Richard III: Strengths and Weaknesses Of Reign

Question 1

Strengths

Answer 1

• Limited Opposition: Buckingham’s rebellion lacked support, Buckingham was executed and his lands went to Richard.
• Nobility: Uses patronage toga and keep support. Edmund Chadderton and Thomas Barowe some of his most loyal men. Manages to win over some of EdIV’s supporters e.g. Lord Ferrers.
• Finance: Chadderton made treasurer. council is ran similarly to the Council of the Nort, North affinity work as agents in the south. In 1485 R’s finances are fairly secure, he continues to use EDIV chamber of finance and is interested in maximising income.
• Propaganda: Suggests that EDIV reign is bleak- links this to Woodvilles and claims EDIV children are bastards (trying to justify usurpation). Gives his wife Ann Neville a lavish coronation, distributes cloth badges with his symbol on-white boar.

Question 2

Weaknesses

Answer 2

• Princes disappear, people think Richard has killed them, Richard loses a lot of support for this.
• Richard lacks foreign policy, however, he makes a 3yr truce with Scotland
• Buckingham’s Rebellion: Not sure why he rebelled, possibly unsatisfied with power-only controls South Wales. Henry Tudor tries to invade, whilst Thomas Bourchier and William Norreys all rebel at the same time.
• Northern King: Richard lacks southern allies because he spent most of his time in the North. His northern allies are very loyal, they come down to help. Southern nobles resent Northerners. Most important nobles are normally based in the South East.

Question 3

Threat From Henry Tudor:

Background

Answer 3

• Only 14, Son of Edmund Tudor, uncle is Jasper Tudor (Earl of Pembroke), he is the half brother of HVI.
• Was under house arrest in England but escaped and became a refugee in Brittany. The Woodvilles want revenge for Richard killing the princes, so they let Henry marry their daughter.
• Anti-Richard Yorkists promise to recognise him as king if he rules together with his Yorkist wife.
• Expedition to England in 1483, tried to land but turns back because of bad weather and the failure of Buckingham’s rebellion.

Question 4

Threat From Henry Tudor:

Battle of Bosworth

Answer 4

Henry gains French support after Richard makes a deal with Brittany to hand Henry over (Henry escapes to France). He is given mercenaries to help him fight Richard.
Henry lands in Wales and marches 100 miles unopposed. He meets up with Richard at Bosworth.

Battle Of Bosworth:

• Looks like Richard will win, but Lord Stanley has not committed his troops to a side yet.
• Richard is on top of a hill and sees Henry relatively unprotected. Richard charges at him and almost kills him.
• Lord Stanley decides to join Henry’s side and sends his troops to kill an unprotected Richard.
• Richard is killed and Henry is proclaimed king.