Edition: True Tragedy of Richard IIIExcerpts from The History of King Richard the Third
Source
These modernized excerpts of
The History of King Richard the Thirdwere prepared from the 1577 Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, Vol. 4 (More). This text takes its page numbering from The Holinshed Project.
Para1King Edward of that name the Fourth, after he had lived fifty and three years, seven
months, and six days, and thereof reigned two and twenty years, one month, and eight
days, died at Westminster the ninth day of April, the year of our redemption, a thousand
four hundred four score and three, leaving much fair issue, that is to wit, Edward
the Prince, a thirteen year of age; Richard Duke of York, two year younger; Elizabeth, whose fortune and grace was after to be queen, wife unto King Henry the
Seventh, and mother unto the Eighth; Cecily not so fortunate as fair; Brigette, who,
representing the virtue of her whose name she bear, professed and observed a religious
life in Dartford1, a house of close2 nuns; Anne, that was after honorably married unto Thomas, then Lord Howard and after
Earl of Surrey; and Katherine, which long time tossed in either fortune, sometime
in wealth, often in adversity, at the last, if this be the last, for yet she liveth, is by the benignity3 of her nephew, King Henry the Eighth, in very prosperous estate, and worthy her birth
and virtue.
Para2This noble prince deceased at his palace of Westminster and, with great funeral honor
and heaviness of his people from thence conveyed, was interred at Windsor. A king
of such governance and behavior in time of peace (for in war each part must needs
be another’s enemy) that there was never any prince of this land attaining the crown
by battle so heartily beloved by the substance of the people, nor he himself so specially
in any part of his life as at the time of his death.
Para3He was a goodly personage, and very princely to behold: of heart, courageous; politic4 in counsel; in adversity nothing abashed; in prosperity, rather joyful than proud;
in peace, just and merciful; in war, sharp and fierce; in the field, bold and hardy,
and natheless5, no farther than wisdom would, adventurous. Whose wars who so well consider, he shall
no less commend his wisdom when he voided6 than his manhood where he vanquished. He was of visage lovely, of body mighty, strong,
and clean made; how be it7 in his latter days with over-liberal diet, somewhat corpulent and burly, and natheless not uncomely;
he was of youth greatly given to fleshly wantonness, from which health of body in great prosperity and fortune, without a special grace,
hardly refraineth […] This fault not greatly grieved the people, for neither could any one man’s pleasure
stretch and extend to the displeasure of very many, and was without violence, and over that, in his latter days, it lessened and well left.
Para4But the lords recomforting8 him with as good words as they could, and answering for the time as they thought
to stand with his pleasure, there in his presence, as by their words appeared, each forgave other, and joined
their hands together, when (as it after appeared by their deeds) their hearts were
far asunder. I counterfeit and pretended reconcilement. As soon as the king was departed, that
noble prince his son drew toward London, which at the time of his decease kept household
at Ludlow9 in Wales. Which country, being far off from the law and recourse to justice, was
begun to be far out of good will and waxen10 wild, robbers and reavers11 walking at liberty uncorrected. And for this encheason12 the prince was, in the life of his father, sent thither, to the end that the authority
of his presence should refrain13 evil disposed persons from the boldness of their former outrages, to the governance
and ordering of this young prince, at his sending thither, was there appointed Sir
Anthony Woodville, lord Rivers and brother unto the queen, a right honorable man,
as valiant of hand as politic in counsel. Adjoined were there unto him other of the same party, and, in effect, every one as
he was nearest of kin unto the queen so was planted next about the prince.
Para5That drift14 by the queen not unwise15ly devised whereby her blood might of youth16 be rooted in the prince’s favor, the duke of Gloucester turned unto their destruction,
and upon that ground set the foundation of all his unhappy building. For whomsoever
he perceived either at variance with them or bearing himself their favor, he break
unto them, some by mouth, some by writing and secret messengers, that it neither was
reason nor in any wise to be suffered that the young king, their master and kinsman,
should be in the hands and custody of his mother’s kindred, sequestered in manner
from their company and attendance, of which everyone owed him as faithful service
as they, and many of them far more honorable part of kin than his mother’s side. “Whose
blood”, quod he, “saving the king’s pleasure, was full unmeetly17 to be matched with his, which now to be as who say removed from the king—and the
less noble to be left about him—is”, quod he, “neither honorable to his majesty nor
to unto us, and also to his grace no surety to have the mightiest of his friends from
him, and unto us no little jeopardy to suffer our well-proved evil-willers18 to grow in over-great authority with the prince in youth19, namely which is light of belief and soon persuaded”.
Para6“Ye remember, I trow20, kin21g Edward himself, albeit he was a man of age and of discretion, yet was he in many
things ruled by the bend22 more than stood either with his honor or our profit, or with the commodity of any
man else, except only the immoderate advancement of them self23, which whither they sorer24 thirsted after their own weal25, or our woe, it were hard I ween26 to guess. And if some folks’ friendship had not holden27 better place with the king than any respect of kindred, they might, peradventure28, easily have betrapped and brought to confusion some of us ere this. Why, not as
easily as they have done to some other already, as near to his royal blood as we?
But our Lord hath wrought His will, and thank be to His grace that peril is past.
How be it as great is growing if we suffer29 this young king in our enemies’ hand, which without his witting30, might abuse the name of his commandment to any of our undoing, which thing God and
good provision forbid. Of which good provision, none of us hath anything the less
need for the late-made atonement in which the king’s pleasure had more place than
the parties’ wills. Nor none of us, I believe, is so unwise oversoon31 to trust a new friend made of an old foe, or to think that a hourly32 kindness, suddenly contract in one hour, continued yet scant a fortnight, should
be deeper settled in their stomachs than a long-accustomed malice many years rooted”.
Para7With these words and writings and such other, the duke of Gloucester soon set afire
them that were of themself easy to kindle, and especial twain33, Edward duke of Buckingham and Richard lord Hastings and chamberlain, both men of
honor and of great power: the one by long succession from his ancestry, the other
by his office and the king’s favor. These two, not bearing each to other so much love
as hatred both unto the queen’s part, in this point accorded together with the duke
of Gloucester that they would utterly amove34 from the king’s company all his mother’s friends, under the name of their enemies.
Upon this concluded, the duke of Gloucester, understanding that the lords which at
that time were about the king intended to bring him up to his coronation, accompanied
with such power of their friends that it should be hard for him to bring his purpose
to pass without the gathering and great assemble of people and in manner of open war,
whereof the end he wist35 to be doubtous36, and in which the king being on their side, his part should have the face and name
of a rebellion, he secretly, therefore, by divers means caused the queen to be persuaded
and brought in the mind37 that it neither were need, and also should be jeopardous for the king to come up
strong. For whereas now every lord loved other and none other thing studied upon but
about the coronation and honor of the king, if the lords of her kindred should assemble
in the king’s name, much people, they should give the lords, atwixt38 whom and them had been sometime debate, to fear and suspect, lest39 they should gather this people, not for the king’s safeguard, whom no man impugned40, but for their destruction, having more regard to their old variance than their new
atonement. For which cause, they should assemble on the other party much people again
for their defense, whose power she wist well far stretched. And thus should all the
realm fall on a roar. And of all the hurt that thereof should ensue, which was likely
not to be little, and the most harm that like to fall where she lest would, all the
world would put her and her kindred in the wight41 and say that they had unwisely and untruly also, broken the amity and peace that
the king her husband so prudently made between his kin and hers in his death bed and
which the other party faithfully observed.
Para8The queen, being in this wise persuaded, such word sent unto her son and unto her
brother, being about the king; and over that, the duke of Gloucester himself and other
lords the chief of his bend wrote unto the king so reverently and to the queen’s friends
there so lovingly that they, nothing earthly mistrusting, brought the king up in great
haste, not in good speed, with a sober company.
Para9Now was the king in his way to London gone from Northampton42, when these dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham came thither. Where remained behind
the lord Rivers, the king’s uncle, intending on the morrow to follow the king, and
be with him at Stony Stratford43, eleven miles thence, early ere he departed. So was there made that night much friendly
cheer between these dukes and the lord Rivers a great while. But incontinent44 after that, they were openly and with great courtesy departed; and while the lord
Rivers lodged, the dukes secretly, with a few of their most privy45 friends, set them down in council, wherein they spent a great part of the night.
