Weaknesses of Richard Flashcards
Jan 1484 parliament
In January 1484 Richard III called his first Parliament and used it to attack the traitors’, real or imagined, from the previous autumn. He passed the act. Titulus Regius which advanced Richard as the only legitimate heir of his father and attacked the ‘ungracious feigned marriage’ between his brother and Elizabeth Grey as she was now known. Richard also accused Elizabeth
Woodville and her mother with witchcraft.
The Parliament then cast acts of attainder against Dorset and the bishops of Ely, Salisbury and Exeter whom Richard believed had betrayed him during the Buckingham rebellion, along with 104 other names. 2/3 of those attained had their lands confiscated.
His position now especially depended on Norfolk,
who had shown his loyalty during Buckingham’s rebellion. These Acts of Attainder were followed by Richard’s attempt to gain support elsewhere, which he did by distributing lands and offices, but with mixed outcomes.
However, these actions were illegal as well as being unwise. It was normal to pass on the .
title of a traitor after a rebellion, but their land usually went to their heirs. However, such was Richard’s need for support that he took this land too; for 1
example, Sir Ralph Ashton was given much of the lands formerly owned by Sir John Fogge in Kent, ignoring the rights of his widow and children. It was just
another way Richard was shown to be acting against the interests of the realm.
In the summer of 1484, Richard Edgecome, stirred trouble in the South West, and later in 1484 trouble as awakened in Hertfordshire and Essex.
Despite the vicious attacks on his enemies, Richard also used the Parliament to advance his concern for law and order declaring that anyone charged of crimes
could be freed and not have their possessions seized before trial. Benevolences, forced taxation introduced by Edward IV, were made illegal, and
taxes were most heavily levied on foreign merchants, although the newlyflourishing book trade was exempt.
Death of son
9th April 1484 is son Edward of Middleham died
Richard had made him Prince of Wales in sept 1483, desperate to build his dynasty and succession
Disaster as no clear heir to the throne
Some also viewed it as a sign from God as judgement, particularity for his usurpation and princes
Tudor
Strong efforts to eliminate Tudor
Almost succeeded in Sept 1483, exchange him for the earldom of Richmond with Pierre Landais, the treasurer of the duchy of Brittany
Tudor was able to escape France before negotiations were completed
Received support from young French King Charles VIII and gave Tudor and supporters sanctuary joined by Oxford
Richard declared them all as rebels
Elizabeth Woodville
Richard reached a settlement with Elizabeth Woodville so she could depart her sanctuary if she agreed to be governed by him and in return her daughters would received good matches
Made tactical sense as to meant that it would add legitimacy to Richard’s reign
Rumours began to circulate by xmas day 1484 that Richard was going to sacred his wife for Elizabeth of York and secure line
Given proximity of their relation it forced more people towards Henry Tudor
Queen Anne
Rumours about marriage intensified with death of Queen Anne in March 1485, many suspected she died from poison
Prompted Richard to make a public declaration after easter that he had not intended to marry his niece, the fact he had to do this shows how little trust people had in Richard’s motives
