Finance

In terms of royal finances Richard, like Edward IV used the royal chamber as a financial department. He generally lived within means and took a real interest in maximising income from royal lands which meant that the financial was secure enough by the end of the reign. His act outlawing benevolences (forced contributions to the King) and his restraint from asking parliament for taxation also proved popular among the people.

In 1483, however, he initially faced problems relating to finance. His brother, Edward IV, had made the crown solvent by 1475 but wars against France and Scotland had emptied the royal coffers.

Nevertheless, by Richards accession to the throne, the wars against France, and Scotland had ended so there no continuing demands on royal income. Furthermore, Richard made a good use of the confiscations from the 1483 Buckingham's rebellion to bolster the royal finances.

For example, the heir to Buckingham's powerful duchy, Edward Stafford, was a minor and therefore became the King's ward. His lands thus fell under the control of the Crown.

Richard also demanded bonds for allegiance good behavior in exchange for a pardon after the Buckingham rebellion. For example Richard Woodville and John Fogge were bound under 1000 marks for their allegiance before pardons were issued in January 1485.

William Berkeley of Beverstone was also bound under 1000 marks for his allegiance but forfeited this when Berkeley defected to Henry Tudor