<I>King Richard III. From a picture in the National Portrait Gallery</I>
King Richard III.
From a picture in the National Portrait Gallery
RICHARD III: HIS LIFE & CHARACTER
REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT RESEARCH
BY SIR CLEMENTS E. MARKHAM, K.C.B.
AUTHOR OF 'THE LIFE OF THE
GREAT LORD FAIRFAX' AND
'THE FIGHTING VERES'
WITH A PORTRAIT
LONDON: SMITH, ELDER, AND CO.
15 WATERLOO PLACE. 1906
(All rights reserved)
PREFACE
There are periods of history when the greatest caution is called for in
accepting statements put forward by a dominant faction. Very early in
my life I came to the conclusion that the period which witnessed the
change of dynasties from Plantagenet to Tudor was one of these. The
caricature of the last Plantagenet King was too grotesque, and too
grossly opposed to his character derived from official records. The
stories were an outrage on common-sense. I studied the subject at
intervals for many years, and in the course of my researches I found
that I more or less shared my doubts with every author of repute who
had studied the subject for the last three centuries, except Hume and
Lingard. My own conclusions are that Richard III. must be acquitted on
all the counts of the indictment. The present work is divided into two
parts, the first narrating the events of his life and times, and the
second examining the various accusations against him. I did not
contemplate publication because I thought that in these days prejudices
were too strong to make it possible that a fair and candid hearing
should be given to the arguments. But I determined to consult
some historical friends, and I was pleased to find that to a great
extent I was mistaken.
In the first place, I wrote a full abstract of my arguments, for
publication in the 'Historical Review,' acting under the advice of my
old schoolfellow, Professor Freeman, to whom I sent it in the first
instance. It so happened that Mr. Freeman had given attention to part
of the subject. He upset some odious fabrications of the chroniclers
affecting the character of Margaret of Anjou, by proving that she was
in Scotland at the time when the battle of Wakefield was fought.
Freeman seldom wrote on so late a period of our history, and we owe
this modern excursion to a visit to Mr. Milnes Gaskell at Thornes.
After reading what I sent him, Professor Freeman wrote on August 13,
1890: 'Your abstract has set me a-thinking. It is only a Robert of
Bellême who does that kind of thing. On your main point I will talk to
Gardiner and Stubbs. Meanwhile, I have shown your manuscript to Sidney
Owen, who read it and held it to be what lawyers would call
considerable. Owen had been at those times, and holds Henry VII. to
be at least capable of it.
'It would be a self-denying ordinance in Gairdner if he accepted your
view, for he has gone more straight at that time than anybody else.
Gardiner has written to him, and he is a little fierce, as was to be
expected, but if you are like me, no man's fierceness will hinder you
from dining and sleeping as well as usual. The matter is at all events
worth discussing.'
Professor York Powell read my manuscript, and wrote: 'I have read the
manuscript and think there is something worth looking into. Henry's
conduct to Tyrrell is exceedingly suspicious. Either Richard or Henry
might have put the boys to death, but it would be interesting for many
reasons to know which it was. I am not convinced by Markham, but I do
not think Gairdner has the right to be cocksure. The Morton suggestive
idea is very ingenious and pretty, and quite probable. It has
interested me much to read Markham's letter, for I remember my
difficulties in the matter and the point I got to, that the great men
did not, for a time, hold the now vulgate view of the murder of the
princes. I should rejoice should Markham light upon additional
evidence in favour of his thesis, which à priori is by no means
unlikely. There is something about Richard's character, ability, and
reign which, I think, attracts every real student of history, and gives
one a feeling that he has been unfairly dealt with.'
In 1891, the abstract of my work was published in the 'Historical
Review,' and Bishop Creighton, who was then the editor, wrote: 'Thank
you for your paper, which I have read with great interest. It
certainly makes out a strong case.'
There were two rejoinders from Mr. Gairdner, which enabled me to recast
and improve parts of my work by the light of his criticism.
I lost my adviser, Mr. Freeman, in 1892. One of the last things he did
was to warn me of an objection
taken by Miss Edith Thompson,
which enabled me to meet it.[1]
After careful revision I showed my manuscript to the late Sir Archibald
Milman, who had given close attention to those times. On December 27,
1897, he wrote: 'It is your bounden duty to tell your story of Richard
III., giving the date for every fact. It is only by sticking to dates
that you get at truth in criminal causes, and the same method must be
followed at the bar of history. It would be a pleasure to think that
the last Plantagenet was not a cruel scoundrel. By giving dates and
authorities for them, you render a great service. Richard's loyalty
and able administration in the north seem inconsistent with such
ferocity. I was much interested in one of your facts, that, according
to the story put forward by Henry VII., the bodies of the little
princes were taken up from the place of hasty interment and placed in
consecrated ground. But lo! they remained under the staircase, where
they were found in Charles II.'s reign.'
