My first debt is to my editor in New York, Carolyn Carlson of Viking. The book owes a very great deal to her enthusiasm and constructive criticism.
I am also grateful to Susan, Viscountess Mountgarret for many useful suggestions and for taking me round the battlefield of Towton; to Peter Drummond-Murray of Mastrick, Slains Pursuivant of Arms, for advice on the Earl of Oxford’s genealogy and on the significance of the earldom of Derby; and to the staffs of the British Library, the London Library, and the Guildhall Library for all their patient assistance.
I have benefited immeasurably from the work of scholars during recent years, work which has enormously increased our knowledge of the Wars of the Roses and especially of Richard III. I would like to instance in particular the biography of Margaret Beaufort,The King’s Mother, by M.K. Jones and M.G. Underwood; the publications of Dr M.A. Hicks, whether books or articles in learned journals; and the contributions of numerous specialists to The Ricardian.
I must record a special debt of thanks to Michael Kadwell and David Plumtree of Holleyman & Treacher, Brighton, for their help in finding the black and white illustrations.
