As soon as the Earl of Warwick reached London, he proceeded at once to the Tower to release old King Henry from his confinement. He found the poor king in a wretched plight. His apartment was gloomy and comfortless, his clothing was ragged, and his person squalid and dirty. The earl brought him forth from his prison, and, after causing his personal wants to be properly attended to, clothed him once more in royal robes, and conveyed him in state through London to the palace in Westminster, and established him there nominally as King of England, though Warwick was to all intents and purposes the real king. A Parliament was called, and all necessary laws were passed to sanction and confirm the dynasty. Queen Margaret, who, however, had not yet arrived from the Continent, was restored to her former rank, and the young Prince of Wales, now about eighteen years old, was the object of universal interest throughout the kingdom, as now the unquestioned and only heir to the crown. CHAPTER VII. THE DOWNFALL OF LANCASTER. A.D. 1470-1471 Position of Richard.--The Duke of Burgundy.--His cunning.--Secret communication with Clarence.--Warwick's plans to secure Clarence.--Edward and Richard sail for England.--Stratagems of war.--Reception of Edward at York.--The roses.--Public opinion.--Warwick.--Position of Clarence.--His double dealing.--Clarence goes over to Edward's side.--Edward triumphant.--Henry again sent to the Tower.--Warwick refuses to yield.--Preparations for a battle.--Edward victorious.--Warwick slain.--King Henry.--Margaret and the Prince of Wales.--Meeting of the armies.--Two boys to command.--The killing of Lord Wenlock.--End of the battle.--Murder of the Prince of Wales.--The queen's refuge.--Edward in the church.--Margaret taken.--Conducted a prisoner to London.--Henry is put to death in the Tower.--Burial of Henry VI.--The Lancastrian party completely subdued. It was in the month of October, 1470, that old King Henry and his family were restored to the throne. Clarence, as we have seen, being allied to Warwick by being married to his daughter, was induced to go over with him to the Lancastrian side; but Gloucester--that is, Richard--remained true to his own line, and followed the fortunes of his brother, in adverse as well as in prosperous times, with unchanging fidelity. He was now with Edward in the dominions of the Duke of Burgundy, who, you will recollect, married Margaret, Edward's sister, and who was now very naturally inclined to espouse Edward's cause.