1483:- Elizabeth is concerned when Edward allows Henry Tudor home from exile but he reasons that he prefers to keep his enemies close to him. Soon afterwards Edward suddenly dies of pneumonia, appointing Richard as the regent for his young son Edward. Anne, however, encourages her husband to crown himself king as the country's enemies may take advantage of a boy king. Richard takes the boy and places him in the Tower of London, causing Elizabeth, now powerless, to again go into sanctuary with her children. Richard has Anthony Rivers and Elizabeth's son Richard Grey killed and demands her younger son, though she sends him to Flanders and gives over a changeling boy. Margaret believes that an alliance with Elizabeth, leading to Henry marrying Elizabeth's daughter, would secure her son's claim to the throne but her husband Thomas Stanley reminds her that they must appear loyal to both sides and so they see Richard crown himself king.

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.