Richard III and the Stability of England

807 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The complex character of richard ii

Richard III and the Stability of England

Richard became King of England on July the sixth 1483 after the heir

to the throne was proclaimed illegitimate. Whether this claim was true

or not is questionable. During Richards reign, the stability of

England has been debated. Was he the ruler England needed to end the

'Wars of the Roses' and bring stability back to the English people? Or

did he cause England to be restless and unsettled? Is it a good thing

that Henry Tudor defeated him in the Battle of Bosworth? This essay

will look at the different points, which, under the reign of Richard

III made the country stable or unstable.

England under Richard III was stable in that he had lots of

experience. He had been made ruler of the North of England in 1471 and

had been allowed to Marry Anne due to his loyalty to his brother

Edward IV whilst he was King. He was a loyal supporter even when

Edwards other brother Duke Of Clarence became a traitor and sided with

Edwards enemies. The fact that he had already had experience in ruling

land meant that he knew what he was doing. This helped to maintain

stability. He was successful in putting an end to the Wars of the

Roses because of his ability to appeal to lots of people. He was a

powerful manipulator and he was able to put their minds at ease by

telling them how stable and strong the country was.

Richard also made England stable because of the simple fact that he

was not a minor and Edward V was. If Edward had been crowned England

would have been under turmoil because the choice of people who would

want to help Edward run the country would have caused upset and unrest

amongst them. Ric...

... middle of paper ...

...ellions suggest that England under Richard III was unstable.

The very fact that there were rebellions means that many people were

unhappy with Richard and the way the country was being run. These

influences would have unsettled people who mightn't otherwise question

the way the country was being run.

After explaining both sides of the argument the conclusion is that

England was unstable under the rule of Richard III. Although he had

popularity, he didn't have the loyal aristocratic support he needed to

run the country. Some people thought he was the rightful king but many

others doubted him due to the executions. The majority were just

waiting for Henry Tudor to come along and side with them. He

maintained the country as well as he could but nothing could stop his

enemies plotting together to undermine his authority.

Show More
Related

  • Foreign Support Was Vastly Important for Henry Tudor in Richard III's Defeat at Bosworth

    866 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...The foreign support that Henry received was pivotal in starting Henry Tudor’s second attempt at invading England as otherwise he would never have been able to land and gather troops and support from domestic sources. However, once in England the support that Henry gained from welsh and English nobles and Barons meant that he was able to face Richard and defeat him at the Battle of Bosworth. Whilst support is vastly important in explaining Richard’s defeat, other factors such as Richard’s mistakes like policies that drained the Treasury (e.g. the war against Scotland) are to blame. This particular mistake prevented Richard from being able to stop Tudor from crossing the channel, and so it was left up to nobles Richard believed to be loyal to resist the invasion, this belief also backfired when Rhys ap Thomas joined Henry when he was promised the Lieutenancy of Wales.

    Read More

  • The Extent to Which Tudor Rebellions Have Similar Causes

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    Henry VIII’s reign was a turning point in the Tudor period as it signified an end to Yorkist pretenders to the throne and it was at this point that the idea of regicide... ... middle of paper ... ... to support them in their rebellions. There was now a widening social gap that created tension as the gentry attempted to emulate the nobility. As although the Cloth trade in Kent was declining in 1554 Wyatt’s rebellion had no real socio – economic cause and the Northern Earls in 1569 and Essex in 1601 had no socio –economic causes whatsoever.

    Read More

  • To What Extent Was Parliament To Blame For The English Civil War

    1894 Words  | 4 Pages

    The eventual breakdown of severing relations between Charles I and Parliament gave way to a brutal and bloody English Civil War. However, the extent that Parliament was to blame for the collapse of cooperation between them and ultimately war, was arguably only to a moderate extent. This is because Parliament merely acted in defiance of King Charles I’s harsh personal rule, by implementing controlling legislation, attacking his ruthless advisors and encouraging public opinion against him. These actions however only proceeded Charles I’s personal abuse of his power, which first and foremost exacerbated public opinion against his rule. This was worsened

    Read More

  • Comparison of King Richard III and Looking for Richard

    1514 Words  | 4 Pages

    Composers throughout various zeitgeists are linked by different representations of universal human concerns, and their texts simultaneously embody certain values and agendas individual to themselves. An exploration of Shakespeare’s King Richard III (1592) and Al Pacino’s Looking for Richard (1996) allows for a greater understanding of the composer’s respective contexts, along with their intended agendas, through the lens of their own societal values and concerns. The manipulation of Richard III’s persona, whether by authorial adaptation of historical sources related to his character, or through the differing views of Richards motives, are universal concepts, that when studied in relation to the differing time periods, accentuates the context and our understanding of recurrent aspects of the human experience.

    Read More

  • Richard III's Usurpation and His Downfall

    687 Words  | 2 Pages

    Richard III's Usurpation and His Downfall Richards rule was always unstable due to his unlawful usurpation to the throne and his part as far as the public was concerned in the death of the two princes. As a result right from the start he didn't have the trust or support from his country. As soon as he became King people were already plotting against him. After he was crowned he travelled the country trying to raise support by refusing the generous gifts offered to him by various cities. However unknown to him a rebellion was been planned in the South.

    Read More

  • Edward IV's Reign and Success

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    middle of paper ... ... he Marches of Wales in order to secure his son’s power base there, but this was not enough. Of course, his early death did contribute to his son’s usurpation and this was a matter beyond his control but perhaps he could have secured his son’s position if he had not relied so heavily on Gloucester or married into such an unpopular family, amongst other things. Edward’s reign was mainly prosperous. He had many successes in all aspects of his kingly duties.

