(1) Richard III Flashcards
Why did Richard III come to the throne?
What are broad reasons why Richard III was able to come to power in 1483?
i) The early death of Edward IV
ii) Richard’s power
iii) Divisions in court
iv) Help given to Richard by others
v) Richard’s swiftness to act
vi) Richard’s ruthlessness
vii) Weakness of Edward V
Why did the early death of Edward IV and the weakness of Edward V contribute to Richard coming to power?
Edward IV died unexpectedly aged 40. There were fears of a Woodville clique around the young King, as Edward V had been raised by the Woodvilles. It is said that Edward had left in his will that Richard would act as regent until the young King came off age. However, Richard evidently felt sufficiently threatened by the Woodvilles to act.
How did Richard’s power help him gain the throne?
Richard had been awarded Warwick’s estates in the North, he had also gained land from Scotland through conflict. His vast land gave his power. Richard arrived in London and sent for troops from Northumberland and the Mayor of York.
What was the root of the divisions at court?
The Woodvilles were viewed as greedy, self-important and upstarts. Other nobles were actively willing to help Richard due to their unpopularity.
What are examples of nobles who were willing to help Richard due to their dislike of the Woodvilles?
i) Hastings feared the Queen’s vengeance after supposedly involving the King in a life of womanising
ii) Buckingham support Richard because he resented the fact that he had been forced to marry a Woodville.
How did Richard’s swiftness to act enable him to become King?
Richard headed South from York and met up with Earl Rivers and the young King at Stony Stratford. By capturing the King, Richard had seized the initiative. The Queen took sanctuary with her children in Westminster Abbey.
What are examples of Richard’s ruthlessness?
i) Richard arrested Earl Rivers and sent him North as a prisoner, to be treated as a traitor without a trial.
ii) Fearing that he was plotting against him, Richard had Hastings executed without trial.
iii) Richard questioned the legitimacy of Edward V, claiming that Edward IV had been pre-contracted to marry Eleanor Butler, so the two children were illegitimate.
iv) Richard persuaded Elizabeth Woodville to hand over her son Richard, Duke of York to join his brother in the Tower. They were never seen again, Richard was the most likely culprit.
