Richard III Reign Flashcards
Overview
- Edward dies in 1483
- Edward hadn’t planned his son’s succession well enough
- Feud between Richard and Woodvilles over who would be regent
- Richard intercepts Edward V on his way to be crowned
- Richard Grey, Thomas Vaughan and Earl Rivers arrested and killed without trial.
- Date for Ed V coronation set but Richard usurps him.
- Declares Edward V illegitimate
- Richard crowned in 1483, confirmed by Parliament in 1984
- Princes disappear, thought to have been killed by Richard
Factors Causing Usurpation:
Early Death of Edward IV
Edward V is still a minor, Gloucester is worried about his position as regent, Edward will be 16 in 4yrs so Richard would lose power anyway.
This spurs him into action
Factors Causing Usurpation:
Richard’s Power
Richard was well rewarded or his loyalty to Edward IV, he was given some of Warwick’s estates and married his daughter Anne- meaning he inherited even more when she died.
Richard was also made lieutenant of the North and given the power of the Palatinate- meaning he could raise troops to conquer Scotland, any land he conquered he now owned.
Factors Causing Usurpation:
Divisions at Court
The Woodville family were very unpopular at court and mighty nobles such as Hastings and Buckingham disliked them and resented their positions. This made them support Richard.
Factors Causing Usurpation:
Help from Others
Lord Hastings was fearful of queen Elizabeth and notified Richard of her plans to make an all Woodville regency council for Edward V. If Hastings hadn’t of told him then he might not have found out fast enough to usurp the throne.
Factors Causing Usurpation:
Swiftness to Act
Richard went straight to London and managed to intercept Edward V before his coronation.
Factors Causing Usurpation:
Richard’s Ruthlessness
Richard had the opposition killed e.g. Grey, Vaughan and Rivers. Hastings became suspicious of him and offered to help the Woodvilles. Richard retaliated by executing Hastings in court.
