It is rather a puzzle, but the most likely explanation is the Richard wanted to be recognized as the rightful King, not by conquest but by right of blood, by the Lords assembled. When he put his case to the Lords in October 1460 they baulked at deposing their annointed King and Richard was persuaded to accept the Accord and become heir. However the manner of his death at Wakefield and the treatment of the bodies plus the execution of prisoners meant that his son Edward, who was a stronger character, would settle for nothing less than the Crown.