And at their rising in the dawning of the day, they sent about privily to their servants,
in their inns and lodgings about, giving the commandment to make themself shortly
ready, for their lords were to horsebackward46. Upon which messages, many of their folk were attendant when many of the lord Rivers’
servants were unready. Now had these dukes taken also into their custody the keys
of the inn that none should pass forth without their license47. And over48 this, in the highway toward Stony Stratford, where the king lay, they had bestowed49 certain of their folk that should send back again and compel to return any man that
were gotten out of Northampton toward Stony Stratford, till they should give other
license, for as much as the dukes themself intended, for the show of their diligence,
to be the first that should that day attend upon the king’s highness out of that town;
thus bare they50 folk at hand.
Para10But when the lord Rivers understood the gates closed and the ways on every side beset,
neither his servants nor himself suffered51 to gone out, perceiving well so great a thing without his knowledge not begun for
naught, comparing this manner present with this last night’s cheer, in so few hours
so great a change marvelously misliked. How be it sith he could not get away, and
keep himself close, he would not, lest he should seem to hide himself for some secret
fear of his own fault, whereof he saw no such cause in himself: he determined, upon the surety of his own conscience, to go boldly to them and inquire
what this matter might mean. Whom, as soon as they saw, they began to quarrel with him and say that he intended
to set distance between the king and them and to bring them to confusion, but it should
not lie in his power. And when he began (as he was a very well-spoken man) in goodly
wise to excuse himself, they tarried not the end of his answer, but shortly took him
and put him in ward52, and that done, forthwith went to horseback and took the way to Stony Stratford,
where they found the king with his company ready to leap on horseback and depart forward,
to leave that lodging for them because it was too strait53 for both companies.
Para11And as soon as they came in his presence, they light54 down with all their company about them. To whom the duke of Buckingham said, “go afore, gentlemen and yeomen, keep your rooms”. And thus in a goodly array, they came to the king and, on their knees in very humble
wise, salved55 his grace, which received them in very joyous and amiable manner, nothing earthly
knowing nor mistrusting as yet. But even by and by, in his presence, they picked a
quarrel to the lord Richard Grey, the king’s other brother by his mother, saying that
he, with the lord marquis his brother and the lord Rivers his uncle, had compassed56 to rule the king
and the realm, and to set variance among the states57, and to subdue and destroy the noble blood of the realm. Toward the accomplishing
whereof, they said that the lord marquis had entered into the Tower of London, and thence taken out the king’s treasure, and sent
men to the sea. All which things, these dukes wist well, were done for good purposes
and necessary by the whole council at London, saving that somewhat they must say.
Para12Unto which words, the king answered, “What my brother marquis hath done I cannot say.
But in good faith I dare well answer for mine uncle Rivers and my brother here, that
they be innocent of any such matters”.
Para13“Yea, my liege”, quod the duke of Buckingham, “they have kept their dealing in these
matters far from the knowledge of your good grace”.
Para14And forthwith they arrested the lord Richard and Sir Thomas Vaughan, knight, in the
king’s presence, and brought the king and all back unto Northampton, where they took
again further counsel. And there they sent away from the king whom it pleased them,
and set new servants about him, such as liked them better than him. At which dealing
he wept and was nothing content, but it booted58 not. And at dinner the duke of Gloucester sent a dish from his own table to the lord
Rivers, praying him to be of good cheer, all should be well enough. And he thanked
the duke, and prayed the messenger to bear it to his nephew, the lord Richard, with
the same message for his comfort, who he thought had more need of comfort, as one
to whom such adversity was strange. But himself, had been all his days inure therewith,
and therefore could bear it the better. But for all this comfortable courtesy of the
duke of Gloucester, he sent the lord Rivers and the lord Richard with Sir Thomas Vaughan
into the north country to divers places to prison and, afterward, all to Pomfret59, where they were, in conclusion, beheaded.
Para15In this wise the duke of Gloucester took upon himself the order and governance of
the young king, whom, with much honor and humble reverence, he conveyed upward toward
the city.
Para16But the duke of Gloucester bare himself in open sight so reverently to the prince,
with all semblance of lowliness, that from the great obloquy60 in which he was so late before, he was suddenly fallen in so great trust, that at
the council next assembled, he was the only man chose and thought most meet to be
protector of the king and his realm, so (that were it destiny or were it folly) the
lamb was betaken61 to the wolf to keep. At which council also the archbishop of York, chancellor of
England, which had delivered up the Great Seal to the queen, was thereof greatly reproved,
and the Seal taken from him and delivered to Dr. Russell, bishop of Lincoln, a wise
man and good and of much experience, and one of the best learned men undoubtedly that
England had in his time. Diverse lords and knights were appointed unto diverse rooms.
The lord chamberlain and some other kept still their offices that they had before.
Para17Now all were it so that the protector so sore thirsted for the finishing of that he
had begun, that thought every day a year till it were achieved, yet durst he no further
attempt as long as he had but half his prey in his hand, well witting that if he deposed
the one brother, all the realm would fall to the other, if he either remained in sanctuary
or should haply62 be shortly conveyed to his farther liberty.
Para18Wherefore incontinent at the next meeting of the lords at the council, he proposed
unto them that it was a heinous deed of the queen, and proceeding from great malice
toward the king’s counselors, that she should keep in sanctuary the king’s brother
from him, whose special pleasure and comfort were to have his brother with him. And
that by her was done to none other intent, but to bring all the lords in obloquy and
murmur of the people, as though they were not to be trusted with the king’s brother,
that assent of the nobles of the land, were appointed as the king’s nearest friends
for the tuition63 of his own royal person.
Para19Whereupon soon after, that is to wit, on the Friday, the thirteenth day of June, many
lords assembled in the Tower, and there sat in council, devising the honorable solemnity
of the king’s coronation, of which the time appointed so near approached that the
pageants and subtleties were in making day and night at Westminster, and much victual killed64 therefore that afterward was cast away. These lords so sitting together commoning65 of this matter, the protector came in among them, first about nine of the clock,
saluting them courteously, and excusing himself that he had been from them so long,
saying merrily that he had been asleep that day. And after a little talking with them, he said unto the bishop of Ely: “my lord,
you have very good strawberries at your garden in Holborn, I require you, let us have
a mess of them”.
Para20“Gladly, my lord”, quod he: “would God I had some better thing as ready to your pleasure
as that”. And therewith in all the haste he sent his servant for a mess of strawberries.
Para21The protector set the lords fast in commoning, and thereupon praying them to spare
him for a little while, departed thence. And soon after one hour, between ten and
eleven, he returned into the chamber among them, all changed with a wonderful sour,
angry countenance, knitting the brows, frowning and frothing and gnawing on his lips,
and so sat him down in his place, all the lords much dismayed and sore marveling of
this manner of sudden change, and what thing should him ail. Then when he had sitten
still awhile, thus he began: “What were they worthy to have that compass and imagine
the destruction of me, being so near of blood unto the king, and protector of his
royal person and his realm?”
Para22At this question, all the lords sat sore astonied66, musing much by whom this question should be meant, of which every man wist himself
clear. Then the lord chamberlain, as he that for the love between them thought he
might be boldest with him, answered and said that they were worthy to be punished
as heinous traitors, whatsoever they were. And all the other affirmed the same.
Para23“That is”, quod he, “yonder sorceress, my brother’s wife, and other with her”, meaning
the queen.
Para24At these words many of the other lords were greatly abashed that favored her. But
the lord Hastings was in his mind better content that it was moved by her than by
any other whom he loved better; albeit his heart somewhat grudged that he was not
afore made of counsel67 in this matter, as he was of the taking of her kindred and of their putting to death,
which were by his assent before devised to be beheaded at Pomfret this selfsame day,
in which he was not aware that it was by other devised that he himself should the
same day be beheaded at London.
