Richard III and the Murder in the Tower

By: Peter A. Hancock

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Since Tudor times, Richard III has been painted as the "black legend", the murderous uncle - however, the truth is much more complicated and interesting.

Richard III is accused of murdering his nephews, the "Princes in the Tower", in order to usurp the throne of England, but this book tells a different story. Rather than looking at all the killings Richard III did not commit, this account focuses on the one judicial murder for which we know that he was responsible. On June 13, 1483, William, Lord Hastings, was hustled from a meeting of the Royal Council and summarily executed on Tower Green within the confines of the Tower of London. This book sheds light on the mystery of this precipitate and unadvised action by the then Duke of Gloucester and reveals the key role of William Catesby in Richard's ascent to the throne of England. It explains his curious actions during that tumultuous summer of three kings and provides an explanation for the fate of the "Princes in the Tower".

©2011 Peter A. Hancock (P)2017 Tantor

Don't listen to the Apologist Review

Anyone interested in learning more about the events that transpired during Richards brief reign should enjoy this book. I would be the first to advise against wasting your time if it applies in this short but informative book. If you enjoy all things War of the Roses or Richard III you should absorb this as well.

Richard III apologist

This book is basically a lot of speculation based scant evidence. It ignores the fact that Richard III first tried to have Edward IV declared illegitimate because he didn’t resemble their father like Richard himself did (which his mother totally did not appreciate). When that didn’t work, then Richard presented the claim that Edward had been pre-contracted to marry Eleanor Butler before he married Elizabeth Woodville. Any timeline about when Richard first decided to take the throne needs to consider both these facts.