There are a few things that really get me excited, and since last fall, I've been following the story about King Richard III's remains like I was tracking the Holy Grail. This is really fascinating to me, I mean, this man wore the Crown during one of the most tumultuous times in English history, The War of the Roses - more than 500 years ago! For those unfamiliar with the story, the remains were discovered under a car park in Leicester, and this morning, they were positively identified via DNA as Richard III's.
Richard III was born on October 2, 1452 in Fortheringhay Castle, Northhamptonshire. His father was Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, and his mother was Cecily Neville.
Richard III us regularly depicted as an evil king, who murdered his way to the throne. He is famously linked with the Princes in the Tower story. When Richard was to be king, he faced a small problem in his brother's two boys, Edward V, and Richard, Duke of York. The story goes that Richard had them locked in Tower of London, after claiming their father, his brother, as an illegitimate king, making them non-contenders for the throne. The two princes disappeared in August of 1483, and rumors abounded that they had been murdered by Richard or his agents.
It has been said, and seems to be verified by the skeletal remains that Richard III was physically deformed, most likely scoliosis. At his time, this deformity may have been regarded as evidence of an evil character. Other stories depict the king as fully devoted to his duties, promoting trade, and bringing financial reforms to England.
What do you think? Was King Richard III a monster monarch, or revered king?
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