Page "Thomas Bourchier (bishop)" Paragraph 5

In 1457 Bourchier took the chief part in the trial of Reginald Pecock, Bishop of Chichester, for heresy ; in 1473 he was created a cardinal after some delay as this honour had been sought for him by Edward IV in 1465 ; and in 1475 he was one of the four arbitrators appointed to arrange the details of the Treaty of Picquigny between England and France.

After the death of Edward IV in 1483 Bourchier persuaded the queen to allow her younger son, Richard, Duke of York, to share his brother's residence in the Tower of London ; and although he had sworn to be faithful to Edward V before his father's death, he crowned Richard III in July 1483.

He was, however, in no way implicated in the murder of the young princes, and he was probably a participant in the conspiracies against Richard.