Richard III Interesting Facts

1 His word was law

Once, during a quarrel, he is said to have declared that he would not eat his supper until Lord Hasting’s head was off its shoulders. Richard’s soldiers dragged the unfortunate Hastings from the chamber. He was then executed immediately, without trial, using a makeshift block.

2 Brave and stubborn til the end

Richard died at the Battle of Bosworth Field, ending the Wars of the Roses. Historians say he refused to flee even though his death was certain. He was the last king to die in battle.

3 Buried without ceremony

Henry VII is said to have paid for a simple stone coffin for Richard. He was buried at Greyfriars Abbey. Years later his coffin supposedly became a horse trough and eventually part of a flight of stairs leading to a pub cellar.

4 An ignominious end

In 2015 his remains were reburied in Leicester Cathedral having been found underneath a nearby car park two years earlier.

5 Last of his line

Richard was the last monarch from the House of York. He was also the last Plantagenet king, as well as the last of the medieval kings.

6 An unforgettable reign

Richard was King for just two years but he left a foul legacy. He is suspected of having played a part in the murder of his brother George, two nephews and a former King. He ordered the immediate execution of a former friend, Lord Hastings. He executed the relatives of his nephew, Edward V. Despite promising not to raise taxes during his reign, he was deeply unpopular with his subjects. The presumed murder of his nephews shocked his people. His reputation as a murderer remains to this day.

7 Famous for saying…

At the Battle of Bosworth Richard’s favourite horse, White Surrey, was killed as he sat astride. He is alleged to have shouted ‘a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!’

8 Richard III Society

The Richard III society is dedicated to reassessing the reputation of this former king of England. They believe that apologists for Henry VII cast Richard III as a villain in order to justify Henry’s actions. Henry became the first Tudor monarch after taking Richard’s crown at the Battle of Bosworth.