III. vii. 5. Lady Lucy. The pre-contract was said to have been with Elizabeth Lucy, who was one of Edward's mistresses. '[Buckingham tells the citizens how Dr. Shaw] groundlie made open vnto you, the children of King Edward the fourth were neuer lawfullie begotten; forsomuch as the king (leauing his verie wife dame Elizabeth Lucie) was neuer lawfullie maried vnto the queene their mother. . . .' Holinshed, iii. 729. More, 70/21. Buckingham also declared that 'the king's greedie appetite was insatiable, and euerie where ouer all the realme intollerable.' Holinshed, iii. 729. Buckingham likewise makes references to the things spoken of by Doctor Shaw 'as 'twere far off.'
III. vii. 6. contract by deputy. See 3 Henry VI, III. iii. 49 ff. for an account of this. The lady was Bona, daughter of the Duke of Savoy, and sister of the french queen.
III. vii. 15. victories. Richard commanded an expedition against Scotland in 1482, advancing as far as Edinburgh. Berwick was captured and ceded to England when peace was concluded.
III. vii. 25. statues. 'When the duke had said, and looked that the people, whome he hoped that the maior had framed before, should, after this proposition made, haue cried, "King Richard, king Richard!" all was husht and mute, and not one word answered therevnto. . . .' Holinshed, 730. More, 72/16. Holinshed further describes Buckingham's efforts in substance as Shakespeare represents in this scene.
III. vii. 44–245. The historical time of the rest of this scene is June 25, 1483, the day after Buckingham's speech at the Guildhall. Shakespeare makes one dramatic day of the whole scene. More's order of events places Shaw's sermon on June 15 and Buckingham's speech on June 17. For an account of the Lord Mayor and his reception by Richard, see Holinshed,
