The death of R3 wife and heir + the problem of the succession Flashcards
What happened to Richard son and his wife?
Richard had no brothers so invested his hopes for Dynasty on his son
He created him, Prince of Wales, in August 1483
however,his son died the following year on 9th April 1484
A year later his wife also died in March 1485
this was a severe blow to R3 as his throne was now severely insecure
any immediate chance of securing a Yorkist succession was now non-existent
What rumours spread about Richards and what did they demonstrate?
rumours quickly spread that R3 had poisoned his wife and now planned on marrying his niece, Elizabeth of York
this would decrease Henry Tudor’s prospects as a claimant
although these rumours were most likely false they demonstrate the general dislike of R3
R3 lack of an heir weakened his position and strengthened Henry Tudors
Who did Richard name his heir?
after the death of his son in 1484, R3 named his nephew, Edward Earl of Warwick as his heir
however, this was an awkward choice as he was Clarence’s son who was an attainted nobleman so his Lands and titles were in the custody of the King
R3 then named a different nephew as his heir, John de la Pole who was the son of the king’s elder sister Elizabeth
