r/Richardthethird

Hey Richardians! I'm u/Horror_Armadillo7972 AKA Em, the founding moderator of r/Richardthethird. When I'm not reading essays, in a bookstore or making tea, I'm thinking about Richard. But this can often overlap.

This is the subreddit for all things related to King Richard III, the Last Plantagent king and last English monarch to die in battle who reigned from 1483 to 1485.

What to Post
All things Richard related! I usually relish in Richard's mentions in literature or arts but still love to dabble in the history of his reign and life. People linked to Richard, things of his death/burial, discussions on Bosworth and all in between. All welcome here!

War of The Roses, Hundred Year War and overall medieval discussions all encouraged too.

Obviously I'm aware Richard isn't the most respected or loved king (mainly thanks to the Tudors...but I'll stay out of that now) so opinions are likely to be varying. All discussions and debates are allowed but keep it civil and kind. At the end of the day we're all just nerdy history buffs.

Feel free to ask questions, advise on posts or give ideas!

Hi guys. So nice to find such a welcoming community for such a niche interest! I recently found out my wife of 24 years (soon to be 25!) Has become especially interested in Richard iii lore over recent years. Now, let’s provide some context here; my wife is a VERY freaky woman (i am quite a vanilla man myself but willing to explore for her.) . For our silver anniversary, i thought id treat her to a richard iii bedroom experience. Does anyone know where i could find a richard iii costume or richard iii themed sex toys? Bit of a niche question but if you don’t ask you don’t get mate haha x just a unique gift for a unique gal 😂😂

Perhaps this is too boring or common of a question but nonetheless, it is still a relevant one. I suppose it boils down to the even more common question - did he kill the princes to take the throne for himself? He was closely related to the young and short-lived King Edward, therefore technically making himself closer to the throne than Henry VII who had his claim from the legitimed son of John Of Gaunt. 
While reading the journal article Richard III--Usurper or Lawful King? By Mortimer Levine (which made me write this post) I learnt about Edward IV (Richard’s brother) rumoured marriage to Eleanor Butler before Elizabeth Woodville therefore making his sons and their claim illegitimate, meaning Richard is our only legitimate heir at the time of Edward’s death. This idea is somewhat new to me, I briefly came across it while watching The White Queen miniseries years ago. But I also take Phillipa Gregory’s ideas with a pinch of salt and even then, I never realised how it would affect Richard and his claim if true. 
However, this idea is slightly disproven since the princes were born after Eleanor Butler’s death, making their claim legitimate once again. After some more research on this, I see that this idea during Richard’s time was possibly enforced with intimidation. 

Now, time to drift away from educated guesses and learnt knowledge and time for some spouting of my own. The idea that he “seized” the throne never sat right with me and not just because I often defend him with my life. For the sake of this one argument, let’s say the princes were not killed by Richard. He did not seize the throne, he had a claim as Edward’s brother and the boy’s uncle. There was no vicious battle or bloodshed to take the throne and from contemporary accounts, he was a good king and well liked. I’ve done a previous post about attitudes to his kingship but due to his short reign, not much was achieved. However we do have more extensive records about attitudes to him during Edward’s reign and his ruling in the North. He was well liked, seen as a just and fair ruler, especially in York where he is most commonly associated with now. 

Now having read Sky History’s Richard III: Hero or Villain? I’m gladdened to see that most modern historians take my side. “Richard was not a usurper because by its very definition it is someone who seizes power; in this regard, power was offered to Richard.” 

Please do take all of this with a pinch of salt. Most of my posts are very well researched before hand but I wrote this quickly and did do a bit of a brain dump so do feel free to correct me at any points…just try not to be too mean about it.
Further reading definitely needed for me on the whole marriage contract with Eleanor!