In consequence of Sir A. Milman's letter I made another close scrutiny
of dates given by various authorities for the same events with
important results. I also went very carefully over the ground of the
battlefields of Wakefield, Towton, Barnet, Tewkesbury, and Bosworth;
and I added some chapters to the work.
The correspondence to which I have referred has led me to the
conclusion that students of history are not, as I once believed,
unwilling to reconsider the questions which form the subject of the
present work, when they are presented from new points of view; and that
the well-known arguments which were supposed to suffice for the defence
of the Tudor stories in the past are in these days insufficient. The
numerous points now raised and submitted for the judgment of students
are at all events worth discussing. The present work is about as
complete as very frequent revision can make it.
CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
v
PART I
CHAPTER I
BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
Description of Fotheringhay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 Possessions of the Duke of York. Marriage . . . . . . . .
2,
3 Birth of Richard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Letter of Edward and Edmund to their father . . . . . . .
4 Children of the Duke of York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 Richard a prisoner of war aged 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Refuge in John Paston's chambers . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
CHAPTER II
DEATH OF RICHARD'S FATHER AND BROTHER AT THE BATTLE OF WAKEFIELD
The Duke of York declared Heir-Apparent . . . . . . . . .
9 The Duke and his family united at Baynard's Castle . . . .
10 March to Sandal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Description of Sandal Castle and its neighbourhood . . . .
12,
13 Battle of Wakefield. Death of the Duke . . . . . . . . .
14,
15 Death of Edmund, Earl of Rutland . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15,
16 Cruelty and inhuman folly of the Lancastrians . . . . . .
17 Edward's victory at Mortimer's Cross . . . . . . . . . . .
18 George and Richard sent to Holland for safety . . . . . .
18,
19
CHAPTER III
THE CROWNING VICTORY OF TOWTON
Description of Edward IV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Edward proclaimed King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21,
22 March to the north. Yorkist leaders . . . . . . . . . . .
23 Lancastrian leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24 Sir Andrew Trollope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25 Description of the country round Towton . . . . . . . . .
26 Surprise at Ferrybridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
27 Chase and death of Clifford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28 Yorkists march to Saxton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29,
30 Marshalling of the Lancastrians . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31 Battle of Towton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32,
33 Flight of Henry and his partisans. Edward at York . . . .
34 Coronation of Edward IV. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35 Edward's generous treatment of his foes . . . . . . . . .
36 Chapel built by Richard at Towton . . . . . . . . . . . .
37
CHAPTER IV
THE CROWN LOST AND WON--BATTLE OF BARNET
Return of George and Richard from Holland . . . . . . . .
38 Their Dukedoms, Earldoms and Richard's K.G. . . . . . . .
38 Richard chief mourner at his father's obsequies . . . . .
39 Military training under Warwick . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40 Description of Richard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
40 Treason of Warwick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41 Flight of Edward and Richard to Holland. . . . . . . . . .
42,
43 Expedition fitted out at Veere . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44 Landing at Ravenspur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45 Edward's brilliant campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46,
47 Richard's negotiation with Clarence . . . . . . . . . . .
48 Battle of Barnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49,
52
CHAPTER V
MARGARET OF ANJOU AND HER SON EDWARD
Birth and marriage of Margaret . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53,
54 Birth of Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55 Adventures in the wars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56,
59 Home at Koeur-la-Petite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60 Edward's conversations with the Chief Justice . . . . . .
61,
66 Agreement with Warwick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
67 Description of young Edward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
68
CHAPTER VI
THE BATTLE OF TEWKESBURY
Margaret and Edward land at Weymouth . . . . . . . . . . .
69 Advance to Bristol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70 King Edward's plan of campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
71 Description of the battle field . . . . . . . . . . . . .
72 March of King Edward's army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
73 Battle of Tewkesbury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74,
75 Death of Edward of Lancaster on the battle field . . . . .
75 Execution of some leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
76 Pardon of the rest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
77 Death of Henry VI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78 Ransom of Margaret. Her death . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
79
CHAPTER VII
MARRIED LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF RICHARD DUKE OF GLOUCESTER
Richard's march to Sandwich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
80 Marriage of Richard and Anne Nevill . . . . . . . . . . .
81,
82 Richard with his brother in France . . . . . . . . . . . .
82 Description of Middleham Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . .
83 Home life at Middleham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82,
83,
84 Public duties. Frequent visits to York . . . . . . . . .
84 Warden of the Marches. Scottish campaign . . . . . . . .
84,
86 Death of Edward IV. Lady Grey. Children . . . . . . . .
86,
87
CHAPTER VIII
ACCESSION OF RICHARD III
Conspiracy of the Woodvilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
88 Richard made Protector by his brother's will . . . . . . .
89 Arrest of Rivers and his colleagues . . . . . . . . . . .
90 Queen Dowager in sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91 Richard and his mother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92 Disclosure of Bishop Stillington . . . . . . . . . . . . .