Para25Then said the protector: “Ye shall all see in what wise that sorceress and that other
witch of her counsel, Shore’s wife, with their affinity, have by their sorcery and
witchcraft wasted my body”. And therewith, he plucked up his doublet sleeve to his
elbow upon his left arm, where he showed a wearish68, withered arm and small, as if it was never other. And thereupon every man’s mind
sore misgave them, well perceiving that this matter was but a quarrel, for well they
wist that the queen was too wise to go about any such folly. And also if she would,
yet would she of all folk least make Shore’s wife of council, whom of all women she
most hated, as that concubine whom the king her husband had most loved. And also no
man was there present but well knew
that the his arm was ever such since his birth.
Para26Natheless the lord chamberlain (which from the death of king Edward kept Shore’s wife,
on whom he somewhat doted in the king’s life, saving as it is said that while forebear
her of reverence toward his king, or else of a certain kind of fidelity to his friend)
answered and said: “certainly, my lord, if they have so heinously done, and they be
worthy heinous punishment”.
Para27“What?!” quod the protector. “Thou servest me, I ween, with
“ifs” and with “ands”. I tell thee they have so done, and that I will make good on
thy body, traitor”. And therewith as in a great anger, he clapped69 his fist upon the board70 a great rap. At which token given, one cried treason without the chamber. Therewith
a door clapped, and in come there rushing men in harness71, as many as the chamber might hold. And anon the protector said to the lord Hastings: “I arrest thee, traitor”.
Para28“What me, my lord?” quod he.
Para29“Yea, thee, traitor”, quod the protector.
Para30And another let fly at the lord Stanley, which shrunk at
the stroke and fell under the table, or else his head had been cleft to the teeth;
for as shortly as he shrank, yet ran the blood about his ears. Then were they all quickly bestowed in diverse chambers, except the lord chamberlain,
whom the protector bade speed and shrive him apace, “for by Saint Paul”, quod he, “I will not to dinner till I see thy head off”. It booted him not to ask why, but heavily he took a priest at adventure72 and made a short shrift, for a longer one would not be suffered, the protector made
so much haste to dinner, which he might not go to till this were done for the saving
of his oath.
Para31So was he brought forth into the green beside the chapel within the Tower, and his
head laid down upon a long loaf73 of timber, and there stricken off, and afterward his body with the head interred
at Windsor beside the body of king Edward, whose both souls our Lord pardon.
Para32Yet for the further appeasing of the people’s mind, he sent immediately after dinner
in all the haste, one herald of arms, with a proclamation to be made through the city
in the king’s name, containing that the lord Hastings with divers other of his traitorous
purpose had
before conspired the same day to have slain the lord protector and the duke of Buckingham
while sitting in the council, and after to have taken upon them to rule the king and
the realm at their pleasure, and thereby to pill74 and spoil whom they list, uncontrolled. And much matter was there in the proclamation
devised to the slander of the lord chamberlain, as that he was an evil counselor to
the king’s father, enticing him to many things highly redounding to the minishing75 of his honor and to the universal hurt of his realm, by his evil company, sinister
procuring, and ungracious ensample76, as well in many other things, as in the vicious living and inordinate abusion77 of his body, both with many other, and also especially with Shore’s wife, which was
one also of his most secret counsel of this heinous treason, with whom he lay nightly,
and, namely, the night last past before his death, so that it was the less marvel
if ungracious living brought him to an unhappy ending, which he was now put unto,
by the most dread commandment of the king’s highness and of his honorable and faithful
council, both for his demerits, being so openly taken in his falsely conceived treason,
and also lest the delaying of his execution might have encouraged other mischievous
persons partners of his conspiracy to gather and assemble themself together in making
some great commotion for his deliverance; whose hope now being by his well-deserved
death politicly78 repressed, all the realm should by God’s grace rest in good quiet and peace.
Para33Now was this proclamation made within two hours after that he was beheaded, and it
was so curiously indited79 and so fair written in parchment in so well a set hand, and therewith of itself so
long a process, that every child might well perceive that it was prepared before. For all the time between his death and the proclaiming could scant have sufficed
unto the bare writing alone, had it all been but in paper and scribbled forth in haste
at adventure. So that upon the proclaiming thereof, one that was schoolmaster of Paul’s,
of chance standing by and comparing the shortness of the time with the length of the
matter, said unto them that stood about him, “here is a gay goodly cast, foul cast
away for haste”. And a merchant answered him that it was written by prophecy.
Para34Now then, by and by, as if it were for anger and not for covetise80, the protector sent into the house of Shore’s wife (for her husband dwelled not with
her) and spoiled81 her of all that ever she had, above the value of two or three thousand marks, and
sent her body to prison. And when he had a while laid unto her for the manner sake82, that she went about to bewitch him, and she was of counsel with the lord chamberlain
to destroy him, in conclusion, when that no color83 could fasten upon these matters, then he laid heinously to her charge and the thing
that she herself could not deny, that all the world wist was true, and that natheless
every man laughed at to hear it then so suddenly so highly taken, that she was naught of84 her body. And for this cause (as a goodly continent prince, clean and faultless of himself,
sent out of heaven into this vicious world for the amendment of men’s manners), he
caused the bishop of London to put her to open penance, going before the cross in procession upon a Sunday with a taper in her hand.
Para35In which she went in countenance and pace demure so womanly, and albeit she were out all attire
save her kirtle85 only, yet went she so fair and lovely, namely while the wondering of the people cast
a comely rud86 in her cheeks (of which she before had been most miss), that her great shame won
her much praise among those that weremore amorous of her body than curious of her
soul, and many good folk also, that hated her living and glad were to see sin corrected,
yet pitied they more her penance than rejoiced therein, when they considered that
the protector procured it more of a corrupt intent than any virtuous affection.
Para36This woman was born in London, worshipfully friended87, honestly brought up, and very well married (saving somewhat too soon), her husband
an honest citizen, young and goodly and of good substance. But forasmuch as they were
coupled ere she were well ripe, she not very fervently loved for whom she never longed. Which was happily the thing that the more easily made her incline unto the king’s
appetite when he required her. Howbeit, the respect of his royalty, the hope of gay
apparel, ease, pleasure and other wanton wealth was able soon to pierce a soft tender
heart. But when the king had abused her, anon her husband (as he was an honest man
and one that could his good, not presuming to touch a king’s concubine) left her up
to him altogether. When the king died, the lord chamberlain took her, which in the
king’s days, albeit he was sore enamored upon her, yet he forebear her, either for
reverence or for a certain friendly faithfulness.
Para37Proper88 she was and fair; nothing in her body that you would have changed, but if you would
have wished her somewhat higher. Thus say they that knew her in her youth. Albeit
some that now see her (for yet she liveth) deem her never to have been well-visaged89, whose judgment seemeth me somewhat like as though men should guess the beauty of
one long before departed by her scalp taken out of a charnel house; for now is she
old, lean, withered and dried up, nothing left but reviled90 skin and hard bone. An yet, being even such, whoso well advise her visage might guess
and devise which parts, how filled, would make it a fair face.
Para38Yet she delighted not men so much in her beauty as in her pleasant behavior. For a
proper wit had she, and could both read well and write, merry in company, ready and
quick of answer, neither mute nor full of babble, sometime taunting without displeasure,
and not without disport91.
Para39The king would say that he had [three] concubines in whom three divers properties
diversely excelled: one the merriest; another the wiliest; the third the holiest harlot
in his realm, as one whom no man could get out of the church lightly to any place,
but it were to his bed. The other two were somewhat greater personages, and, natheless
of their humility, content to be nameless and to forebear the praise of those properties.
But the merriest was this Shore’s wife, in whom the king therefore took special pleasure.
For many he had, but her he loved, whose favor, to sayeth truth (for sin it were to belie the devil), she never abused
to any man’s hurt, but to many a man’s comfort and relief: where the king took displeasure, she would mitigate and appease his mind; where men
were out of favor, she would bring them in his grace; for many who had highly offended,
she obtained pardon; of great forfeitures92 she got men remission; and finally, in many weighty suits, she stood many men in
great stead either for none or very small rewards, and those rather gay than rich, either for that she was content with the deed self
well done, or that she delighted to be sued unto and to show what she was able to
do with the king, or for that wanton women and wealthy be not always covetous.
