This text argues that the traditional view of Richard III is very near the truth - Shakespeare's Richard is closer to reality than the image of a betrayed hero favoured by his modern defenders. The author believes the king to have been "the most terrifying man ever to occupy the English throne, not excepting his great nephew Henry VIII. His short life was filled with intrigue and slaughter, and he was the only king of England - other than Harold - to be defeated and killed in battle". In the author's opinion, Richard undoubtedly murdered his nephews, almost certainly his cousin Henry VI and, just possibly, Henry's son as well.
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First Sentence
Richard III was born on 2 October 1452 at Fotheringay in Northamptonshire, sixth and youngest son of the Duke and Duchess of York. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Richard III was born on 2 October 1452 at Fotheringay in Northamptonshire, sixth and youngest son of the Duke and Duchess of York. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By I. J. Sutton
Format:Paperback
I did enjoyed this book, Desmond Seward has a very easy writing style and it was very refreshing to read a book on Richard III that wasn't either gushing or endlessly defending him on every point to justify this historically "maligned" figure.
However I do have one or two issues which irritated me a little. Obviously the author is writing from a negative perspective, but as a result he sometimes comes across as patronising about Richard, northers and even short people, which although not a major issue annoyed me.
Secondly, using Sir (Saint) Thomas Moore as his primary source, the author constantly quoted him then suddenly became somewhat cautious of him entirely. This sometimes confused me.
Ironically, after reading this book I felt a little bit sorry for Richard, something I didn't expect (I personally believe he was responsible for the murder of his nephews and was generally a bit of a black sheep) I would recommend this book, but only as part of wider research.
However I do have one or two issues which irritated me a little. Obviously the author is writing from a negative perspective, but as a result he sometimes comes across as patronising about Richard, northers and even short people, which although not a major issue annoyed me.
Secondly, using Sir (Saint) Thomas Moore as his primary source, the author constantly quoted him then suddenly became somewhat cautious of him entirely. This sometimes confused me.
Ironically, after reading this book I felt a little bit sorry for Richard, something I didn't expect (I personally believe he was responsible for the murder of his nephews and was generally a bit of a black sheep) I would recommend this book, but only as part of wider research.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In my opinion one should not mark down a book about Richard III if you disagree with the author's opinion of him. If it wasn't the case I would have given it 1 star!
Seward wonderfully writes a vehemently anti-Ricardian book. It oozes anti on every page so gloriously it is a joy to read.
Seward's strength is his writing style. It's fast and very easy to read. He's one of the best historical writers out there.
However he takes More at face value ultimately because he thinks More was a saint and would never lie! Seward believes every and I mean every dark tale believed of Richard. I personally believe that Richard probably killed his two nephews as he had to, but some of Seward's arguments are laughable and so school-boyish it was embarrassing to read at times.
A highly entertaining read and a compulsory one for any anti or pro-Ricardians.
Seward wonderfully writes a vehemently anti-Ricardian book. It oozes anti on every page so gloriously it is a joy to read.
Seward's strength is his writing style. It's fast and very easy to read. He's one of the best historical writers out there.
However he takes More at face value ultimately because he thinks More was a saint and would never lie! Seward believes every and I mean every dark tale believed of Richard. I personally believe that Richard probably killed his two nephews as he had to, but some of Seward's arguments are laughable and so school-boyish it was embarrassing to read at times.
A highly entertaining read and a compulsory one for any anti or pro-Ricardians.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By T. Deegan
Format:Paperback
I can't agree with the reviews that think this book is very well researched. I think it is ok but not without mistakes.
While most of the book is ok, Seward gets a few facts quite wrong in places and this weakens some of his arguments. He also appears to take some sources too much at face value and these invariably turn out to be those supporting the "black legend" as he terms it. I personally wouldn't use this book as a wholly reliable reference.
In a few places he also draws barely-supportable inferences with regard to Richard's character from minimal evidence, or at least drops dark hints. I don't think this does much for any claims that he might make to be a disinterested observer. Neither did he endear himself to me at the start by suggesting that those who don't believe in the black legend, fail to do so because they simply can't cope with it or somehow can't bring themselves to believe the awful truth. I thought this was a touch melodramatic- I'm not personally related to Richard III as far as I know and I think I could take it without blubbing if he happened to be as black as sometimes painted.
Quite good but not the very best researched book on Richard in the whole world and in my humble opinion not particularly objective either. I'm afraid I recently gave away my copy.
While most of the book is ok, Seward gets a few facts quite wrong in places and this weakens some of his arguments. He also appears to take some sources too much at face value and these invariably turn out to be those supporting the "black legend" as he terms it. I personally wouldn't use this book as a wholly reliable reference.
In a few places he also draws barely-supportable inferences with regard to Richard's character from minimal evidence, or at least drops dark hints. I don't think this does much for any claims that he might make to be a disinterested observer. Neither did he endear himself to me at the start by suggesting that those who don't believe in the black legend, fail to do so because they simply can't cope with it or somehow can't bring themselves to believe the awful truth. I thought this was a touch melodramatic- I'm not personally related to Richard III as far as I know and I think I could take it without blubbing if he happened to be as black as sometimes painted.
Quite good but not the very best researched book on Richard in the whole world and in my humble opinion not particularly objective either. I'm afraid I recently gave away my copy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A plausible account of a brief and troubled reign
It has become fashionable to try to resurrect Richard III's reputation as a maligned but unfortunate monarch in a time of civil war. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Fiction Fan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pushes the Argument too Far, but a Good Corrective
Richard III, having been vilified for so long, probably did need to be rescued from his defenders when Desmond Seward wrote this book. Read more
Published on 20 May 2004 by "iain_dowell"
1.0 out of 5 stars
This is a truly dreadful book!
This book is described as a 'definitive picture of both the man and his age' when all it is is an apology for the discredited testimony of Thomas More. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2002 by zim.smith@tesco.net
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
not really a review just to comment that as a 15thC historian this is prehaps the best referance book i have ever found!! Read more
Published on 9 July 2001
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well written and researched and highly enjoyable.
Desmond Seward argues there are three theories of Richard III - the 'white legend', the 'grey legend' and the 'black legend' of Shakespeare. Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2000 by brontew@ozonline.com.au
4.0 out of 5 stars
Accurate account of Richard's life by a life-long student
This book is valuable from the angle that the Author has experienced the story from both sides of the arguement, as a one-time believer in the "White Legend", the... Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2000
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