Order to Sir Edward Woodville (brother of Elizabeth Woodville) to disband the fleet.  The Marquess of Dorset (Elizabeth Woodville’s son from her 1st marriage) had immediately after Edward IV’s death arranged to appoint Sir Edward Woodville as commander of the fleet.  The king’s treasure was divided between the queen, Dorset and Edward Woodville.  This was possible as the Treasurer of England, Earl Essex, had died just 5 days before Edward IV on 4 April 1483.  Richard now promised a pardon to all involved, and all but two ships returned to England.  Woodville, however, fled with the treasure to Brittany and Henry Tudor.

Tags: Woodville Family