Why did Richard take the throne? Flashcards
what are the 4 factors in Richard taking the throne?
- fear of woodvilles
- fear of losing lands
- influence of Buckingham
- belief he was legitimate heir
when did Richard arrest rivers and Thomas grey?
30 April 1483
when were Rivers and Grey executed?
-25 June 1483 at Pontefract castle
what does Richard’s actions towards rivers and grey show?
- clear that he feared the Woodvilles
- viewed them as threat and wanted to get rid of them
why did Richard view woodvilles as a threat?
Edward V had row up under their care at Ludlow Castle during 1470s and thought Ed would favour them in a minority council
what would Richard realise when his protectorate ended?
the Woodvilles would seek revenge for his actions towards them
why did fear of woodvilles drive Richard to the throne?
- claiming the throne was the only way to protect himself
- would explain Richard’s reluctance to take the throne as soon as he entered LDN
which lands did Richard fear losing?
his northern lands
what happened 4 may 1483?
- George, duke of Bedford did with no heirs
- meant act of attender against him ceased to exist
who would the land Richard owned pass to? what would this mean for his son?
- the Latimer family
- Richard’s son would miss out on Richard’s great fortune and his legacy would be tarnished
why did fear of loosing lands lead to Richard seizing the throne?
the only way for him to secure northern lands and inheritance for his son was by claiming the throne
who may have influenced Richard in taking the throne?
duke of Buckingham
why was Buckingham not a support of Ed IV or his dynasty?
- he was side-lined under Ed IV and forced to marry Katherine Woodville
- match he was not pleased with
what was Buckingham’s motive to support Richard for throne?
he would be well rewarded as his most powerful supporter
what did Buckingham do on 25 June 1483?
Buckingham declared that Ed IV’s marriage was illegitimate and thus proclaimed Richard as an alternative to the throne
what might the support of Buckingham have meant for Richard?
- given Richard the confidence needed to make a claim for the throne
- he was a powerful noble of royal blood
who’s claim might have persuaded Richard that he was the genuine heir?
Robert Skillington, bishop of bath and wells
what did Robert Skillington claim?
- ed IV had previously been engaged to Eleanor butler
- making his marriage to Elizabeth Woodville void and his children illegitimate
when did the illegitimacy stories begin to appear?
at a convenient time
even if illegitimacy stories were true, was Richard next in line?
no - it was Edward, earl of Warwick (Clarence’s son)
