Also in attendance today is the ancient husk of Aubrey de Vere, Earl of Oxford. He is quietly speaking with his son, Robert, near to the dais.

Aubrey de Vere hands the Sword of Offering to Richard

After Richard handles it for a moment, he passes it to Aubrey de Vere, who exchanges the Sword of State with the Prior of Westminster Abbey to receive the naked Sword of Offering from the altar.

Aubrey de Vere's bones creak and tendons thwack as he makes his way down the altar steps and kneels---slowly---to place the spurs on Richard's heels. The King thanks him by clasping his shoulder, and the sour old man actually smiles.

The next to arrive is an ancient man, grown almost spindly as time has drained the vigor from his limbs. Strong of jaw, tall, and severe, his full height cannot be adjudged, for a stoop has begun to manifest in the broad shoulders, weigh down as they are by the enormous mace of office he bears over ...

To [insert Earl title here], Oxford, the Lord Great Chamberlain, sends an emanation of the will of the Crown; It is with a heavy heart that I must report that our King, Henry, the second of his name, has gone to his eternal rest in the bosom of Abraham. This island and its people will forever rememb...