Who is Richard III? This notorious King of England reigned for only two years, but left quite a mark! Is he an unsung hero of the medieval world or a cruel manipulative child murderer?
Join Matt Lewis to forensically dissect the evidence for and against this so-called villain. From childhood to his long lost Leicester grave Matt will be visiting the places that impacted Richard’s life and meeting expert historians along the way to unravel exactly who Richard was.
In episode one we explore Richard’s early years at the Shropshire town of Ludlow and then interrogate exciting documents at the National Archives which can tell us so much more about the fraught period in history remembered as the War of the Roses. We explore the many battles that surround Richard’s childhood as well as his teenage years at the majestic Middleham Castle with his cousin the Earl of Warwick. Matt explores everything that Richard needed to become a nobleman, from falconry to flattery! It was at Middleham where he met his future wife, Anne Neville. Before of course (this is the War of the Roses!) crashing into more battles, this time Richard’s first time on the battlefield at the tender age of 18. This was followed quickly by the battle of Tewkesbury when Henry VI’s only son Edward was killed days before the death of the Lancastrian King, Henry VI. In an incredible short time period Lancasterian defiance had collapsed and Richard’s eldest brother Edward became King Edward IV. But Richard was too busy making an immense Northern powerhouse for this to affect him too much. By the 1470’s Royal authority was being felt in the north of England as it never had before, this was levelling up for the North. It was all going so well but things weren’t going to stay that way…Richard’s brother George, was executed in 1478, followed by a huge surprise for not just Richard but the entire Kingdom! King Edward IV died, Richard was now the sole protector of his young nephews, the future King Edward V and the Prince of Wales, and the final of the brothers York standing. Matt finally looks to unscramble the confusing events after Edward’s death, which culminates with not young Edward V being crowned, but Uncle Richard.
What do you think, villain or a misremembered hero? Or neither! Let us know what you think in the comments!
Part two will investigate the chaotic days that led up to Richard becoming King and will be added on 18th July.
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Fancy visiting some of these places?
Basing House, Hampshire Cultural Trust, https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/basing-house
The National Archives, https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
St Lawrences, Ludlow, https://stlaurences.org.uk/
Middleham Castle, https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/middleham-castle/
St James's Church, Sussex Gardens, https://stjamespaddington.org.uk/
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