EP: Reasons why Richard III lost the throne Flashcards
1
Q
Introduction
A
Introduction:
- Richard was crowned 6th July 1483
- Death at Bosworth 22nd August 1485
- Henry Tudor who had been in exile since 1471, had a very tenuous claim to the throne still managed to overthrow him
- Ross’ contention that “Richard’s lack of support at Bosworth provides the final proof” is agreeable as his unpopularity and lack of support ultimately caused him to lose his throne
2
Q
3 paragraphs for the question “Reasons why he lost the throne/ Why was his reign so short-lived”
A
- His mistakes/ ineffectiveness and unpopularity
- Support for Henry
- Battle of Bosworth and events of 1485
3
Q
All of His mistakes/ ineffectiveness and unpopularity
A
- His usurpation caused division amongst Yorkists and disappearance of Prince Edward and Richard
- Consequently, blamed for murdering his wife Anne Neville in March 1485
- He created a clear north v. south divide at court. Alienated himself from southern nobility
- Passed 95 acts of attainder following Buckingham’s rebellion in 1483
- Betrayed Rivers, Grey and Vaughan- Executed at Pontefract without trial- 25 June 1483
- He relied on Rhys ap Thomas and the Stanley’s to halt Henry’s entry to England- They did not and as such he was late reacting
- Only had 10,000 men by Bosworth
- Stanley’s wielded a disproportionate amount of influence ( He was unpopular with Stanley’s as he had captured his son, Lord Strange)
- Disastrous foreign policy- Scotland, failure to capture Henry
- Bennett: “By the time of Bosworth there can be few men who had confidence in Richard”
J- Most important reason
4
Q
All of Support for Henry
A
- Richard’s unpopularity caused a rise in the support for Henry
- Proven as he had a weak claim through his mother, a line which was negligible
- Connections with Rhys ap Thomas (500-800 men) and Lord Stanley (3,000 men + 1,500 cavalry) allowed him to land in Pembrokeshire- 7th August 1485
- William Herbert, Richard’s lieutenant in South Wales, failed to move against Henry
- Supported by: His uncle (Jasper), Francis II (Brittany), Charles VII of France, Oxford, Rhys ap Thomas, George talbot, William Stanley
- Still should not be enough to challenge a King
- Weir: “Henry acted as a magnet to all those dissatisfied with Richard”
- Charles VII of France provided 30 ships
- Anne of France provided him with 1,800 mercenary troops. Resentment stemmed from Edward’s invasion to France and the Treaty of Picquigny 1475
- French see Bosworth as a good opportunity for revenge
- J- Strongly linked to Richard’s unpopularity and still should not have been enough to challenge Richard
5
Q
All of Battle of Bosworth and events of 1485
A
- Battle on 22nd August 1485
- Richard = 10,000 men
- Henry = 4,000 men
- Jones: “Richard had an exceptional opportunity to finish Henry”
- Richard made numerous mistakes including the choice of the battlefield- Ambion Hill- Narrow battlefield limited his numerical advantage and played into Oxford’s hands
- Richard’s positioning in England also meant he was unable to prevent Henry from landing and crossing the River Severn (Henry was unchallenged for over 2 months)
- Oxford’s role should not be understated as he ordered the Wedge formation, making it impossible for Norfolk to breach
- Richard’s fatal cavalry charge in attempt to kill Henry provided William Stanley, who had not engaged initially, to intervene on the side of Henry and overwhelm Richard
- Northumberland also refused to fight for Richard once Oxford had defeated Norfolk
- J: Subsidiary factor but still crucial
- Refusal of Northumberland and disloyalty of Stanley highlight the importance of Richard’s unpopularity
6
Q
When was Richard III crowned
A
6th July 1483
7
Q
When was Bosworth
A
22nd August 1485
8
Q
What is Ross’ contention
A
- Ross’ contention that “Richard’s lack of support at Bosworth provides the final proof” is agreeable as his unpopularity and lack of support ultimately caused him to lose his throne
9
Q
Quote on “His mistakes/ ineffectiveness and unpopularity
A
- Bennett: “By the time of Bosworth there can be few men who had confidence in Richard”
10
Q
Quote on support for Henry
A
- Weir: “Henry acted as a magnet to all those dissatisfied with Richard”
11
Q
Quote on Bosworth
A
- Jones: “Richard had an exceptional opportunity to finish Henry”
12
Q
Role of his usurpation
A
- Caused divisions amongst the Yorkists
13
Q
Role of the disappearance of Prince Edward and Richard
A
- He is blamed
- Consequently, blamed for murdering his wife Anne Neville in March 1485
14
Q
Who did he betray in 1483
A
- Betrayed Rivers, Grey and Vaughan- Executed at Pontefract without trial- 25 June 1483
15
Q
Problems at court
A
- He created a clear north v. south divide at court. Alienated himself from southern nobility