Para40I doubt not some shall think this woman too slight a thing to be written of and set
among the remembrances of great matters, which they shall specially think, that haply
shall esteem her only by what they now see her. But meseemeth93 the chance so much the more worthy to be remembered, in how much she is now in the
more beggarly condition, unfriended and worn out of acquaintance, after good substance,
after as great favor with the prince, after as great suit and seeking to with all
those that those days had business to speed, as many other men were in their times,
which be now famous only by the infamy of their ill deeds. Her doings were not much
less, albeit they be much less remembered because they were not so evil. For men use,
if they have an evil turn, to write it in marble; and whoso doth us a good turn, we
write it in dust, which is not worst proved by her, for at this day she beggeth of
many at this day living, that at this day had begged if she had not been.
Para41Then on the Tuesday following this sermon, there came unto the Guildhall in London
the duke of Buckingham, accompanied with divers lords and knights, more than haply
knew the message that they brought. And there in the east end of the hall where the
mayor keepeth the Hustings94, the mayor and all the aldermen being assembled about him, all the commons of the
city gathered before them, after silence commanded upon great pain in the protector’s
name, the duke stood up, and (as he was neither unlearned and of nature marvelously
well spoken) he said unto the people, with a clear and a loud voice, in this manner
of wise:
Para42“Friends, for the zeal and hearty favor that we bear you, we becomen95 to break96 unto you, of a matter right great and weighty, and no less weighty than pleasing
to God and profitable to all the realm, nor to no part of the realm more profitable
than to you, the citizens of this noble city. For why, that thing that we wot well
ye have long time lacked and sore longed for, that ye would have given great good
for, that ye would have gone far to fetch, that thing we become hither to bring you,
without your labor, pain, cost, adventure, or jeopardy”.
Para43“What thing is that? Certes97, the surety98 of your own bodies, the quiet of your wives and your daughters, the safeguard of
your goods: of all which things in times past ye stood ever more in doubt. For who
was there of you all that would reckon himself lord of his own good, among so many
grins99 and traps as was set therefore, among so much pilling and polling100, among so many taxes and tallages101, of which there was never end and oftentime no need, or if any were, it rather grew
of riot and unreasonable waste than any necessary or honorable charge. So that there
was daily, pilled from good men and honest, great substance of goods to be lashed102 out among unthrifts103 so far forth that fifteenths sufficed not, nor any of the usual names of known taxes;
but under an easy name of “benevolence and good will” the commissioners so much of
every man took, as no man would with his good will have given, as though the name
of “benevolence” had signified that every man should pay, not what he himself of his
good will list to grant, but what the king of his good will list to take, which never
asked little, but everything was hawsed104 above the measure: amercements105 turned into fines, fines into ransoms, small trespass to misprision106, misprision into treason”.
Para44“Whereof I think no man looketh107 that we should remember you of examples by name, as though Burdet108 were forgotten, that was for a word spoken in haste, cruelly beheaded by the misconstruing
of the laws of this realm for the prince’s pleasure; with no less honor to Markham109,
then chief justice, that left his office rather than he would assent to that judgment
than to the dishonesty of those that either for fear or flattery gave that judgment.
What Cooke110, your own worshipful neighbor, alderman and mayor of this noble city? Who is of you
either so negligent that he knoweth not, or so forgetful that he remembereth not,
or so hardhearted that he pitieth not that worshipful man’s loss? What? Speak we of
loss? His utter spoil and underserved destruction, only for that it happed those to
favor him whom the prince favored not. We need not, I suppose, to rehearse of these
anymore by name, sith there be, I doubt not, many here present that either in themself
or their nigh friends have known as well their goods, as their persons, greatly endangered,
either by feigned quarrels or small matters aggreived with heinous names”.
Para45“And also there was no crime so great of which there could lack a pretext. For sith
the king, preventing the time of his inheritance, attained the crown by battle, it
sufficed in a rich man a pretext of treason to have been of kindred or alliance, near
familiarity or ledger111 acquaintance with any of those that were at any time the king’s enemies, which was
at one time and another, more than half the realm. Thus were neither your goods in
surety, and yet they brought your bodies in jeopardy, beside the common adventure
of open war, which albeit that it is ever the will and occasion of much mischief,
yet is it never so mischievous as where any people fall at distance112 among themself, nor in none earthly nation so deadly and so pestilent as when it
happeneth among us, and among us never so long continued dissension, nor so many battles
in the season, nor so cruel and deadly foughten, as was in the kings’ days that dead
is, God forgive it his soul.”
Para46“In whose time and by whose occasion, what about the getting of the garland, keeping
it, losing and winning again, it hath cost more English blood than has twice the winning
of France. In which inward war among ourself has been so great effusion113 of the ancient noble blood of this realm that scarcely the half remaineth, to the
great enfeebling of this noble land, beside many a good town ransacked and spoiled
by them that have been going to the field or coming from thence. And peace, long after,
not much surer than war. So that no time was there in which rich men for their money,
and great men for their lands, or some other for some fear or some displeasure were
not out of peril. For whom trusted he that mistrusted his own brother? Whom spared
he that killed his own brother? Or who could perfectly love him, if his own brother
could not?”
Para47“What manner of folk he most favored, we shall for his honor spare to speak of; howbeit
this wot you well all, that whoso was best, bear alway least rule, and more suit was
in his days made unto Shore’s wife, a vile and abominable strumpet, than to all the
lords in England, except unto those that made her their protector, which simple woman
was well named and honest till the king, for his wanton lust and sinful affection,
bereft her from her husband, a right honest, substantial young man among you”.
Para48“And in that point, which in good faith I am sorry to speak of, saving that it is
in vain to keep in counsel that thing all men know, the king’s greedy appetite was
insatiable and everywhere over all the realm intolerable. For no woman was there anywhere,
young or old, rich or poor, whom he set his eye upon, in whom he anything liked, either
person or favor, speech, pace, or countenance, but without any fear of God or respect
of his honor, murmur or grudge of the world, he would importunely114 pursue his appetite, and have her, to the great destruction of many a good woman,
and great dolor to their husband, and their other friends, which, being honest people
of themself, so much regard the cleanness of their house, the chastity of their wives
and their children that they were lever to lose115 all that they have beside than to have such a villainy done them”.
Para49“And all were it that with this and other importable116 dealing, the realm was in every part annoyed, yet specially ye here, the citizens
of this noble city, as well for that among you is most plenty of all such things as
minister matter to such injuries, as for that you were nearest at hand, sith that
near here about was commonly his most abiding. And yet, be ye the people whom he had
as singular cause well and kindly to entreat as as any part of his realm, not only
for that the prince, by this noble city (as his special chamber and the special well-renowned
city of his realm) much honorable fame receiveth among all other nations, but also
for that ye not without your great cost and sundry perils and jeopardies in all his
wars, bare ever your special favor to his part, which your kind minds borne to the
house of York. Sith he hath nothing worthily acquitted, there is of that house that
now, by God’s grace, better shall, which thing, to show you, is the whole sum and
effect of this our present errand”.
Para50“It shall not, I wot well, need that I rehearse you again that ye have already heard
of him that can better tell it, and of whom I am sure ye will better believe it. And
reason117 is that it so be. I am not so proud to look therefore, that ye should reckon my words
of as great authority as the preachers of the word of God, namely a man so cunning
and so wise that no man better woteth118 what he should say, and thereto so good and virtuous that he would not say the thing
which he wist he should not say in the pulpit, namely into which none honest man cometh
to lie. Which honorable preacher, ye well remember, substantially declared unto you
at Paul’s Cross, on Sunday last past, the right and title that most excellent prince
Richard, duke of Gloucester, now protector of this realm, hath unto the crown and
kingdom of the same.”
