Richard III (1452 - 1485)


The last Yorkist king of England, Richard usurped power in June 1483. His reputation as a paradigm of evil only started after his death, initiated by Tudor propagandists, including Shakespeare. The youngest son of Richard, Duke of York, he was created Duke of Gloucester in 1461 after his eldest brother, Edward, had deposed Henry VI and been crowned Edward IV.

In October 1470, the two were exiled by the Earl of Warwick in favour of Henry VI. Returning with Edward in March 1471, Richard contributed to the victories over the Lancastrians at Barnet and Tewkesbury that led to Edward's restoration. Suitably large rewards followed.

When Edward died in April 1483, Richard became protector of the realm for Edward's son and successor, the 12-year-old Edward V. Problems soon arose with Edward IV's widow, Elizabeth Woodville, and her family, who dominated the young monarch. Richard arrested (and eventually executed) their leaders and took Edward V and his younger brother into custody.

A publicity campaign condemned Edward IV's marriage as invalid, his children illegitimate and Richard to be the rightful successor. On 25th June an assembly of lords and commoners endorsed these claims; the following day Richard III officially began his reign.

The two young princes disappeared in August, widely rumoured to have been murdered by Richard. This remains a possibility. A rebellion raised by the Duke of Buckingham in October quickly collapsed, but Buckingham's defection, along with his supporters, eroded Richard's power and support among the aristocracy and gentry.

Meanwhile, Richard had a serious rival to the throne. Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, claimed Lancastrian ancestry to the throne. Although exiled in France, he was rapidly gathering support. In August 1485, Henry landed in South Wales. He marched east and engaged Richard in battle on Bosworth Field on 22nd August. Although Richard possessed superior numbers, several of his key lieutenants defected. Refusing to flee, Richard was killed in battle. Henry Tudor took the throne as Henry VII.