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Richard III: The Last Plantagenet King, Illustrated by Henry Selous

Carson Blair

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Richard III was the last king of the House of Plantagenet, a dynasty that had ruled England for over 300 years. His reign was short and tumultuous, and he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, bringing an end to the War of the Roses. Richard has been a controversial figure throughout history, with some historians portraying him as a ruthless tyrant and others seeing him as a victim of Tudor propaganda.

King Richard III. With Henry Selous's illustrations.

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3448 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	214 pages

Portrait Of Richard III By An Unknown Artist, C. 1483 King Richard III With Henry Selous S Illustrations

Early Life

Richard was born on 2 October 1452, at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire. He was the youngest son of Richard, Duke of York, and Cecily Neville. His father was a claimant to the English throne, and Richard grew up in a world of political intrigue and violence.

In 1460, Richard's father was killed at the Battle of Wakefield, and his older brother, Edward, became king. Richard remained loyal to Edward throughout his reign, and he fought bravely for him at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

Reign

Edward IV died in 1483, and Richard became king. He was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 6 July 1483. Richard's reign was short and troubled. He was unpopular with many of the nobility, and he faced several rebellions.

Richard III Being Crowned At Westminster Abbey, 1483, By Henry Selous King Richard III With Henry Selous S Illustrations — Richard III being crowned at Westminster Abbey, 1483, by Henry Selous

In 1484, Richard's brother, George, Duke of Clarence, was executed for treason. This event further alienated many of Richard's supporters. In 1485, Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, invaded England with a small army. Richard met Henry at the Battle of Bosworth Field on 22 August 1485. Richard was killed in the battle, and Henry became king.

Death and Legacy

Richard III was buried at Greyfriars Church in Leicester, but his body was later lost. In 2012, archaeologists discovered Richard's remains beneath a car park in Leicester. His body was reburied at Leicester Cathedral in 2015.

Richard III has been a controversial figure throughout history. Some historians have portrayed him as a ruthless tyrant, while others have seen him as a victim of Tudor propaganda. The discovery of his remains in 2012 has renewed interest in Richard, and he remains a fascinating and enigmatic figure.

Illustrations by Henry Selous

The illustrations in this article are by the renowned wildlife artist Henry Selous. Selous was born in London in 1851, and he traveled extensively throughout Africa, hunting and collecting specimens. He was also a talented artist, and he illustrated many books on natural history.

Richard III Hunting In Windsor Forest, By Henry Selous King Richard III With Henry Selous S Illustrations

Selous' illustrations for this article are full of life and detail. They depict Richard III as a complex and enigmatic figure, and they help to bring the history of this period to life.

Richard III was a complex and controversial figure who reigned over England for a brief but tumultuous period. He was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and his death marked the end of the War of the Roses. Richard has been portrayed as both a ruthless tyrant and a victim of Tudor propaganda, and he remains a fascinating and enigmatic figure. The illustrations in this article by Henry Selous help to bring the history of this period to life and provide a unique glimpse into the world of Richard III.

King Richard III. With Henry Selous's illustrations.

4.1 out of 5