Richard III

ISBN-13: 9780415462808 / Angielski / Twarda / 2010 / 288 str.

David Hipshon

Opis

Despite reigning for only a relatively short period of time, Richard III is one of England's most controversial monarchs. His life and rule has inspired a huge amount of literature, not least Shakespeare's great play, and controversy still surrounds his seizure of the throne in 1485, the mystery of the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower, and his defeat and death at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. This new biography takes a nuanced view both of Richard III's reign and of the controversies surrounding it, exploring them in the wider context of the period. Defining Richard's character as central to the analysis of his actions, David Hipshon emphasises the need to separate the man himself from the caricature that has so often been painted. Incorporating new research and previously unpublished material, this book is a must-read for all those interested both in Richard III as king, and in the development of the English monarchy and society at the end of the medieval era and the beginning of the early modern period.

Richard III is one of England’s most controversial monarchs. In this new biography, David Hipshon introduces us to a more nuanced Richard than has previously been portrayed, analyzing both his reign and the controversies around it that have endured to the present day. The fascination with the riddles surrounding Richard’s seizure of the throne in 1483, the supposed murder of the Princes in the Tower and Richard’s defeat and death on the battlefield at Bosworth in 1485 are placed in the wider context of the period and of the ever growing debate over Richard’s character.

Placing Richard's character at the centre of analysis of his actions, the book explores his early life, his period as a lieutenant of Edward IV and then his reign as king, examining his influences, his faith, literary interests and devotion to chivalric ideals.

This fascinating new biography is a must-read for all those interested in both Richard III as king and the development of the English monarchy and society at the end of the medieval era and the beginning of the early modern period.

Spis treści

Introduction  1. The Son of York: 1452- 1461  2. Duke of Gloucester: 1461- 1469  3. Duke of Gloucester: 1469- 1471  4. Lord of the North: 1471- 1483  5. The Usurpation: 1483  6. The Reign 1: Buckingham’s Rebellion, 1483- 1484  7. The Reign 2: Governing the Realm: 1483- 1485  8. The Reign 3: The Politics of Kingship  Conclusion

O autorze

David Hipshon is Assistant Head at St James Independent School in Ashford, Surrey. He has published articles in the Journal of Ecclesiastical History, BBC History and History Review, and gives many public lectures on Medieval themes.