04
Chapter 1

Born on the 2nd of October 1452, the fourth surviving son of Richard 3rd duke of York and Lady Cecily Neville. Richard was the third eldest son, his two older brothers were Edward, who became Edward IV, and George 3rd duke of Clarence. In 1461 Richard was created duke of Gloucester by his brother, Edward IV. Richard married Anne Neville, they had one son, Edward, who was born in 1473.

He was created Prince of Wales by his father in 1483. Richard was proclaimed king on 26th June 1483 and crowned King Richard III at Westminster Abbey 6th July that year. He died at the Battle of Bosworth in Leicester on the 26th August 1485, the last English king to die in Battle. He was succeeded by Henry Tudor, the victor at Bosworth, who became King Henry VII. Put like this, the life and times of King Richard III appears to be pretty
straightforward, if only.

By just reciting the simple facts, birth dates etc; it is so easy to gloss over a life that was steeped in violence and controversy. By the time Richard was eight years old, his father had been killed and he had been sent into exile in Holland. When his elder brother won the throne and became Edward IV he sent for Richard and created him a royal duke.

As soon as he was old enough Richard was taking an active role at his brother's side in the ongoing fight with the Lancastrians in what was to become known as the Wars of the Roses. The Wars of the Roses were a series of battles; the first was fought at St Albans in 1455 and the last being Bosworth. The wars were fought between supporters of the Lancastrian and Yorkist camps. They were initiated by Richard Duke of York, who claimed the protectorate whilst Henry VI suffered a nervous breakdown. Both sides had victories as well as suffering setbacks, Richard of York himself was killed and Henry lost his only son, Edward. When the Yorkist gained the upper hand and Edward became established on the throne, he created Richard to Constable of all England. Richard proved able and loyal to his brother, who entrusted him with command of the north, this included taking on and defeating the Scots in several battles.

It was during the Wars of the Roses that Richard, as Duke of Gloucester, was said to have started on his bloody trail to the throne. His first victim is said to be Edward, Henry IV's son and heir. It is alleged that Richard killed or had Edward killed in order to marry his widow, who was a member of the powerful Neville family.

The first murder that Richard is directly accused of is that of Henry IV himself, he is said to have sneaked into the Tower of London, were Henry was being held, and slayed the feeble old man. His older brother, George Duke of Clarence was said to be his next victim. Richard is not accused of actually murdering George personally but he is accused of manipulating the situation until he got the result that he wanted, the death of Clarence. It is said that the reason that Richard wanted Clarence out of the way was because he stood between Richard and the throne. Most of these accusations surfaced only after Richard's death.

The one crime that he is most famously accused of, the disappearance of his two nephews, the 13 year old Edward V and his 11 year old brother, Richard, Duke of York. The two children are now known as 'The Princes in the Tower', and is a good example of how history and myth can become as one. The traditional story is that Richard, having decided to usurp the throne, hires two men to kill the princes and dispose of their bodies. The problem with an event like this is that there is little or no evidence to support any side of the argument, but is should be pointed out that rumours were circulating London at the time.

Richard is also cited as being responsible for other deaths, Lord Rivers, Lord Grey and Lord Vaughan, all arrested at Stoney Stratford, despatched to various locations and eventually executed, all on Richard's word. There is little or no documentary evidence to support as to whether they were tried or not. The same cannot be said of Lord Hastings, one time ally Richard, executed after being accused of treason, it is accepted that Lord Hastings was executed without a trail. There is little doubt that Richard did order the deaths of the four Lords, it is his motives that inspires all the historical rhetoric that has been written.

After King Edward IV's death, Richard gained a powerful ally in Henry Stafford Duke of
Buckingham. Without Buckingham's help it could be argued that Richard would not have been able to take the throne. The first major setback for Richard was his fall-out with Buckingham. Buckingham deserted Richard and joined the forces that were trying to put Henry Tudor on the throne. That fact that Richard and Buckingham became enemies is again not in doubt; it is the reason that has caused all the confusion.

One school of thought believes that the two fell out because Richard failed to honour the promises that he made to Buckingham of lands and a major role in the governing of the country. Another version argues that Buckingham, disgusted at Richard's slaughter of the Princes, left to join the rebels. A third theory suggests that Buckingham, wanting the throne himself, joined the rebels for this reason. Some argue that Buckingham murdered or had the Princes murdered. Whatever his reasons, there can be little doubt that Buckingham's disaffection played an important role in the eventual downfall of Richard. The forces loyal to Richard managed to take Buckingham prisoner, who was executed on Richard's orders.

Edward, Richard's son, died in 1484, as he was his only son, Richard named John de la Pole, his sister Elizabeth's eldest son, as his successor. In August 1485, Henry Tudor landed in Wales with a small army, mainly made up of mercenaries and some forces supplied by the King of France. On his march from Wales Henry attracted some loyal supporters. Richard gathered an army and rode to meet Henry. There is some dispute about the level of support given to Richard; he did however amass a sizable force.

It is generally accepted that there is a good chance that Richard could have been the victor of Bosworth, had it not been for the Stanley brothers, who switched their forces to Henry's side at a crucial point of the battle. Richard was killed; at least all sources agree that he died bravely. Henry was crowned Henry VII, thus bringing to an end of
the Yorkist dynasty and starting the Tudor dynasty.

Bosworth is also regarded by historians as bringing to an end of the Middle-Ages and ushering in modern history.

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