Yes. Seizing the throne was the only way to prevent his own execution. "You either win or you die" as they say.
If Earl Rivers had become regent then he would surely have brought treason charges against Richard, regardless of evidence, as it would have been illogical for Richard not to be plotting treason.
"Some even jokingly suggest that the king had a hand in helping Leicester City’s miraculous 2016 title win." Jokingly? Look at where Leicester City play their home games and tell me that Richard the *King* didn't have some *Power* over that.
Henry VI was implicated in two miraculous cures in the late 15th century, but Richard III helped Leicester win at 1000/1 odds, so who is really the saint?
Seriously, there was a fairly big cultus of Henry VI, which might have come to something had not a later Henry been incapable of keeping his breeches buttoned. In 1923, Ronald Knox and Shane Leslie published a slim volume (I have a copy) called 'The Miracles of King Henry VI: Being an Account and Translation of Twenty-Three Miracles to be Taken from the Manuscript in the British Museum', and there was a definite groundswell for his canonisation, despite contemporary politics.
It’s incredibly sad that we wrecked all our castles and monasteries. Over men’s egos. Sadder yet that we paved over graves with NCPs! France had an entire bloody revolution and still managed to preserve its historical culture!
For a pleasurably engrossing dive into The Wars of the Roses, you can't do better, in my view, than the BBC tv series The Hollow Crown....(this warm endorsement from a no-great-fan of the BBC in general)
no other country but England turned its national history into a popular drama before the age of cinema
Righto. Apart from the people of the Book. The current conflict is just the latest instalment in the protracted daddy issues between Hagar and Sarah’s sons.
I have always been very sympathetic towards Richard III, murders notwithstanding. That is, until I learned that he empowered writers. Murdering child family members is bad, but elevating writers is just too far, sir.
In May 2004, she visited various sites in Leicester associated with Richard III, including the three car-parks identified in 1975 as possible burial locations. Langley entered the Social Services car park, and at the northern end felt a "strange sensation" come over her, saying "I knew in my innermost being that Richard's body lay there". In 2005, on completing her first draft, she returned to the car park and experienced the same feeling, when she looked down, someone had painted a reserved "R" over the space; she recounted "it told me all I needed to know".
If ever you wanted to win over the Tintagel cranks while being dismissed by those who are skeptical about water divining and the power of amulets, claiming to feel the presence of a long dead king while standing in a Social Services car park would be a good way to go about it.
Did you watch the King in the Car Park special? I appreciate what Langley has done but she came across as incredibly weird to me. They revealed the reconstruction of Richard III's face to her and she got all weepy and said "That's not the face of a tyrant! I'm sorry but it's not!". Among other odd behavior. And the special was incongruously hosted by this goofy comedian guy which made the experience even stranger.
Battle of Stoke Field is interesting it is basically an Irish invasion of England. It is almost forgotten- Cork being the Rebel County also refers to this period. You used to see Cork GAA fans with Confederate flags before that became a faux pas
Completely forgot to plug this at the end of the piece. UK edition of my first book on English history published next week. BUY
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saxons-vs-Vikings-Alfred-England/dp/1915952050/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10FBC6WXMTKHX&keywords=saxons+vs+vikings+ed+west&qid=1700569775&sprefix=%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1
American here. I've never been so insulted in my life. Literally shaking. I'm so exhausted.
"He did it, and he was right to do it"
- Dominic Sandbrook.
Hahah
that was the best opinion on the saga.
Yes. Seizing the throne was the only way to prevent his own execution. "You either win or you die" as they say.
If Earl Rivers had become regent then he would surely have brought treason charges against Richard, regardless of evidence, as it would have been illogical for Richard not to be plotting treason.
"Some even jokingly suggest that the king had a hand in helping Leicester City’s miraculous 2016 title win." Jokingly? Look at where Leicester City play their home games and tell me that Richard the *King* didn't have some *Power* over that.
Henry VI was implicated in two miraculous cures in the late 15th century, but Richard III helped Leicester win at 1000/1 odds, so who is really the saint?
