Act 2, Scene 1 Summary

King Edward speaks with Queen Elizabeth, Lord Rivers, Lord Hastings, Lord Dorset and Lord Buckingham. He has Rivers and Hastings swear allegiance to each other and forget their past quarrels. He does the same with Dorset, Hastings, Buckingham and the Queen. Richard enters and apologizes if he has ever offended any of them, and hopes no one holds grudges against him because he holds none.

The Queen suggests that since they have all been reconciled to each other, the king should reconcile himself with Clarence. Everyone is shocked when Richard announces that Clarence is dead. The king is confused because he had ordered that Clarence not be killed. Richard claims that the message was not delivered and Clarence was killed because of the king's initial order. The king laments Clarence's death and is angry that no one tried to defend Clarence...