EP: Richard III and success of government Flashcards
Introduction
Introduction:
- Richard was crowned 6th July 1483
- Reputation is hotly contested between those of the view of the Richard III society who promote his excellence in Kingship against the Machiavellian view portrayed by Shakespeare
- Difficult to assess how successful he was (or could have been)
- Short reign was a total failure
- Less support in 1485 than in 1483
- The fact that Henry Tudor could invade with such a force signifies his unpopularity
- Death on 22nd August 1485
3 paragraphs for the Q: “How successful was Richard III’s government between 1483 and 1485
- Ability/ success in winning support/ Consolidation of position as King
- Foreign policy
- Aspects of governance
All of Ability/ success in winning support/ Consolidation of position as King
- His greatest failing
- Seward: “The most terrifying man ever to occupy the English throne”
- He did secure support from John Howard, (whom he promoted to Duke of Norfolk on 28th June 1483) and his northern followers
- Initially had support of Hastings and Buckingham, but betrayed them
BUT : Substantial number of nobility remained inactive- crucial at Bosworth as he only gathered 10,000 men and Northumberland did not support him - Bishop John Morton, Reginald Bray, Thomas Grey, Giles Daubeney and many others joined Tudor in exile after Richard’s usurpation and Buckingham’s rebellion
- Unpopular due to:
- 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
- Involvement in murder of Henry VI in 1471 and his brother Clarence in 1478
All of Foreign policy
- Another unmitigated failure
- BUT :
- War with Scotland 1484- complete failure: Embarrassing peace with Scotland on 21 September 1484 with the Treaty of Nottingham after the humiliating battle of Lochmaben Fair in July 1484
- Failure to capture Henry Tudor in Brittany after it became clear an invasion was imminent following Henry’s betrothal to Elizabeth of York (Christmas 1483). This happened despite making a deal with Francis II’s treasurer, Pierre Landais, possibly because Bishop John Morton learned of the scheme and tipped Henry Tudor off.
- Anne of France supported Henry Tudor and provided him with 1,800 mercenary troops. Resentment stemmed from 1475 Treaty of Picquigny
- He also failed to remove John de vere, Earl of Oxford from Hammes castle near Calais in October 1484. His incredible escape proved vital at Bosworth
- Unqualified disaster
- Relate to Richard’s mistakes as his poor effort to gain support led to heightened support for Henry Tudor, which was crucial in his own downfall
All of Aspects of governance
Cardinal Wolsey: “Although he did evil, yet in his time were many good acts made”
- He did implement some beneficial legislation, however finances were poorly managed
- Richard’s first and only Parliament in Jan-Feb 1484, provided much evidence of an enlightened and liberal King. (e.g. statutes to reform and improve land ownership, the judicial system, outlawed benevolences and eradicated dishonesty in the cloth trade.
- Council of the North- July 1484- Richard’s most enduring monument
- Also served the Church well
- He reformed and improved land ownership, the judicial system and eradicated dishonesty in the cloth trade.
- Swore to protect Woodvilles in March 1484, leading their family to return to court
- Hicks and Ross both credit Richard with running a largely efficient government.
BUT: Also passed 95 acts of attainder in the same parliament
- He exhausted the crown of royal finances with the expensive war with Scotland, then resorted to forced loans by February 1485 despite outlawing benevolences in the Parliament of 1484
- J: Progress from parliamentary reforms, illustrates his potential
When was Richard crowned
- 6th July 1483
What are the 2 views of Richard
- Reputation is hotly contested between those of the view of the Richard III society who promote his excellence in Kingship against the Machiavellian view portrayed by Shakespeare
When was Bosworth and Richard’s death
- 22nd August 1485
Conclusion
Conclusion:
- Some successful reforms but disastrous reputation and foreign policy and made huge mistakes in his handling of the nobility
- Should have acknowledged how weak his position was in 1483
- But, his reign ended in such ignominious fashion at Bosworth, that it is difficult to assess the extent of success
Quote on Richard’s reign
- Seward: “The most terrifying man ever to occupy the English throne”
Quote on Richard’s aspects of governance
Cardinal Wolsey: “Although he did evil, yet in his time were many good acts made”
Who did he gain support from
- He did secure support from John Howard, Duke of Norfolk and his northern followers
- Initially had support of Hastings and Buckingham, but betrayed them
Importance of the inactivity of the nobility
- Substantial number of nobility remained inactive- crucial at Bosworth as he only gathered 10,000 men and Northumberland did not support him
Why was he so unpopular
- 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
Failures in Scotland
- War with Scotland 1484- complete failure: Embarrassing peace with Scotland on 21 September 1484 after the humiliating battle of Lochmaben Fair in July 1484