    Read More

  • Richard III and Looking For Richard Connections

    942 Words  | 2 Pages

    To explore connections between texts is to heighten understanding of humanity’s progressing values and the underlying relevant themes that continue to engage societies regardless of context. William Shakespeare’s King Richard III (1592) (RIII) and Al Pacino’s docudrama Looking for Richard (1996) (LFR) demonstrate how opinion is created through comparative study, both explore the struggle for power within differing contexts to determine the duplicity of humanity. Ultimately, despite the divergent eras of composition and textual form, these connections expose the relevant social commentaries of their composers, highlighting innately human values, which remain constant.

    Read More

  • Providentialism In King Richard III

    708 Words  | 2 Pages

    The content and construction of texts are inexorably influenced by the plethora of social, cultural, and historical factors relative to a composer’s context. Context thus becomes the principle medium for deciphering the complex and often didactic meanings within texts. Through the comparative study of Shakespeare’s historical tragedy King Richard III and Al Pacino’s postmodern docudrama Looking For Richard, both texts explore the various connections explored through the protagonist Richard with respective societal influence affecting their portrayal. Shakespeare’s text strongly conveys a sense of providentialism which was influential by the Tudor monarchy whilst Al Pacino thorough the implement of modern day media portrays these influences to a secular, postmodern audience.

    Read More

  • The Director's Notes on Richard III

    882 Words  | 2 Pages

    Anne is quite like a modern woman in the way that if a man tells her

    Read More

  • The Loss of the Throne by Richard III

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Loss of the Throne by Richard III There are many views as to whether Richard III lost his throne, or if it was a mainly Tudor advance which secured it. Overall I think that Henry Tudor did not actively gain the throne decisively, in fact Richard III lost it from making key mistakes throughout his reign, and at Bosworth. Richard weakened his grasp on the throne by indulging in a vast plantations policy which gave too much power to Northerners and inevitably made him dependant on these few. The fact that Northerners were given such a huge dependence enraged the South, and rid Richard of many possible backers during a war. Richard had also been so determined to suppress any rebellions and secure Henry Tudors downfall that he spent vast National funds on these ventures.

    Read More

  • Film Analysis: The Lion In Winter

    1465 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...historical background set forth in the film, with the broad details of the attempted rebellion propelled by Queen Eleanor and led by Richard and Geoffrey are accurate, as is the attempt by Philip of France to undermine the Angevin Empire to regain the provinces acquired by Henry through his marriage to Eleanor. As depicted in the film, the indecision, faced by Henry II in attempting to determine which son to name as successor resulted from his desire to have the empire that he had created remain intact, rather than dividing the empire between his sons and this, in turn, led to the fracturing of both family and political cohesion, leaving the empire vulnerable to outside forces. Both Richard and John eventually ruled the empire, supported and influenced by their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was released from her Salisbury prison upon the death of King Henry II.

    Read More

  • Causes Of Instability In Henry Vi's

    1040 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although there are many examples of extreme factors that contributed to instability of England. Other historians talk say that the loss of Normandy did have a huge effect on England and English rule at the time and still is the major contributor to the Battle of St. Albans which would be the start of War of the

    Read More

  • Shakespeare's King Richard III And The Problematics Of Tudor Bastardy?

    1117 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his article, "Shakespeare 's King Richard III and the Problematics of Tudor Bastardy", Maurice Hunt gives a convincing (dare I say legitimate!) argument for why he believes Shakespeare took a large risk writing and performing his play King Richard III during the life of Queen Elizabeth I. Knowing the challenges Elizabeth faced during her childhood and into her reign because of her father, King Henry VIII 's ever-changing mind whether or not she was a legitimate heir or a bastard, I agree with Hunt in the fact Shakespeare took a huge risk with his performances of Richard III, if in fact she did see the performance which is something I will be touching on later on, but for the sake of the review of his article I will be focusing on his argument based on Elizabeth being present. Hunt also spends a great deal explaining the history of bastardry in the Tudor family so that we can understand why that

    Read More

  • Victorian Women in the Work Force

    2867 Words  | 6 Pages

    From 1760-1820, King George III ruled England, inheriting the throne from his grandfather and father, King George I and II, respectively. He was responsible for ending the long governmental control by the Whigs, yet many conflicts arose as a result of his abuse of his patronage powers. Campaigns of criticism were created by politicians throughout the country, eventually driving the King to go insane, thus forcing him to give up the throne. After his demoralizing reign, England was seeking a person capable of improving the British Empire’s economic and social situation. With no legitimate heir to the throne, Alexandrina Victoria became the Queen of England, marking the ...

    Read More

  • Richard II Essay: The Characters of Bolingbroke and Richard II

    860 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nevertheless, as a man of action, Bolingbroke has achieved for himself the goal of retrieving his father Gaunt's estates and much more. He, in the end, is king, King Henry IV. And though Richard as king was full of pomp and ceremony, those things were no match for ambition carried to its fullest. His strong words belied incompetence as a ruler, and he could not hold his position. It seems that it was inevitable that Bolingbroke would be the victor at last. Richard should have taken more note of his usurper, before he was such, this man he called "[Gaunt's] bold son" (1.1.3).

    Read More

More about Richard III and the Stability of England

Open Document