REAL RICHARD III

Richard of Gloucester usurps the throne

1483

Richard of Gloucester usurps the throne (6)

• Edward V on way to coronation preparations when his retinue was intercepted and arrested by Richard of Gloucester.

• Elizabeth Woodville and youngest son Richard sought refuge in Westminster Abbey

• Not widespread opposition to Richard’s actions as many nobles feared if Edward V was to imminently become King, the Woodvilles would take advantage

• Richard has Edward IV’s close ally Lord Hastings executed

• Elizabeth Woodville is convinced to allow her second son to join her brother in the Tower for his coronation , Gloucester further delays the coronation

• Anthony Woodville alongside Edward IV’s allies are executed at Pontefract Castle under orders of Richard before he announced himself as King

Richard Gloucester’s coronation as King of England

1483

Buckingham’s rebellion

1483

Buckingham’s rebellion (8)

• Henry Tudor was alternative claimant to the throne

  • Through the illegitimate Beaufort line

  • Mother, Margaret Beaufort plotted marriage of Henry to Edward’s eldest daughter Elizabeth of York to strengthen his claim and support for him

  • Currently in Exile in Brittany at this time

  • Supported by Richard’s former ally Duke of Buckingham

• Series of rebellions in the south resulting in rebels declaring Henry the new King and Henry Tudor setting sail from Brittany with ships and finances for an invasion

• Tudor defeated by bad weather and Richard placing defence alone the coast - forced back into exile in Brittany with fellow rebels and supporters of Edward IV

• Richard punished rebels by giving land to supporters in North (Many people of these lands resented royal authority)

Henry Tudor’s invasion of England

1485

Henry Tudor’s invasion of england (6)

• Previous year Henry was aware of Richard negotiating with the duke of Brittanny to hand over rebels but duke allowed them to escape to france

• French King wanted to cause as much trouble for Richard and so provided shi[s, finances and men

• Henry lands in Wales with 2000-4000 troops

• Marches across county, collecting support but was still outnumbered 5000 vs 12000

• Henry had international support from France and Scotland who were being antagonised by Richard II

• French were fully on board with Tudor after Richard reiterates claim to French throne

Reasons for tudor success at the battle of Bosworth (6)

• Richard II received inaccurate spy reports regarding Tudor’s whereabouts = unprepared

• Tudor’s vanguard ably commanded by Earl of Oxford

• Henry Percy offered great military support to Richard but fails to engage troops, possibly believed that Tudor would give him more control in the North than Richard had

• Thomas Lord Stanley was Tudor’s stepfather but had shown considerable support to Richard during his reign. However, upon declaration of battle, Stanley refused Richard’s summons for him to fight alongside the king by claiming he was ill, Stanley’s son taken as hostage to ensure Stanley behaved correctly

• Stanley arrives at Bosworth and made sure not to fight on either side but his brother Sir William supports Tudor

• Upon Tudor Victory, Thomas Stanely awarded Constable of the Ream amongst other land and titles

Princes in the Tower

• Source of great controversy

• Many believed Richard heard of a plot to free the brothers from the Tower and so had to act before the alternative claimants to the throne could be released