Seriously, there was a fairly big cultus of Henry VI, which might have come to something had not a later Henry been incapable of keeping his breeches buttoned. In 1923, Ronald Knox and Shane Leslie published a slim volume (I have a copy) called 'The Miracles of King Henry VI: Being an Account and Translation of Twenty-Three Miracles to be Taken from the Manuscript in the British Museum', and there was a definite groundswell for his canonisation, despite contemporary politics.
Yes, and he was a genuinely saintly figure in some ways (just totally unsuited to ruling a medieval state).
I remember one case of a man who was hanged, cut down and found alive (so let off). who had prayed to the late king.
I tell you what IS very British though. Finding a kings remains buried under a 🅿️ 😂
he's not the only one either!
It is believed that Henry I is buried under one in Reading. The glamour
'a surfeit of lampreys' (Henry of Huntingdon)
is probably my favourite of the how monarchs died stuff
yes, although the poker in the bottom is certainly attention-grabbing.
Can't argue with that. Given the option I'd choose the eels.
It’s incredibly sad that we wrecked all our castles and monasteries. Over men’s egos. Sadder yet that we paved over graves with NCPs! France had an entire bloody revolution and still managed to preserve its historical culture!
yes it was a great loss. Henry VIII was a monster
He really was. He wrecked everything. Cannot stand the Tudors.
The Tudors were the progressives of the 16th century.
Plus he probably has to sign into the app to even be there now. Must owe NCP a mint.
🫡
😂😂😂
For a pleasurably engrossing dive into The Wars of the Roses, you can't do better, in my view, than the BBC tv series The Hollow Crown....(this warm endorsement from a no-great-fan of the BBC in general)
I agree.
no other country but England turned its national history into a popular drama before the age of cinema
Righto. Apart from the people of the Book. The current conflict is just the latest instalment in the protracted daddy issues between Hagar and Sarah’s sons.
I have always been very sympathetic towards Richard III, murders notwithstanding. That is, until I learned that he empowered writers. Murdering child family members is bad, but elevating writers is just too far, sir.
the worst thing he did
'they did a racism'. That's funny.
The 2016 miracle. Why, it is indeed so, Robert Huth doth resemble Richard III.
About Langley and the search for RIII's remains
In May 2004, she visited various sites in Leicester associated with Richard III, including the three car-parks identified in 1975 as possible burial locations. Langley entered the Social Services car park, and at the northern end felt a "strange sensation" come over her, saying "I knew in my innermost being that Richard's body lay there". In 2005, on completing her first draft, she returned to the car park and experienced the same feeling, when she looked down, someone had painted a reserved "R" over the space; she recounted "it told me all I needed to know".
Wow - and she got results!
take that, conventional historians!
Conventional historians nowadays be like let’s lift up the “queer” and “black” identity of the bones
'Women of colour most likely to be killed at Battle of Bosworth' - BBC.
If ever you wanted to win over the Tintagel cranks while being dismissed by those who are skeptical about water divining and the power of amulets, claiming to feel the presence of a long dead king while standing in a Social Services car park would be a good way to go about it.
I used to drive past Middleham Castle, where he was born, every day on the way to school.
This was a lot of fun, great piece.
Did you watch the King in the Car Park special? I appreciate what Langley has done but she came across as incredibly weird to me. They revealed the reconstruction of Richard III's face to her and she got all weepy and said "That's not the face of a tyrant! I'm sorry but it's not!". Among other odd behavior. And the special was incongruously hosted by this goofy comedian guy which made the experience even stranger.
Battle of Stoke Field is interesting it is basically an Irish invasion of England. It is almost forgotten- Cork being the Rebel County also refers to this period. You used to see Cork GAA fans with Confederate flags before that became a faux pas
I imagine Ireland's 87,000 NGOs would probably object to that now.
Thanks Ed I love the Richard III fans but they are mad. There’s a small typo “Tudo’s”
thanks!
When they claimed Simnel and Warbeck looked like sons of Edward IV, which painters were they relying on? :-)
One theory I’ve heard is that Edward IV had so many illegitimate children that loads of young men looked like him.