How King Richard III ruled his kingdom during a very brief, two-year reign.
In his short reign of 18 months, King Richard III of England had planned to become an extension of his brother, Edward's reign, however, after much scrutiny he began to regard Edward's kingship ruled with errors and sought to correct them. Richard of the "good heart" and tender emotion for his beloved older brother, wished not to malign Edward's name but to preserve it in a goodly manner. Inwardly, Richard knew that his brother's reign had been taunted by malicious "friends" and "family members" who meant to distract him from his duties. Edward IV had been tormented by his own cousin, Richard Neville, and by his own brother, George, Duke of Clarence, who sided with Neville, known as the "kingmaker," when the "kingmaker" went looking for a new king with whom to replace Edward. The turmoil that resulted, having been witnessed by Richard, prompted him a lack of trusting those around him despite how closely attached or related they were to him.
Richard knew there had been a conspiracy afoot during Edward's reign, just as he was well-aware that there might be another targeting him.
Richard also wanted to protect Edward's family, and he must have considered that young Prince Edward V would stand in jeopardy should he take the throne. It seems a family secret that might involve Edward's illegitimacy found its way to the Duke of Gloucester and he acted upon it, having legally declared his brother and children as illegitimate heirs to the throne, which then became his. What some thought to be a crude deception on Richard's part was, actually, not what it seemed. Richard wanted to protect the Queen and her children for fear they would suffer the same fate as he believed was done to his brother, the king. It was believed that Edward IV was poisoned. During this same period rumor was passed that Richard had every intention of marrying his niece, Edward's eldest daughter, Elizabeth, however, it was clear fact that his intentions were based upon protecting them. "Richard did orchestrate marriages for his nieces, perhaps knowing that they were less of a threat if he married them off to loyal men, making it harder for figures like Henry Tudor to use them as political pawns. Cecily’s younger sister, Anne, once been betrothed to Philip of Burgundy, was betrothed instead to Thomas Howard, heir to the dukedom of Norfolk. As for Cecily, she was married to Ralph Scrope of Upsall, second son of Thomas, the fifth Baron Scrope of Masham.
Richard's legacy may finally glow when we learn the truth about the fate of the princes, so stay tuned for that day may be here sooner than we know.
Richard III's kingdom was furthest removed from the tyrannical dictatorship often religated to him by cruel and jealous haters of the House of York and the one son whom they accused of criminal injustices. Richard would have none of it. He was a good Christian king, pious in his faith. His desire was to bring about peace to all, however, those "haters" prompted in him a desire to punish them and all other enemies of the throne. Richard was a peacemaker, though it became reasonably difficult to keep peace when so many tormented him by mere perception of disloyalty. One example of Richard's peace-keeping desires came about in the fall of 1484 after a riot broke out in the city of York. Richard had no intention of punishing the culprits, but, rather, preferred to lecture them regarding the err of their ways. Richard III was fair to his court and to the citizens. Of his Lords and Gentrys, he expected to find them just to those they governed. Richard III's heart was for the people, and they knew it and loved him for it.
Some of Richard's laws regarding the citizens began with those
who governed over them. Richard was fair, and he was just. A command was given
to the Constable Sir Marmaduke to abolish "livery and maintenance," and to
"discharge all county bailiffs who had been practicing oppressions and extortions
upon the common people."
Richard watched over his kingdom like a shepherd carefully
guarding his flock. He spoke to the people and allowed them to speak to him
of their grievances. Quick to learn that a Vicar-General had fraudulently
deprived a man of his living, Richard ordered a warrant demanding that the
Vicar refund the victim. Even through rebellion and/or conspiracy, Richard
payed good mind to what might be trivial matters to him at the time, but not
to his people. Another man, a diligent clerk at the office of Privy Seal was
overlooked for a promotion. He grieved that status and the king came to his
defence by so ordering a warrant to John Gunthorpe, keeper of the "Privy Seal"
to "discharge Richard Bele from his place in the office of said Privy Seal,
to which he had admitted contrary to the old rule and due order, by means
of giving of great gifts and other sinister and ungodly ways in great discouraging
of the underclerks, which have long continued therein, to have the experience
of the same--to see a stranger, never brought up in the said office, to put
them by of their promotion."
At 30 years old, King Richard III of England ruled with the
aspiration of becoming a good and fair king. He coddled the poor and established
trust with the middle class. He continued to keep on top of municipal offenders
of the people. During his first year as King of England, Richard III "granted
governing privileges, presents of money, and partial remission of royal fees
to no less than eighteen towns in all quarters of the kingdom."
May 1485. Three months before Richard's death at the Battle
of Bosworth, he sent off a lengthy letter to the Mayor of Coventry, an example
of Richard's pride in his ability to govern fairly, to wit: "...It is
come unto our knowledge how that ye have late full laudably with great diligence
applied you to the observing and executing of such sad (serious) directions
and substantial ordinances amongst you according to our writing late directed
unto you, and dissensions, variances and discords set apart to the honour
and weal of our city there: for the which we greatly laud and commend your
sadness and circumspect wisdoms, and thank you heartily for the same, willing
and exhorting you that like as ye have begun and done ye will diligently ensure
the perfect continuance of the same."
Richard continued to make himself available for appeals and granted the people of the under classes the protection of justice. In the two years he reigned as King of England, Richard III had accomplished much including maintaining certain strong points of order begun by his brother, Edward IV, such as continuing with a "strong central government." To this Richard added a dash of compassion, sentimentality, and traditional values in dealing with and respecting the local citizens.
Richard III was the great protector, a trait born of his nature. He protected his brother's memory and works; he protected his kingdom overall including his allies and lands; he protected the citizenry; he protected those closest to him, and, so, it is without wonder that one should understand his undertaking of the self- appointed position of "Lord Protector" over his two nephews, Edward V, future king, and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York. Considering Richard's urgency to offer protection, guidance, and fairness to those in need, foretells of a man who bore two souls: that of a true and determined warrior, and that of a gentle, paternal figure. Considering this, and also that the air of conspiracy grew thick around the king, it is difficult to believe that King Richard III of England would have killed his nephews. More is the case that he would have sought to protect the princes by removing them from the residence and having them brought elsewhere to safety. It remains inconceivable that Richard III could stand accused, for centuries, of such a heinous act without any proof whatsoever that the boys had ever been killed!
1. www.rebeccastarbrown.com
2. 'Richard III - Paul Murray Kendall | Chapter VIII "Man and Governor" pp. 370 ¶ 3
3. 'Richard III - Paul Murray Kendall | Chapter VIII "Man and Governor" pp. 371 ¶ 2
4. 'Richard III - Paul Murray Kendall | Chapter VIII "Man and Governor" pp. 371-372 and Coventry Leet Book pp. 523-24
5. 'Richard III - Paul Murray Kendall | Chapter VIII "Man and Governor" pp. 373 ¶ 2
6. 'Richard III - Paul Murray Kendall | Chapter VIII "Man and Governor" pp. 371-374
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