Para51“For as that worshipful man groundly119 made open unto you, the children of king Edward the Fourth were never lawfully begotten,
forasmuch as the king (living his very wife dame Elizabeth Lucy120) was never lawfully married unto the queen, their mother, whose blood, saving that
he set voluptuous pleasure before his honor, was full unmeetly121 to be matched with his; and the mingling of whose bloods together hath been the effusion
of great part of the noble blood of this realm. Whereby it may well seem that the
marriage was not well made, of which there is so much mischief grown. For lack of
which lawful accoupling, and also of other things which the said worshipful doctor
rather signified than fully explained, and which things shall not be spoken for me
as the thing wherein every man forbeareth to say that he knoweth in avoiding displeasure
of my noble lord protector, bearing, as nature requireth, a filial reverence to the
duchess his mother, for these cause I say before remembered, that is, to wit, for
lack of other issue lawfully coming of the late noble prince Richard, duke of York,
to whose royal blood the crown of England and of France is by the high authority of
parliament entailed, the right and title of the same is by the just course of inheritance,
according to the common law of this land, devolute122 and comen unto the most excellent prince, the lord protector, as to the very lawfully
begotten son of the remembered noble duke of York”.
Para52“Which thing well considered, and the great knightly prowess pondered, with manifold
virtues which in his noble person singularly abound, the nobles and commons also of
this realm, and specially of the north parts, not willing any bastard blood to have
the rule of the land, nor the abusions before in the same used any longer to continue,
have condescended and fully determined to make humble petition unto the most puissant123 prince, the lord protector, that it may like his grace, at our humble request, to
take upon him the guiding and governance of this realm, to the wealth and increase
of the same, according to his very right and just title. Which thing, I wot it well,
he will be loath to take upon him, as he whose wisdom well perceiveth the labor and
study, both of mind and of body, that shall come therewith to whosoever so well occupy
that room124, as I dare say he will if he take it. Which room, I warn you well, is no child’s
office. And that the great wise man well perceived when he said: Veh regno cuius rex puer est, “Woe is that realm that has a child to their king””.
Para53“Wherefore so much the more cause have we to thank God that this noble personage,
who is so righteously entitled thereunto, is of such a sad125 age and thereto of so great wisdom joined with so great experience; which albeit
he will be loath, as I have said, to take it upon him, yet shall he to our petition
in that behalf more graciously incline if ye, the worshipful citizens of this the
chief city of this realm, join with us the nobles in our said request. Which for your
own weal we doubt not but ye will, and natheless I heartily pray you so to do, whereby
you shall do great profit to all this realm, beside in choosing them so good a king
and unto yourself special commodity126, to whom his majesty shall ever after bear so much the more tender favor, in how
much he shall perceive you the more prone and benevolently minded toward his election.
Wherein, dear friends, what mind you have, we require you plainly to show us.”
Para54When the duke had said, looked127 that the people (whom he hoped that the mayor had framed before) should after this
proposition made, have cried, “King Richard! King Richard!”—all was hushed and mute,
and not one word answered thereunto. Wherewith the duke was marvelously abashed, and
taking the mayor near to him, with the other that were about him privy to that matter,
said unto them softly, “What meaneth this that this people be so still?”
Para55“Sir”, quod the mayor, “perchance they perceive you not well”.
Para56“That shall we mend”, quod he, “if that will help”.
Para57And by and by, somewhat louder, he rehearsed to them the same matter again in other
order and other words, so well and ornately, and natheless so evidently and plain,
with voice, gesture, and countenance so comely and so convenient that every man much
marveled that heard him, and thought that they never had in their lives heard so evil
a tale so well told. But were it for wonder or fear, or that each looks that other
should speak first, not one word was there answered of all the people that stood before,
but all was as still as midnight, not so much as rounding128 among them by which they might seem to comen what was best to do.
Para58When the mayor saw this, he with other partners of that counsel drew about the duke
and said that the people had not been accustomed there to be spoken unto but by the
Recorder129, which is the
mouth of the city, and haply to him they will answer.
Para59With that, the Recorder, called Fitzwilliam130, a sad131 man and an honest, which was so new come into that office that he never had spoken
to the people before—and loath was with that matter to begin, notwithstanding thereunto
commanded to by the mayor—made rehearsal to the commons of that the duke had twice
rehearsed them himself. But the Recorder so tempered his tale that he showed everything
as the duke’s words and no part of his own. But all this nothing no change made in
the people, which alway after one, stood as they had been men amazed.
Para60Whereupon the duke rounded132 unto the mayor and said: “this is a marvelous obstinate silence”.
Para61And therewith he turned unto the people again with these words:
Para62“Dear friends, we come to move you to that thing which peradventure we not so greatly
needed, but that the lords of this realm and the commons of other parties might have
sufficed, saving that we such love bear you and so much set by you that we would not
gladly do without you that thing in which to be partners is your weal and honor, which,
as it seemeth, either you see not or weigh not. Wherefore we require you give answer
one or other: whether you be minded, as all the nobles of the realm be, to have this
noble prince, now protector, to be your king, or not”.
Para63At these words the people began to whisper among themself secretly, that the voice
was neither loud nor distinct, but, as it were, the sound of a swarm of bees, till
at the last, in [the nether] end of the hall, bushment133 of the duke’s servants and of Nesfield’s134, and other
longing135 to the protector, with some prentices and lads that thrust into the hall among the
press136, began suddenly, at men’s backs, to cry out as loud as their throats would give:
“King Richard! King Richard!” and
threw up their caps in token of joy. And they that stood before, cast back their heads,
marveling thereof, but nothing they said. And when the duke and the mayor saw this
manner, they wisely turned it to their purpose and said it was a goodly cry and a
joyful to hear, every man with one voice, no man saying nay.
Para64“Wherefore, friends”, quod the duke, “since that we perceive it is all your whole
minds to have this nobleman for your king, whereof we shall make his grace so effectual
report that we doubt not but it shall redound137 unto your great weal and commodity. We require ye that ye tomorrow go with us, and
we with you, unto his noble grace, to make our humble request unto him in manner before
remembered”. And therewith, the lords came down, and the company dissolved and departed,
the most part all sad, some with glad semblance who were not very merry, and some
of those that came thither with the duke, not able to dissemble their sorrow, were
fain, at his back, to turn their face to the wall while the dolor of their heart burst
out at their eyne138.
Para65Then on the morrow after, the mayor with all the aldermen and chief commoners of the
city, in their best manner appareled, assembling themself together, resorted unto
Baynard’s139 Castle where the protector lay. To which place repaired also, according to their
appointment, the duke of Buckingham with divers noble men with him, besides many knights
and other gentlemen. And thereupon, the duke sent word unto the lord protector of
the being there of a great and honorable company to move a great matter unto his grace.
Para66Whereupon the protector made difficulty to come out unto them but if he first knew
some part of their errand, as though he doubted and partly distrusted the coming of
such number unto him so suddenly without any warning or knowledge, whether they came
for good or harm. Then the duke, when he had showed this unto the mayor and other,
that they might thereby see how little the protector looked for this matter, they
sent unto him by messenger such loving message again, and therewith so humbly besought
him to vouchsafe that they might resort to his presence to purpose140 their intent, of which they would unto none other person any part disclose, that
at the last he came forth of his chamber, and yet not down unto them, but stood above
in a gallery over them, where they might see him and speak to him, as though he would
not yet come too near them till he wist what they meant.
Para67And thereupon the duke of Buckingham first made humble petition unto him, on behalf
of them all, that his grace would pardon them and license them to purpose unto his
grace the intent of their coming without his displeasure, without which pardon obtained,
they durst not be bold to move him of that matter. In which, albeit they meant as
much honor to his grace as wealth to all the realm beside, yet were they not sure
how his grace would take it, whom they would in no wise offend.
Para68Then the protector, as if he was very gentle of himself and also longed sore to wit141 what they meant, gave him leave to purpose what him liked, verily trusting, for the
good mind that he bear them all, none of them anything would intend unto him ward,
wherewith he ought to be grieved.
