Long Live Richard, England's Royal King!

BRAKENBURY.  Well, madam, and in health. But by your leave, I may not suffer you to visit him. The King hath straitly charged the contrary.

QUEEN ELIZABETH.  The King? Why, who's that?

BRAKENBURY.  I cry you mercy: I mean the Lord Protector. (Act IV, Scene I, 10-14, p. 69)

       In the opening scene of Act IV, Queen Elizabeth along with Lady Anne, Duchess of York and Marquis Dorset request to see Prince Edward and the Duke of York inside the tower. Brakenbury denies their entry at Richard III's request, but by inadvertently referring to Richard III as 'The King' Brakenbury unintentionally exposes Richard III's inevitable ascension to the throne to Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Prince Edward and the Duke of York. At this point Queen Elizabeth realizes the immediate danger that her two sons are in as Richard III's opposition to the crown.