Richard III: England's Most Controversial King

by Chris Skidmore

Book Overview

From acclaimed historian Chris Skidmore comes the authoritative biography of Richard III, England's most controversial king, a man alternately praised as a saint and cursed as a villain. Richard III... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250045487
• ISBN13: 9781250045485
• Release Date: April 2018
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Skidmore's "Richard III" is an Outstanding Read

Chris Skidmore's, Richard III is an exciting history which describes the entire life, times and main events of England's last Plantagenet King. This history shows clearly the author's careful and detailed research, from which long past events are described, weighed and given possible interpretations. This approach, helped this reader better understand why Richard could be motivated to turn so drastically against his nephew Edward V, after Richard was for so many years, the main military and political supporter of the former king, his deceased brother, King Edward IV. The depth of Skidmore's history is especially valuable because we can only surmise a range of possible reasons behind Richard's coup and his campaign against the Woodville's influence. There are many unanswered questions about Richard's rule that are still debated to this day. The book does contain a wealth of details and also shows different perspectives of how Richard was perceived as a king during his reign. Surprisingly Skidmore can point to evidence that Richard III brought the implementation of many progressive ideas to his rule. Although he is shown to be a ruthless person to anyone who opposed him, it is made clear that he supported institutions of learning, promoted music and advanced legal protection for those accused in the law courts. I found this book to be an excellent follow up to Skidmore's earlier book "The Rise of the Tudors" which I also enjoyed very much. The book also offers vivid and poignant descriptions of key persons and how they interacted in Richard's life Some of the key players in the drama of Richard's life include: Edward IV, Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Hastings, Anthony Woodville, Edward V, Henry VI, Lord Stanley, the Duke of Clarence, the Kingmaker and his daughters, Elizabeth of York and then finally Richard's nemesis, Henry Tudor. Skidmore has included interesting and pertinent illustrations, maps, genealogical tables, notes on money and dates as well as an intriguing introduction. The book is divided into 3 parts that reflect chronologically, the main roles that defined Richard adult life. These 3 sections are under the headings of Brother, Protector and King. Skidmore writes in a clear and direct manner that I found very readable. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Richard III. Rune Vibegaard