The Three Richards Richard I, Richard II and Richard III

by Saul, Nigel

• ISBN13: 9781852855215
• ISBN10: 1852855215
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-06-19
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

The three Richards who ruled England in the Middle Ages were among the most controversial and celebrated of its rulers. Richard I ('Coeur de Lion', 1189-99) was a great crusading hero; Richard II (1377-99) was an authoritarian aesthete deposed by his cousin, Henry IV, and murdered; while Richard III (1483-85), as the murderer of his nephews, The Princes in the Tower, was the most notorious villain in English history. This highly readable joint biography shows how much the three kings had in common, apart from their names. All were younger sons of, not expected to come to the throne; all failed to leave a legitimate heir, causing instability on their deaths; all were cultured and pious; and all died violently. All have attracted accusations but also fascination. In comparing them, Nigel Saul tells three gripping stories and shows what it took to be a medieval king.

Author Biography

Nigel Saul is Professor of History at Royal Holloway, University of London

Table of Contents

Illustrations	p. vii
Acknowledgements	p. ix
What's in a Name?	p. 1
Kingship in Medieval England	p. 21
Richard I	p. 35
Richard II	p. 49
Richard III	p. 67
Kingship, Chivalry and Warfare	p. 83
Every Inch a King	p. 109
Marriage and Family	p. 135
Kingship and Piety	p. 165
Sad Stories of the Death of Kings	p. 199
What's in a Face?	p. 231
Appendix	p. 243
Notes	p. 245
Bibliography	p. 271
Index	p. 283
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