How strong was Richard III’s position as King of England by the end of 1484? (Strengths)

Question 1

What did the parliament do in January 1484 to support Richard III?

Answer 1

Recognised his title (Titulus Regius)

This recognised his title (Titulus Regius).

Question 2

What sources of landed revenue did Richard III have at his disposal?

Answer 2

Royal, House of York, Wife (Neville-Beauchamp lands) and from the elimination of rivals

Royal, House of York, Wife (Neville-Beauchamp lands) and from the elimination of rivals – by 1484 this included Buckingham too.

Question 3

Who were revealed as enemies of Richard III during the rebellion?

Answer 3

Buckingham and Margaret Beaufort

The rebellion had revealed many of Richard III’s enemies including Buckingham and Margaret Beaufort.

Question 4

Why was there no obvious Yorkist rival to Richard III’s throne by this time?

Answer 4

Edward IV’s sons had been declared illegitimate and were widely thought to be dead; Clarence’s son, Edward of Warwick, was in the possession of Richard III; He also controlled access to Edward IV’s daughters.

There was no obvious Yorkist rival to his throne by this time: Edward IV’s sons had been declared illegitimate and were widely thought to be dead; Clarence’s son, Edward of Warwick, was in the possession of Richard III; He also controlled access to Edward IV’s daughters.

Question 5

What did Richard III persuade Elizabeth Woodville and her daughters to do in March 1484?

Answer 5

Leave sanctuary and join him at court

In March 1484 Richard III persuaded Elizabeth Woodville and her daughters to leave sanctuary. They joined him at court at Christmas 1484.

Question 6

What did Richard II establish at foreign courts to keep himself informed about his enemies?

Answer 6

A network of spies

Richard II established a network of spies at foreign courts. They kept him informed about the activities of his enemies.

Question 7

What were some of Richard III’s characteristics and interests that set him apart from Edward IV’s court?

Answer 7

Genuinely pious with interests in academic foundations and access to justice for all

Richard seems to have been genuinely pious with interests in academic foundations and access to justice for all. The comparison between this and the immorality of Edward IV’s court was clear.

Question 8

Was there evidence that Richard III lacked noble support?

Answer 8

No evidence

Despite later events, there is no evidence that Richard lacked noble (as opposed to gentry) support.