Richard III

Child-murderer, arch villain, failed monarch, ‘northern’. Have efforts to redeem Richard III succeeded or is he still one of history’s worst kings?

By no stretch of the imagination was Richard III a saint, but the furore that sprung up around his discovery and reburial was strongly reminiscent of a medieval cult of sainthood.

Speculation about the illegitimacy of England’s royal lines has been encouraged by the publication of the DNA of the last Yorkist king. But, argues Ian Mortimer, it is history rather than science that should lead the debate.

Chris Skidmore praises Colin Richmond’s 1985 article, which offered a new theory, later confirmed, about the true location of one of the most famous battles in English history.

Stephen Cooper and Ashley Cooper consider how the deeds of Richard III, still controversial today, were judged by his contemporaries.

Shakespeare’s enormous influence in shaping subsequent concepts of 15th-century England is nowhere better illustrated than in the case of the character of Richard III. 

We downplay terrible acts from the distant past, in a way that we never would when considering more recent crimes, says Tim Stanley.

A topical take on the last Plantagent ruler in this cartoon by Rob Murray.

The Richard III Society are proclaiming the discovery of the king's body as vindication of their campaign to rehabilitate their hero. But it is nothing of the sort.

Paul Lay reflects on the seemingly endless fascination with Richard's usurpers.