The last Plantagenet king. Possibly the most maligned figure in history, the real Richard had very little in common with the conniving monster of Shakespeare. He served his brother Edward faithfully and well all through his reign and was named Protector to Edward’s son.1

Like most English nobles, Richard did not like Edward’s in-laws (the Woodvilles), who were avaricious nouveau riche who were more or less worthless in any official capacity. While history books blame Richard for the murder of the “Princes in the Tower,” there is no evidence he actually murdered them, nor that they died in his brief reign (of the list of crimes which Henry VII ascribed to Richard III, murder of the princes was not among them -- it seems highly unlikely Henry would have overlooked this loathsome deed if it had happened). Likewise, his motive for seizing the throne in place of his nephew Edward V may be ascribed to the need to keep the country from falling back into civil war due to the machinations of the Woodvilles.1

While controversy rages over Richard’s actual character and deeds, traditional history books simply do not give adequate explanations for their characterization of him as an “evil” man. See the classic novel “The Daughter of Time” for an entertaining introduction to the controversies, as well as the Richard III Society site at http://www.richardiii.net/begin.htm for an introduction to a group working to “rescue” Richard’s reputation.1

Fought valiantly at the Battle of Bosworth. While Henry VII hung back, surrounded by a large bodyguard, Richard led his troops. Lord Stanley had pledged his troops to Richard’s cause but held them back until he could determine who might win. At the crucial moment Stanley betrayed Richard and threw his troops into the fray on the side of Henry. Richard was encouraged to flee to save his life, but instead made a last-ditch effort to attack Henry personally. Charging through Henry’s bodyguard, he came close enough to strike Henry’s standard-bearer, but was then cut down by Henry’s men. He was the last English king to die leading troops into battle. Legend has it Lord Stanley found Richard’s crown (which he had worn into battle, unafraid to make himself a target) hanging from a thornbush and gaveit to Henry.1

Richard’s body was stripped and hung up in York, then buried. It was later exhumed and his remains thrown into the river.1

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Richard had the children below out of wedlock with unknown mothers. Possibly 3 other children in addition to the ones below.283