WS ABC Richard III - Special memorial Blog

                                            Richard III

Today, August 22nd is the 531st anniversary of the death of King Richard III. This king, the last of the Plantagenet dynasty, was killed at Bosworth Field, Leicester, UK trying to defend his country from the usurper, Henry, Duke of Richmond. Although this minor aristocrat was one of several who claimed the throne, he was the one who succeeded.

                                             Henry VII
Henry was a direct descendant of Henry V's wife, Catherine, who, after this king's untimely death from dysentery, married Owen Tudor, one of her serving men. Owen's son, Edmund became the father of the future Henry Tudor, Henry VII.

Richard III (1452-1485) was the younger brother of Edward IV and played a key role in helping his brother regain the throne from Henry VI during the Wars of the Roses. Richard was appointed Duke of Gloucester and Lord Protector of Edward IV's, son Edward V when Edward IV died in 1483. Soon after, Edward V and his brother, Richard Duke of York - 'the Princes in the Tower' - disappeared and Uncle Richard was crowned King Richard III.

He was suspected of killing his nephews so that they could not inherit the the throne even though, due to their illegitimacy, they would not have been allowed to do so in any case. 

Bosworth Field, Leicestershire, today.

Richard III's 'White Boar' flag at Bosworth Field today

'Richard's Well', Bosworth where he was reputed to have drunk   before his final battle. (Author's photos)

Richard reigned for only two years, 1483-85 but despite his popularity in the north of England, he was unable to win broad-based support as king. When Henry defeated him at Bosworth Field, this was his second attempt. Richard fought and died bravely and even Henry VII's official historian, Polydore Vergil, described Richard as a valiant warrior.

Shakespeare, whose play Richard III has permanently blackened Richard's reputation, has written the best and most effective piece of propaganda ever. Our William had vested interests in doing so. Assuming he wished to keep his head on his shoulders, or at least stay out of the Tower of London, Shakespeare had no choice but to describe Richard as 'a bottl'd spider, that foul hunch-back'd toad.' How could Shakespeare have written that his queen's grandfather, Henry VII, an anointed king, had killed another good and anointed king? Richard just had to be a 'foul defacer of God's handiwork.' 

Statue of Richard III today outside Leicester Cathedral (left) and his tomb in thee cathedral below.
(Author's photos)

Interestingly enough, even though Richard reigned for only two years, he is one of the most studied and intriguing of English kings. For many years there has been a thriving international Richard III Society and much noise was made when this maligned king's body was found buried below a parking lot in Leicester in September 2012. His body was found below the letter 'R'. His remains were re-interred in Leicester Cathedral complete with full royal and religious honours in March 2015. 

            King Richard III in the centre of Leicester today.

I will write more about the man and Shakespeare's ever popular play, Richard III, later in this blog, i.e. when I reach the letter R. Please, kind gentles, do be patient.

Will return to Shakespearean cartoons next time.
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