IV. iv. 479. '[Richard] most mistrusted . . . Thomas lord Stanleie . . . For when the said lord Stanleie would haue departed into his countrie . . . the king in no wise would suffer him to depart, before he had left as an hostage in the court George Stanleie, lord Strange, his first begotten sonne and heire.' Holinshed, iii. 751. Halle, 408.
IV. iv. 501. Sir Edward Courtney. Sir Edward Courtenay of Haccombe. He was created Earl of Devon on Henry VII's accession. For an account of these risings, see Holinshed, iii. 743. Halle, 393.
IV. iv. 502. Bishop of Exeter. Shakespeare followed More's error in calling Peter Courtenay, Bishop of Exeter, brother of Sir Edward. Peter was the son of Sir Philip Courtenay of Powderham. The Bishop was the cousin of Sir Edward.
IV. iv. 504. the Guildfords. The Guildfords were a distinguished family seated at Hempstead, near Cranbrook, Kent.
IV. iv. 508. owls! nothing but songs of death. According to Pliny the cry of the screech-owl always betokened 'some heavy news.'
IV. iv. 513. 'By this floud the passages were so closed, that neither the duke could come ouer Severn to his adherents or they to him. . . . The duke (being thus left almost post alone) was of necessitie compelled to flie. . . .' Holinshed, iii. 743. Halle, 394. On October 28, 1483, Richard 'made proclamation, that what person could shew and reueale where the duke of Buckingham was, should be highlie rewarded. . . .' Holinshed, iii. 744. Halle, 394.
IV. iv. 522. tempest. Richmond sailed Oct. 12, 1483, and the same night the great storm arose that dispersed his fleet. The first ill-fated expedition is described in Holinshed, iii. 744. Halle, 396.
