Editorial Content for Richard III: A Ruler and His Reputation
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Ever the object of scrutiny and speculation, Richard III has fascinated royal watchers as far back as the 15th century when he lived and died. Portrayed as a bitter, manipulative hunchback who killed anyone who stood between himself and the throne in the Shakespearean play “Richard III,”the monarch received short shrift in the fictional account of his life. Conversely, members of the Richard III Society have worked hard since 1924 to uncover what they believe to be the truth and dispel many of the rumors that have continued to dog Richard III's legacy centuries after his death. Love him or hate him, he's arguably one of the most intriguing characters to appear on the horizon of England's political landscape.
"Instead of painting Richard III as a villain or a victor, Horspool reviews the facts and provides readers with plausible insights into the personality and life of a fascinating figure of British history."
As mysterious in death as he was in life, Richard III's burial place remained unknown to anyone living until an astounding discovery in Leicester, England in 2012. Thought to have been hastily buried in the choir of Grey Friars church in Leicester without benefit of even a coffin shortly after his death, the monarch's final resting place was located underneath a modern-day parking lot belonging to a local city council. While Richard III may have lost the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, he made one last stand when he received an official burial and reinterment at Leicester Cathedral in March 2015.
One of the possible crimes for which Richard III was most famous was the disappearance, and most likely murder, of his two nephews, the sons of his dead brother, Edward IV, who stood between King Richard and the throne. The story of the princes in the tower and the mystery of what became of them has swirled like an all-consuming fog around Richard III in life and in death. Theories abound, although none have ever been proven.
Another crime that was laid at Richard's feet by some was the death of his wife, Anne Neville. Having become ill shortly after Christmas in 1483, Anne passed away on March 16, 1484. While it may have been from illness, Richard's detractors and opponents put forth the idea that he'd poisoned Queen Anne so he could marry his niece, Elizabeth of York. An eclipse of the sun that occurred on the day of Queen Anne's death was taken by many as an omen that the House of York was destined for doom.
David Horspool examines all aspects of Richard III's life with a view to impartiality and truth as far as it can be discovered centuries after the death of the monarch. Instead of painting Richard III as a villain or a victor, Horspool reviews the facts and provides readers with plausible insights into the personality and life of a fascinating figure of British history. In these pages, we are treated to a complete picture of Richard III beginning with his birth at Fotheringhay Castle to his death in the Battle of Bosworth Field.
Teaser
With the discovery of Richard III's bones under a parking lot in Leicester, England, interest in this divisive and enigmatic figure in British history is at an all-time high. RICHARD III dispassionately examines the legend as well as the man to uncover both what we know of the life of Richard, and the way that his reputation has been formed and re-formed over centuries. But beyond simply his reputation, there is no dispute that the last Plantagenet is a pivotal figure in English history --- and David Horspool's biography chronicles this tumultuous time with flair.
Promo
With the discovery of Richard III's bones under a parking lot in Leicester, England, interest in this divisive and enigmatic figure in British history is at an all-time high. RICHARD III dispassionately examines the legend as well as the man to uncover both what we know of the life of Richard, and the way that his reputation has been formed and re-formed over centuries. But beyond simply his reputation, there is no dispute that the last Plantagenet is a pivotal figure in English history --- and David Horspool's biography chronicles this tumultuous time with flair.
About the Book
For many, Richard III is an obsession --- the Richard III Society has a huge membership, and Shakespeare's Histories have contributed to, if not his popularity, certainly his notoriety. Now, with the discovery of Richard III's bones under a parking lot in Leicester, England, interest in this divisive and enigmatic figure in British history is at an all-time high. It is a compelling story to scholars as well as general readers, who continue to seek out the kind of strong narrative history that David Horspool delivers in this groundbreaking biography of the king.
RICHARD III dispassionately examines the legend as well as the man to uncover both what we know of the life of Richard, and the way that his reputation has been formed and re-formed over centuries. But beyond simply his reputation, there is no dispute that the last Plantagenet is a pivotal figure in English history --- his death signaled the end of the War of the Roses and, arguably, the end of the medieval period in England --- and Horspool's biography chronicles this tumultuous time with flair.
This narrative-driven and insightful biography lays out a view of Richard that is fair to his historical character and to his background in the medieval world. Above all, it is authoritative in its assessment of a king who came to the throne under extraordinary circumstances.
