The Reign of Richard III

Question 1

When was Richard III born? (1)

Answer 1

1452.

Question 2

How did Richard have a claim to the throne? (2)

Answer 2

Through his father Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York (1) & his elder brother Edward IV (1)

Question 3

What were Richard III’s reign dates? (1)

Answer 3

1483-85

Question 4

Who were Richard III’s nephews? (2)

Answer 4

Edward & Richard

Question 5

What title did Edward IV give to Richard? (1)

Answer 5

Duke of Gloucester

Question 6

Name the two battles in which Richard helped his brother gain the crown by finally defeating Henry VI’s forces? (2 per battle)

Answer 6

Barnet, 1471

Tewkesbury, 1471

Question 7

What title was Richard given when Edward IV died?

Answer 7

Lord Protector of the Realm

Question 8

On becoming Lord Protector what was Richard’s first action? (4)

Answer 8

• He met his 12 year old nephew, Edward (1) at Ludlow (1)
• He escorted him to the Tower of London (1).
• His other nephew, Richard, soon joined him. (1)

Question 9

How did Richard begin to ‘spin’ that he was the rightful king? (4)

Answer 9

• He claimed Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville had been invalid (1) and that their children were illegitimate (1).
  On 25th June 1483 (1) an assembly of Lords and commoners endorsed these claims. (1)

Question 10

When did Richard’s reign officially begin? (1)

Answer 10

26th June 1483

Question 11

When were the Princes last officially seen? (1)

Answer 11

August 1483

Question 12

Who first opposed Richard’s rule? (4)

Answer 12

• In October 1483 (1) the powerful Duke of Buckingham led a revolt (1)
• It was failure (1) and the Duke was executed (1)

Question 13

Who had the Duke of Buckingham been in contact with before his revolt? (1)

Answer 13

Henry Tudor

Question 14

What did the Duke of Buckingham tell Henry Tudor? (2)

Answer 14

“The liberation of the princes is the main aim of my rebellion.”

Question 15

What happened to William Lord Hastings (loyal friend to Edward IV)? (2)

Answer 15

• Dragged out to the Tower of London (1)

- Head hacked off without a trial (1)

Question 16

Who was beheaded on Richard’s orders because of their close relationship to Edward V? (4)

Answer 16

Earl Rivers (uncle)
Lord Rivers (half brother), Richard Haute (cousin)
Sir Thomas Vaughan.

Question 17

How many of Richard’s subjects were slaughtered in ‘cold blood’? (2)

Answer 17

• 27 (that we know about)

- Maybe hundreds more.

Question 18

In what ways could Richard’s approach to ruling be seen as positive? (4)

Answer 18

• Richard was concerned about justice, both for the individual and its administration. (2)
• A Year Book reports one of his most famous acts, showing his commitment to uphold the law and its proper procedures. (2)

Question 19

What is a famous quote that Thomas, bishop of St.David, wrote? (2)

Answer 19

“And in many grete citeis and townis wer grete summis of mony gif hym which he hath refusyd.”

LEARN THE TRANSLATION:

“And in many great cities and towns. great sums of money were given to him as a gift, but he refused them.”

Question 20

What was Richard’s approach to gifts? (2)

Answer 20

Richard never received gifts (1) which he felt were unwarranted (1)

Question 21

What did Sir Francis Bacon write about Richard? (2)

Answer 21

“He was a good lawmaker (1) for the ease and solace of the common people. (1)’’

Question 22

What was Sir Francis Bacon’s position in England? (1)

Answer 22

Lord Chancellor

Question 23

Why would ‘ordinary’ people have supported Richard as king? (2)

Answer 23

There was a high percentage of acts passed by Richard’s parliament (1) that tried to improve conditions for ordinary people. (1)

Question 24

Why would some nobles have supported his position as King? (4)

Answer 24

Richard passed twenty-one private acts (1) which benefited particular individuals such as Lord Lovell (1), or settled the descent of particular lands (1) such as those of the duchy of Exeter. (1)

Question 25

Where did Henry Tudor land to claim the throne? (1)

Answer 25

Pembroke, Wales

Question 26

On what date and at which battle did Henry Tudor defeat Richard III? (2)

Answer 26

22nd August 1485 (1), at the Battle of Bosworth (1)