The duke of Buckingham laid hold of the present opportunity, and claimed the restitution of that portion of the Hereford estate which had escheated to the crown, as well as of the great office of constable, which had long continued by inheritance in his ancestors of that family.

Richard readily complied with these demands, which were probably the price stipulated to Buckingham for his assistance in promoting the usurpation.

That nobleman was invested with the office of constable; he received a grant of the estate of Hereford;[*] many other dignities and honors were conferred upon him; and the king thought himself sure of preserving the fidelity of a man whose interests seemed so closely connected with those of the present government.
* Dugdale's Baron.

vol.i.p.

168, 169.
But it was impossible that friendship could long remain inviolate between two men of such corrupt minds as Richard and the duke of Buckingham.