Para69When the duke had this leave and pardon to speak, then waxed he bold to show him their
intent and purpose, with all the causes moving them thereto, as ye before have heard,
and finally to beseech his grace that it would like him of his accustomed goodness
and zeal unto the realm, now with his eye of pity, to behold the long continued distress
and decay of the same, and to set his gracious hands to the redress and amendment
thereof by taking upon him the crown and governance of this realm, according to his
right and title lawfully descended unto him, and to the laud142 of God, profit of the land, and unto his grace so much the more honor and less pain,
in that never a prince reigned upon any people that were so glad to live under his
obeisance as the people of this realm under his.
Para70When the protector had heard the proposition, he looked very strangely thereat and
answered that all were it that he partly knew the things by them alleged to be true,
yet such entire love he bear unto king Edward and his children, that so much more
regarded his honor in other realms about than the crown of any one, of which he was
never desirous, that he could not find in his heart in this point to incline to their
desire. For in all other nations, where the truth were not well known, it should peradventure
be thought it were his own ambitious mind and device to depose the prince and take
for himself the crown. With such infamy he would not have his honor stained for any
crown, in which he had ever perceived much more labor and pain, the pleasure to him
that so would so use it, as he that would not, were not worthy to have it. Notwithstanding,
he not only pardoned them the motion that they made him, but also thanked them for
the love and hearty favor they bear him, praying them, for his sake, to give and bear
the same to the prince, under whom he was and would be content to live; and with his
labor and counsel, as far as should like the king to use him, he would do his uttermost
’deavor143 to set the realm in good state, which was already in this little while of his protectorship
(the praise given to God) well begun, in that the malice of such as were before occasion
of the contrary—and of new intended to be—were now, partly by good policy, partly
more by God’s special providence than man’s provision, repressed.
Para71Upon this answer given, the duke, by the protector’s license, a little rounded as
well with other noblemen about him, as with the mayor and Recorder of London. And
after that, upon like pardon desired and obtained, he showed aloud unto the protector,
for a final conclusion, that the realm was resolved king Edward’s line should not
any longer reign upon them, both because they had so far gone that it was now no surety
to retreat, as for that they thought it for the weal universal to take that way, although
they had not yet begun it. Wherefore, if it would like his grace to take the crown
upon him, they would humbly beseech him thereunto. If he would give them a resolute
answer to the contrary, which they would be loath to hear, then must they needs seek,
and should not fail to find, some other nobleman that would.
Para72The144 man had a high heart and sore longed upward, not rising yet so fast as he had hoped,
being hindered and kept under by the means of Sir Richard Ratcliffe and Sir William
Catesby, which, longing for no more partners of the prince’s favor, and namely, not
for him, whose pride they wist would bear no peer, kept him by secret drifts out of
all secret trust. Which thing this page well had marked and known. Wherefore this
occasion offered of very special friendship, he took this time to put him forward
and, by such wise, do him good that all the enemies he had, except the devil, could
never have done him so much hurt.
Para73For upon this page’s words king Richard arose (for this communication had he sitting
on the draught145, an appropriate carpet for such a council) and came out into the pallet chamber146, where he found in bed Sir James and Sir Thomas Tyrrell, of person alike and brethren
of blood, but nothing of kin in conditions147. Then said the king merrily to them: “What, sirs, be ye in bed so soon?” and calling
up Sir James, break to him secretly his mind in this mischievous matter, in which
he found him nothing strange.
Para74Wherefore on the morrow, he sent him to Brakenbury with a letter, by which he was
commanded to deliver Sir James all the keys of the Tower for one night, to the end
he might there accomplish the king’s pleasure in such thing as he had given him commandment.
After which letter delivered and the keys received, Sir James appointed the night
next ensuing to destroy them, devising before and preparing the means.
Para75The prince, as soon as the protector left that name and took himself as king, had
it showed unto him he should not reign, but his uncle should have the crown. At which
word the prince, sore abashed, began to sigh and said: “Alas, I would my uncle would
let me have my life yet, though I lose my kingdom”. Then he that told him the tale,
used him with good words and put him in the best comfort he could. But forthwith was
the prince and his brother both shut up, and all other removed from them, only one,
called Black Will or William Slaughter except, set to serve them and see them sure148. After which time the prince never tied his points149, ought wrought150 of himself, but with that young babe, his brother, lingered in thought and heaviness
till this traitorous death delivered them of that wretchedness.
Para76For Sir James Tyrrell devised that they should be murdered in their beds. To the execution
whereof, he appointed Myles Forrest, one of the four that kept them, a fellow fleshed151 in murder before time. To him he joined one John Dighton, his own horse-keeper152, a big, broad, square strong knave. Then all the other being removed from them, this Myles Forrest and John Dighton about
midnight (the sely153 children lying in their beds) came into the chamber, and suddenly lapped154 them up among the bedclothes—so bewrapped them and entangled them, keeping down by
force the featherbed and pillows hard unto their mouths, that within a while, smored155 and stifled, their breath failing, they gave up to God their innocent souls into
the joys of heaven, leaving to the tormentors their bodies dead in the bed.
Para77Which after that the wretches perceived, first by the struggling with the pains of
death, and after long lying still, to be thoroughly dead, they laid their bodies naked
out upon the bed, and fetched Sir James to see them. Which, upon the sight of them,
caused those murderers to bury them at the stair-foot, meetly deep in the ground,
under a great heap of stones.
Para78Then rode Sir James in great haste to king Richard and showed him all the manner of
the murder, who gave him great thanks and, as some say, there made him knight. But
he allowed not, as I have heard, the burying in so vile a corner, saying that he would
have them buried in a better place because they were a king’s sons. Whereupon they
say that a priest of Sir Robert Brakenbury took up the bodies again and secretly entered156 them in such a place as by the occasion of his death, which only he knew it could
never since come to light.
Para79Very true is it, and well known, that at such time as Sir James Tyrrell was in the
Tower, for treason committed against the most famous prince, king Henry the Seventh,
both Dighton and he were examined and confessed the murder in manner above written,
but whither the bodies were removed, they could nothing tell. And thus, as I have learned of them that much knew and little cause had to lie,
were these two noble princes—these innocent, tender children, born of most royal blood,
brought up in great wealth, likely long to live, to reign, and rule in the realm—by
traitorous tyranny taken, deprived of their estate, shortly shut up in prison, and
privily slain and murdered, their bodies cast God wot where by the cruel ambition of their unnatural uncle and
his dispiteous157 tormentors.
Para80Which things on every part well pondered, God never gave this world a more notable
example, neither in what unsurety158 standeth this worldly weal, or what mischief worketh the proud enterprise of a high
heart, or finally, what wretched end ensueth such dispiteous cruelty. For, first,
to begin with the ministers: Myles Forrest at St. Martin’s piecemeal rotted away;
Dighton, indeed, walks on alive in good possibility to be hanged ere he die; but Sir
James Tyrrell died at Tower Hill, beheaded for treason. King Richard himself, as you
shall hereafter hear, slain in the field, hacked and hewed of his enemies’ hands,
harried159 on horseback dead, his hair spitefully torn and tugged like a cur dog. And this mischief
that he took within less than three years of the mischief that he did.