93 Account of Bishop Stillington . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94-95 Foundation of the College at Acaster . . . . . . . . . . .
96 Children of Edward IV. illegitimate . . . . . . . . . . .
97 Hastings-Woodville conspiracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
98,
99 Execution of Rivers and his colleagues . . . . . . . . . .
99,
100 Richard's title to the crown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
101 Accession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
102
CHAPTER IX
CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE
Results of the Lancastrian usurpation . . . . . . . . . .
103 Effects of the Wars of the Roses . . . . . . . . . . . . .
104 No destruction of the nobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
105 Scenery. Country life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
106 Castles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
107 Hunting and hawking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
108 The Peerage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
109 Town residences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
110 Magnificence of the Court . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
111 Wealth of merchants. City Companies . . . . . . . . . . .
112 Introduction of printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
113 Caxton's works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
114,
115 Literary noblemen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
115,
116 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
117 Bishops. Clergy. Monasteries. Pilgrimages . . . . . . .
118-119 Lawlessness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120 Manor houses. Cultivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
121 Condition of the people . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
122-123 Prices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
123
CHAPTER X
REIGN OF RICHARD III
Description of the King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
124 Treatment of his nephews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
125 Coronation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
126-127 Claim of Buckingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
128 Royal Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
129-130 Rebellion of Buckingham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
131-132 List of traitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
132-133 Parliament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
134 Reforms. Revenue. Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
135 Convocation. Agreement with the Queen Dowager . . . . . .
136 Death of the Prince of Wales. His tomb . . . . . . . . .
137 Edward Earl of Warwick made Heir-Apparent . . . . . . . .
138 King Richard's popularity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
139 Conspiracy of Henry Tudor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
140 The King assembled troops at Nottingham . . . . . . . . .
141 Proclamation against Henry Tudor . . . . . . . . . . . . .
143 Peerage of Richard III. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
143 Ministers of Richard III. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
144 Commissioners for Peace with Scotland . . . . . . . . . .
145 Judges and Law Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
145 Bishops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
146 Knights of the Garter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
146 Knights of the Bath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
147
CHAPTER XI
THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH
Treachery of the Stanleys explained . . . . . . . . . . .
148,
149 King Richard's military talent . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
150 English pluck displayed by Richard . . . . . . . . . . . .
150 Loyal men flocking to the King's standard . . . . . . . .
151 Description of the country round Bosworth . . . . . . . .
152 Positions of the two armies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
153 King Richard leads his men to the encounter . . . . . . .
154 Treachery of Lord Stanley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
155 The King's gallant charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
155 Death of the King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
155-156-157 Richard buried at Leicester. Memorials . . . . . . . . .
158 Character of King Richard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
159 His generosity. Arbitrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
160 Able administration. Building operations . . . . . . . .
161 Literary tastes. Founded the Heralds' College . . . . . .
162 Comparison of Richard and the Tudors . . . . . . . . . . .
162,
163 His married life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
164 Contemporary Sovereigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
165
PART II
CHAPTER I
THE AUTHORITIES
The Plantagenet Dynasty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
166 Character and position of the accusers . . . . . . . . . .
167 Extravagance of their caricature . . . . . . . . . . . . .
167 Writers in the pay of the Tudors . . . . . . . . . . . . .
168 The notorious pamphlet by Morton . . . . . . . . . . . . .
168-171 Bernard André . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
171 Polydore Virgil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
171-172 Rous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
173 Fabyan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
174 Warkworth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
175 Continuators of the Croyland Chronicle . . . . . . . . . .
175-178 Official documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
179 Hall, Grafton, Holinshed, Stow, Buck . . . . . . . . . . .
179 Reaction. Modern authors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
181 Miss Halsted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
182 Upholders of the Tudor stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
182-183
CHAPTER II
EXAMINATION OF THE CHARGES AGAINST RICHARD
Reckless profusion of abuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
184 Deformity. Statement of Rous and Morton . . . . . . . . .
185 The truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
186 Object of the calumny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
187 Tewkesbury. The truth told by all contemporaries . . . .
188-189 Fable by Fabyan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
190 Polydore Virgil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
190 Subsequent embellishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
190 Silence of Morton and Rous . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
191-192 Henry VI. Insinuations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
193 Warkworth and Fabyan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
194-195 The Croyland Monk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
195 Polydore Virgil contradicts . . . . . . . . . . . . .
196 All unworthy of credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
196 Evidence of the accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
197