastrian exiles.
PEERAGE OF RICHARD III.
(Those printed in italic type were present at the Coronation.)
DUKES
1. Duke of Buckingham, K.G. (Stafford),[1] held the train.
2. Duke of Suffolk, K.G. (Pole), bore the sceptre.
3. Duke of Norfolk, K.G (Howard), bore the crown.
ROYAL MINORS
4. Earl of Salisbury (Plantagenet),[2] son of the King.
5. Earl of Warwick " son of Clarence.
6. Earl of March and Pembroke, K.G. (Plantagenet), illegitimate
son of Edward IV.
EARLS
7. Earl of Lincoln (Pole),[2] bore the orb.
8. Earl of Surrey, K.G. (Howard),[2] bore the sword of state.
9. Earl of Arundel, K.G. (FitzAlan).[1]
10. Earl of Northumberland, K.G. (Percy),[1] bore the sword of mercy.
11. Earl of Westmoreland (Nevill), sick.
12. Earl of Wiltshire (Herbert), bore the queen's crown.
13. Earl of Kent (Grey), bore the ecclesiastical sword of justice.
14. Earl of Nottingham (Berkeley).
15. Earl of Huntingdon, bore the queen's sceptre.
16. Earl of Shrewsbury (Talbot) } minors
17. Earl of Essex (Bourchier) }
VISCOUNTS
18. Viscount Lovell, K.G., bore the civil sword of justice.
19. Viscount Lisle (Grey),[1] bore the rod with dove.
BARONS
20. Lord Abergavenny (Nevill).
21. Lord Maltravers, K.G. (Fitz-Alan).[2]
22. Lord Grey of Codnor. 23. Lord Grey of Wilton. 24. Lord Grey of Powys. 25. Lord Morley. 26. Lord Scrope of Bolton, K.G. 27. Lord Scrope of Masham. 28. Lord Beauchamp. 29. Lord Lumley. 30. Lord Audley. 31. Lord Stourton. 32. Lord FitzHugh. 33. Lord Zouch. 34. Lord Dacre. 35. Lord Ferrers, K.G. 36. Lord Cobham. 37. Lord Stanley, K.G.,[1] bore the mace of constable.
[1] Turned traitors.
[2] Eldest sons raised to the Upper House.