Notes
1.Dartford Priory, Kent.↑
2.Cloistered.↑
7.However.↑
9.The prince of Wales and duke of York lived at Ludlow Castle in Shropshire until their
father’s death.↑
13.Restrain.↑
14.Plan.↑
15.Way.↑
16.From the beginning.↑
17.Fully unsuitable.↑
18.Those with malicious intent.↑
19.Youthful prince.↑
20.Trust.↑
21.To remain in.↑
22.Queen’s faction.↑
23.The queen’s family.↑
24.Even more so.↑
25.Well-being.↑
27.Held.↑
28.By chance.↑
30.The king’s awareness.↑
32.Slight.↑
34.Remove.↑
35.Knew.↑
37.To believe.↑
38.Between.↑
39.Least it.↑
41.Blame.↑
42.Northampton is a halfway point between Ludlow Castle and
London.↑
43.A small town in Buckinghamshire where Edward V rested
the night before arriving in London for his coronation.↑
44.Immediately.↑
45.Private.↑
46.Ready to ride.↑
47.Approval.↑
48.Besides.↑
49.Ordered.↑
50.Did they deceive.↑
51.Permitted.↑
52.Under guard.↑
54.Alighted.↑
55.↑
56.Planned.↑
57.Lords.↑
58.Mattered.↑
59.A contemporary elision of Pontefract Castle, Wakefield,
where Rivers and Grey were held and executed.↑
61.Given.↑
62.By chance.↑
64.Meat prepared.↑
65.Speaking.↑
67.Informed earlier.↑
69.Slammed.↑
70.Table.↑
71.Armor.↑
72.Random.↑
73.Log.↑
74.Pillage.↑
75.Diminishing.↑
77.Misuse.↑
78.Prudently.↑
82.Sake of appearances.↑
83.Pretext.↑
84.Wicked with.↑
85.Outer petticoat.↑
87.With many good friends.↑
88.Attractive.↑
89.Beautiful.↑
90.Wrinkled.↑
91.Play.↑
93.It seems to me.↑
94.A court held in the Guildhall of London by the Lord Mayor, Recorder, and Sheriffs
(or Aldermen), long the supreme court of the city (OED
husting, n. 2.2.a).↑
95.Come.↑
96.Reveal.↑
97.Certainly.↑
102.Squandered.↑
107.Expects.↑
108.Thomas Burdet was a Warwickshire landowner who cursed the name of Edward IV after
the king had killed a prized deer on his property. After he was heard wishing “the
horns of the deer in the king’s body”, he was arrested and executed for treason.↑
109.Sir John Markham was Chief Justice of the king’s bench from 1462 to 1469, and was
superseded from his position after refusing to automatically convict Thomas Cooke,
lord mayor of London, of treason at the king’s command.↑
110.Sir Thomas Cooke was lord mayor of London from 1462 to 1463 and was accused of treason
for loaning money to Margaret of Anjou, the wife of the deposed Henry VI.↑
111.Slight.↑
112.Division.↑
114.Urgently.↑
115.Would prefer to.↑
116.Unbearable.↑
117.Reasonable.↑
118.Knows.↑
119.Thoroughly.↑
120.The fictional name More gives to Edward IV’s lover, Lady
Eleanor Talbot, to whom he was
precontractedby dint of their prior relationship.↑
121.Entirely unsuitable.↑
123.Powerful.↑
124.Office.↑
125.Mature.↑
126.Advantage.↑
127.Expected.↑
129.A magistrate or a judge whose oral statements were
considered the highest evidence of fact (OED
recorder, n.1).↑
130.Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam, Recorder for London, who served as Speaker of the House of
Commons from 1489 to 1490.↑
131.Wise.↑
132.Whispered.↑
133.Ambush.↑
134.John Nesfield, a squire of the body to Richard III.↑
135.Belonging.↑
136.Crowd, throng.↑
138.Eyes.↑
139.Richard staged his wooing at Baynard’s Castle purposefully. His brother, Edward IV
was crowned there, and being only a short distance from St. Paul’s, it was near to
where his pro-Richard sermons were preached. The castle was destroyed in the Great
Fire of London.↑
140.Explain.↑
141.Know.↑
142.Praise.↑
143.Duty.↑
144.The Page.↑
145.Stool.↑
147.Qualities.↑
148.Safe.↑
150.Looked after.↑
151.Hardened, experienced.↑
156.Buried.↑
158.Insecurity.↑
159.Dragged.↑
Prosopography
Anonymous
Helen Ostovich
Helen Ostovich, professor emerita of English at McMaster University, is the founder
and general editor of Queen’s Men Editions. She is a general editor of The Revels Plays (Manchester University Press); Series
Editor of Studies in Performance and Early Modern Drama (Ashgate, now Routledge),
and series co-editor of Late Tudor and Stuart Drama (MIP); play-editor of several
works by Ben Jonson, in Four Comedies: Ben Jonson (1997); Every Man Out of his Humour (Revels 2001); and The Magnetic Lady (Cambridge 2012). She has also edited the Norton Shakespeare 3 The Merry Wives of Windsor Q1602 and F1623 (2015); The Late Lancashire Witches and A Jovial Crew for Richard Brome Online, revised for a 4-volume set from OUP 2021; The Ball, for the Oxford Complete Works of James Shirley (2021); The Merry Wives of Windsor for Internet Shakespeare Editions, and The Dutch Courtesan (with Erin Julian) for the Complete Works of John Marston, OUP 2022. She has published
many articles and book chapters on Jonson, Shakespeare, and others, and several book
collections, most recently Magical Transformations of the Early Modern English Stage with Lisa Hopkins (2014), and the equivalent to book website, Performance as Research in Early English Theatre Studies: The Three Ladies of London in Context containing scripts, glossary, almost fifty conference papers edited and updated to
essays; video; link to Queen’s Mens Ediitons and YouTube: http://threeladiesoflondon.mcmaster.ca/contexts/index.htm, 2015. Recently, she was guest editor of Strangers and Aliens in London ca 1605,
Special Issue on Marston, Early Theatre 23.1 (June 2020). She can be contacted at ostovich@mcmaster.ca.
Janelle Jenstad
Janelle Jenstad is a Professor of English at the University of Victoria, Director
of The Map of Early Modern London, and Director of Linked Early Modern Drama Online. With Jennifer Roberts-Smith and Mark Beatrice Kaethler, she co-edited Shakespeare’s Language in Digital Media: Old Words, New Tools (Routledge). She has edited John Stow’s A Survey of London (1598 text) for MoEML and is currently editing The Merchant of Venice (with Stephen Wittek) and Heywood’s 2 If You Know Not Me You Know Nobody for DRE. Her articles have appeared in Digital Humanities Quarterly, Elizabethan Theatre, Early Modern Literary Studies, Shakespeare Bulletin, Renaissance and Reformation, and The Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. She contributed chapters to Approaches to Teaching Othello (MLA); Teaching Early Modern Literature from the Archives (MLA); Institutional Culture in Early Modern England (Brill); Shakespeare, Language, and the Stage (Arden); Performing Maternity in Early Modern England (Ashgate); New Directions in the Geohumanities (Routledge); Early Modern Studies and the Digital Turn (Iter); Placing Names: Enriching and Integrating Gazetteers (Indiana); Making Things and Drawing Boundaries (Minnesota); Rethinking Shakespeare Source Study: Audiences, Authors, and Digital Technologies (Routledge); and Civic Performance: Pageantry and Entertainments in Early Modern London (Routledge). For more details, see janellejenstad.com.
Jennifer Parr
Jennifer Parr holds a Masters degree in European and Renaissance Drama from the University
of Warwick. She is an independent scholar and professional director and dramaturge
based in Toronto. As an undergraduate at the University of Toronto she became involved
as an actor with the P.L.S. Medieval and Renaissance Players’ productions of the Medieval
Mystery Cycles returning later to direct an all female company in the York Cycle Fall
of the Angels for the international full cycle production in 1998. Her recent productions
as director and dramaturge include an all female Julius Caesar and an experimental all female adaptation of Richard III: RIchard 3, Queens 4. Her ongoing research into the historical Richard III and the various theatrical
interpretations led to her joining the company of TTR3 as an observer and historical
resource for the cast. She also writes a monthly column on music theatre and dance
for The WholeNote magazine.
Jennifer Roberts-Smith
Jennifer Roberts-Smith is an associate professor of theatre and performance at the
University of Waterloo. Her interdisciplinary work in early modern performance editing
combines textual scholarship, performance as research, archival theatre history, and
design in the development of live and virtual renderings of early modern performance
texts, venues, and practices. With Janelle Jenstad and Mark Beatrice Kaethler, she
is co-editor of Shakespeare’s Language in Digital Media: Old Words New Tools (2018). Her most recent work has focused on methods for design research that deepen
interdisciplinary understanding and take a relational approach. She is currently managing
director of the qCollaborative (the critical feminist design research lab housed in the University of Waterloo’s Games Institute, and leads the SSHRC-funded Theatre for Relationality and Design for Peace projects.
She is also creative director and virtual reality development cluster lead for the
Digital Oral Histories for Reconciliation (DOHR) project. She can be contacted at
jennifer.roberts-smith@uwaterloo.ca.
