Richard III

"The Reinterment needs to be added."

Richard the Third of England has been portrayed as being an attractive man, especially in his youth. He was of medium height, clean-shaven, with long bobbed reddish-brown hair, although I have read books/articles describing his hair as dark brown to almost black.

Whatever, this bears little resemblance to Shakespeare's portrayal of a short, ugly, hunchback who possessed a withered arm; details of which appear to be scarce.

Richard has been typecast for several centuries as a murderous monster who claimed the throne of England by disposing of the more vital relatives along the way.

Historians, writers and scholars over the centuries, when documenting the Wars of the Roses* and the reign of the Tudors, continue to emphasise assorted atrocities committed by Richard that reinforce the above-mentioned impression.

More recently, actor Ian McKellan starred, co-wrote and was executive producer of a modernised version of Shakespeare's work. Although tanks and machine guns replaced horses and swords, the image of an evil genius still remains. Click on picture to view link.

What follows is a review of the Wars of the Roses*, the achievements of Richard the Third, and an examination of the crimes of which he was accused.

*It was only in the 18th century that the title 'The War of the Roses' was coined. The white rose was the most popular of several Yorkist badges. Lancaster did not use the red rose to represent their House. The propagandists of Henry VII adopted the red rose to symbolise the union of the two houses.

The White Rose of York and Lancaster's red rose were mentioned in the Croyland Chronicle completed in 1486. However this was after Richard III was killed, and Henry VII was now the king.

 

Richard III Society

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