THE LAST WHITE ROSE - EPISODE NINE: "THROWN UPON THE THRONE"

One page synopsis of Episode Nine of "The Last White Rose": "Thrown upon the Throne" As collateral against the Stanleys joining forces against him at Bosworth, King Richard III has Lord Stanley's son Thomas taken hostage at Nottingham Castle. With the battle a few hours away, he goes over final strategy with his platoon captains Sir John Howard and Sir Henry Percy, and other officers not previously seen: Sir Richard Ratcliffe, Sir Robert Brackenbury, Sir Percival Thirlwall, and the diminutive Sir Marmaduke. As Richard emerges from the tent, Merlin summons him to those heart-wrenching days leading up to his glorious coronation which begins with a clandestine meeting in the Woodville Queen's quarters with Mistress Jane Shore who has come on behalf of her new lover Sir Will Hastings. His plan, to sieze the young Edward V and bring him to Woodville so she can rule through him, for presently he has the run of the Tower and plays like a child, not preparing to rule. Though Woodville despises her late husband's wench, she sees the merit of Hastings' plan and agrees. Shortly, Parliament meets to hear the testimony of Bishop Robert Stillington whose conscience finally prompts him to come forward with proof of the illegitimacy of Edward's sons. Amidst reactions of shock, the House of Lords and House of Commons realize the grave problem with which they are confronted. The lineage of England hangs in the balance. It is suggested that the children of Clarence would then be the next inevitable heirs until evidence is offered that they too would be ineligible for he was under attainder by his brother Edward. That leaves but one choice for Parliament: Richard of Gloucester, who is humbled and realizes the pitfalls that lie ahead. Upon adjournment he sends Ratcliffe with all haste north with a message to bring more troops from the north for he may need them to put down the insurrection of the Lancastrians and their sympathizers. Meanwhile Stillington makes amends with Lady Anne while Buckingham accuses him of sucking up to the Queen to be. Francis Lovell, a childhood friend of both Richard and Anne, can see she's sick but Anne begs him not to tell Richard for it could hinder his path to the Realm. Francis agrees for Richard must be king. Sir John Catesby confirms Will Hastings' guilt and that Mistress Shore was the go-between in the plot against Richard. Hastings is then brought before a Privy Council at the Chamber of the Constable Tower with Buckingham turning on Hastings. Under oath, Mistress Shore reveals the attack was to take place on the morrow. Hastings is to be beheaded immediately in the courtyard. Before he departs he warns Richard that there are several in the room who will betray him. In mercy, Richard does not put an attainder on Will's widow or children to Anne's relief. Richard then turns to how he can diffuse the core of the conspiracy by convincing Woodville there'll be no danger to her if she comes out of Sanctuary. Anne suggests taking the young princes to Middleham where they'll have the companionship of their son Ned and John Gloucester under the tutorship of Sir John Howard. She volunteers to meet with Prince Edward in the Tower. It does not go well considering his mistrust and witnessing from his perch in the Tower the decapitation of Will Hastings. The prince's prejudices also come to the forefront for he has been taught to despise Warwick's daughter and the uncle who married her. Troubled by her lack of success, coughing spasms sieze Anne after returning in the rain. On Sunday June 6 Friar Ralph Shaa reveals to the parishioners and all of London that only Richard can be the legitimate heir. The people respond approvingly. The new Kingmaker Buckingham persuades Richard to confine the young princes in a more secure area of the Tower, placing Sir Robert Brackenbury in charge. Not realizing Buckingham plots against Richard, he concurs. Anne urges Richard to send physicians to the princes to make sure they are not ill and no harm will come to them. Richard enthusiastically complies. Soon the day arrives when many of the House of Lords and Commons convene at Baynard Castle for Buckingham to officially announce Richard as legitimate heir to the throne and receive their approval. On June 26, 1483 Richard solemnly takes the Royal Oath on the King's Bench at Westminster. Merlin moves among several in attendance, warning viewers of what they plot as another petal falls to the marbled floor near the King's Bench.