Joey Takeda
Joey Takeda is LEMDO’s Consulting Programmer and Designer, a role he assumed in 2020
after three years as the Lead Developer on LEMDO.
Kate LeBere
Project Manager, 2020–2021. Assistant Project Manager, 2019–2020. Textual Remediator
and Encoder, 2019–2021. Kate LeBere completed her BA (Hons.) in History and English
at the University of Victoria in 2020. During her degree she published papers in The Corvette (2018), The Albatross (2019), and PLVS VLTRA (2020) and presented at the English Undergraduate Conference (2019), Qualicum History
Conference (2020), and the Digital Humanities Summer Institute’s Project Management
in the Humanities Conference (2021). While her primary research focus was sixteenth
and seventeenth century England, she completed her honours thesis on Soviet ballet
during the Russian Cultural Revolution. She is currently a student at the University
of British Columbia’s iSchool, working on her masters in library and information science.
Mahayla Galliford
Project manager, 2025-present; research assistant, 2021-present. Mahayla Galliford
(she/her) graduated with a BA (Hons with distinction) from the University of Victoria
in 2024. Mahayla’s undergraduate research explored early modern stage directions and
civic water pageantry. Mahayla continues her studies through UVic’s English MA program
and her SSHRC-funded thesis project focuses on editing and encoding girls’ manuscripts,
specifically Lady Rachel Fane’s dramatic entertainments, in collaboration with LEMDO.
Martin Holmes
Martin Holmes has worked as a developer in the UVic’s Humanities Computing and Media
Centre for over two decades, and has been involved with dozens of Digital Humanities
projects. He has served on the TEI Technical Council and as Managing Editor of the
Journal of the TEI. He took over from Joey Takeda as lead developer on LEMDO in 2020.
He is a collaborator on the SSHRC Partnership Grant led by Janelle Jenstad.
Nicole Vatcher
Technical Documentation Writer, 2020–2022. Nicole Vatcher completed her BA (Hons.)
in English at the University of Victoria in 2021. Her primary research focus was women’s
writing in the modernist period.
Peter Cockett
Peter Cockett is an associate professor in the Theatre and Film Studies at McMaster
University. He is the general editor (performance), and technical co-ordinating editor
of Queen’s Men Editions. He was the stage director for the Shakespeare and the Queen’s Men project (SQM),
directing King Leir, The Famous Victories of Henry V, and Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay (2006) and he is the performance editor for our editions of those plays. The process
behind those productions is documented in depth on his website Performing the Queen’s Men. Also featured on this site are his PAR productions of Clyomon and Clamydes (2009) and Three Ladies of London (2014). For the PLS, the University of Toronto’s Medieval and Renaissance Players,
he has directed the Digby Mary Magdalene (2003) and the double bill of George Peele’s The Old Wives Tale and the Chester Antichrist (2004). He also directed An Experiment in Elizabethan Comedy (2005) for the SQM project and Inside Out: The Persistence of Allegory (2008) in collaboration with Alan Dessen. Peter is a professional actor and director
with numerous stage and screen credits. He can be contacted at cockett@mcmaster.ca.
Raphael Holinshed
Sam Seaberg
Samuel Seaberg, a University of Victoria English undergrad, enjoys riding his bike.
During the summer of 2025, he began working with LEMDO as a recipient of the Valerie
Kuehne Undergraduate Research Award (VKURA). Unfortunately, due to his summer being
spent primarily in working to establish an edition of Thomas Heywood’s If You Know Not Me, You Know Nobody, Part 2 and consequently working out how to represent multi-text works in a digital space,
his bike has suffered severely of sheltered seclusion from the sun.
Toby Malone
Toby Malone is an Australian/Canadian academic, dramaturg, and librarian. He is a
graduate of the University of Toronto (PhD, 2009) and the University of Western Australia
(BA Hons, 2001), and the University of Western Ontario (MLIS, 2023). He has worked
as a theatre artist across the world, with companies including the Stratford Festival,
Canadian Stage, Soulpepper, Driftwood Theatre Group, the Shaw Festival, Poorboy Theatre
Scotland, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, CBC, BT/A, and Kill
Shakespeare Entertainment. He has published in Shakespeare Survey, Literature/Film Quarterly, Canadian Theatre Review, Borrowers and Lenders, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Literature, appears in published collections with Routledge, Cambridge, and Oxford. Publications
include two monographs: dapting War Horse (Palgrave McMillan) and Cutting Plays for Performance: A Practical and Accessible Guide (Routledge), and is currently co-writing an updated version of Shakespeare in Performance: Romeo and Juliet with Jill L. Levenson for Manchester UP. Toby has previously taught at the University
of Waterloo and the State University of New York at Oswego, is currently Research
Impact Librarian at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Tracey El Hajj
Junior Programmer 2019–2020. Research Associate 2020–2021. Tracey received her PhD
from the Department of English at the University of Victoria in the field of Science
and Technology Studies. Her research focuses on the algorhythmics of networked communications. She was a 2019–2020 President’s Fellow in Research-Enriched
Teaching at UVic, where she taught an advanced course on
Artificial Intelligence and Everyday Life.Tracey was also a member of the Map of Early Modern London team, between 2018 and 2021. Between 2020 and 2021, she was a fellow in residence at the Praxis Studio for Comparative Media Studies, where she investigated the relationships between artificial intelligence, creativity, health, and justice. As of July 2021, Tracey has moved into the alt-ac world for a term position, while also teaching in the English Department at the University of Victoria.
Bibliography
More, Thomas.
The History of King Richard the Third.Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland. London: Imprinted for John Hunne, 1577. 3P5v–3R8v. STC 13568b.
OED: The Oxford English Dictionary. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989.
Orgography
LEMDO Team (LEMD1)
The LEMDO Team is based at the University of Victoria and normally comprises the project
director, the lead developer, project manager, junior developers(s), remediators,
encoders, and remediating editors.
Queen’s Men Editions (QME1)
The Queen’s Men Editions anthology is led by Helen Ostovich, General Editor; Peter
Cockett, General Editor (Performance); and Andrew Griffin, General Editor (Text).
University of Victoria (UVIC1)
https://www.uvic.ca/Metadata
| Authority title | Excerpts from The History of King Richard the Third |
| Type of text | Primary Source |
| Publisher | University of Victoria on the Linked Early Modern Drama Online Platform |
| Series | |
| Source |
This file has been converted from IML, the SGML markup language of the Internet Shakespeare
Editions platform. IML files do not indicate the copy or copytext transcribed. LEMDO
acknowledges that we are not the main source of transcription, and that we do not
know the witness transcribed in this transcription. As time permits, we will compare
this transcription to an open-access digital surrogate and align the transcription
that surrogate. If you have worked on ISE and/or may have an idea as to the source
of this file, please contact lemdo@uvic.ca.
|
| Editorial declaration | Prepared by Toby Malone for the Queen’s Men Editions. |
| Edition | Released with LEMDO Classroom 0.3.5 |
| Sponsor(s) |
Queen’s Men EditionsThe Queen’s Men Editions anthology is led by Helen Ostovich, General Editor; Peter
Cockett, General Editor (Performance); and Andrew Griffin, General Editor (Text).
|
| Encoding description | |
| Document status | published |
| License/availability |
Intellectual copyright in this edition is held by the editor, Toby Malone. The critical paratexts, including this
Annotation,are licensed under a CC BY-NC_ND 4.0 license, which means that they are freely downloadable without permission under the following conditions: (1) credit must be given to the editor, QME, and LEMDO in any subsequent use of the files and/or data; (2) the content cannot be adapted or repurposed (except for quotations for the purposes of academic review and citation); and (3) commercial uses are not permitted without the knowledge and consent of QME, the editor, and LEMDO. This license allows for pedagogical use of the critical paratexts in the classroom. Production photographs and videos on this site may not be downloaded. They appear
freely on this site with the permission of the actors and the ACTRA union. They may
be used within the context of university courses, within the classroom, and for reference
within research contexts, including conferences, when credit is given to the producing
company and to the actors. Commercial use of videos and photographs is forbidden.
|