Richard III acted decisively! | 1483, the Year of the 3 kings

Historian Nathen Amin sat down with me at Warwick Words History Festival before his talk on "The year of the 3 kings, 1483" to discuss Edward IV's lack of forward planning, the course of events which brought Edward V to London and into the Tower, and when Nathen thinks Richard, then Duke of Gloucester, decided he should not just act as Regent for his nephew, but take his crown and become king.

Useful timestamps in this episode:

00:00 - The significance of 1483: Year of the Three Kings

00:14 - Edward IV's reign and sudden death at 40

00:57 - Edward IV’s physical transformation and health neglect

01:24 - Succession challenges with young princes

02:23 - Rival factions: Woodvilles vs. Richard of Gloucester

03:17 - Could Edward IV have prepared better for his death?

03:54 - The importance of securing the heir in medieval rulership

04:23 - Fears of vulnerability when the king is a child

05:24 - The influence of male ambitions after Edward IV’s death

06:11 - The movement of Edward V and the importance of his return to London

06:40 - The importance of the princes’ crowning and the rise of Richard

07:10 - The political tension with Lord Hastings and the Woodville family

07:40 - Richard’s diplomatic position and the meeting in Northamptonshire

08:08 - Elizabeth Woodville’s reaction and her flight into sanctuary

09:06 - The decision to move the princes to the Tower

09:34 - The arrest of Lord Hastings and the centralization of Richard’s power

10:32 - Richard’s assumption of Lord Protector and consolidating authority

11:01 - Elizabeth Woodville’s flight and the rising tensions

11:31 - The move of the princes into the Tower of London

12:28 - The infamous execution of Lord Hastings and Richard’s ruthlessness

13:28 - Richard’s strategic moves and the escalation of violence

14:27 - Threats to Richard’s power in the North and the Neville lands

15:27 - Richard’s swift consolidation of power and the downfall of rivals

16:26 - The anonymous sermon condemning the princes and Richard’s rapid rise

17:25 - Richard’s strategic decisions and the perception of his ruthlessness

18:10 - The debate over the legitimacy of the princes

18:49 - Richard’s potential motives about the princes’ legitimacy and accusations

19:19 - The evidence (or lack thereof) around the princes’ deaths and legitimacy

20:16 - The political context of Richard’s usurpation

21:12 - The legitimacy of Richard’s claim and the legitimacy law

21:42 - Richard’s legal justifications, including Titulus Regius

22:08 - The question of the princes’ legitimacy and Richard’s evidence

22:39 - The political manipulation and timing of Richard’s actions

23:08 - Richard’s rapid moves and the urgency of power consolidation

24:21 - The moral and religious conflict faced by Richard

24:48 - Richard’s faith and the justification of ruthless acts

25:17 - The medieval kingship and divine justification for harsh decisions

25:46 - Parallels with modern leadership and the justifications for tough choices

26:09 - Closing remarks and thanks

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About Philippa

Philippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events.

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