Aware of his antagonists Richard rewards those whom he believes can serve him, including Stanley, the duke of Buckingham and Thomas Brackenbury. Anne visits Brackenbury behind her husband's back, expressing her fear that his throne will not be safe as long as the princes in the tower are alive. Elizabeth, fearing for the boys' safety, accepts an offer of help to rescue them by Margaret, whose son Henry is now betrothed to Elizabeth's daughter Lizzie. However the attempt fails and, learning that the boys are dead, Elizabeth believes that she was double-crossed by Margaret in her ambition to see Henry crowned king. In fact Margaret and her kinsman Buckingham lead a rebellion against Richard but it fails, due to a torrential rain-storm magically evoked by Elizabeth. Buckingham is executed whilst Stanley, who betrayed his wife's part in the revolt, is awarded her lands as she is arrested and exiled. Anne believes Brackenbury had the boys murdered and she and Richard are alarmed by rumours accusing him of organizing the crime. Richard visits Elizabeth and expresses feelings for Lizzie but she tells her mother that she has no wish to be used as a political pawn.

Queen Anne's health is deteriorating and the death of her sickly son Edward and the knowledge that her husband loves Lizzie do not help her situation. She ends her feud with Elizabeth ,assuring her that she was not responsible for the deaths of the two boys and soon afterwards, following an eclipse, she dies. Elizabeth and her daughters are released from sanctuary and return to the court where Lizzie reciprocates Richard's feelings for her. However she is betrothed to marry the dour Henry Tudor, not a match she relishes. Henry effects his rebellion - with Stanley now amongst his supporters - and at the Battle of Bosworth Field kills Richard, releasing his mother from her house arrest. Margaret thanks God that her son is declared king, a fact she had always known would happen, whilst Elizabeth, formerly a queen is now a queen mother, her daughter the White Princess.