Richard III and the Murder in the Tower

by Peter A. Hancock

Overview

Since Tudor times Richard III has been painted as the "black legend," the murderous uncle—however, the truth is much more complicated and interesting
 
Richard III is accused of murdering his nephews, the "Princes in the Tower," in order to usurp the throne of England, but this book tells a different story. Rather than looking at all the killings Richard III did not commit, this account focuses on the one judicial murder for which we know that he was responsible. On June 13, 1483, William, Lord Hastings was hustled from a meeting of the Royal Council and summarily executed on Tower Green within the confines of the Tower of London. This book sheds light on the mystery of this precipitate and unadvised action by the then Duke of Gloucester and reveals the key role of William Catesby in Richard's ascent to the throne of England. It explains his curious actions during that tumultuous summer of three kings and provides an explanation for the fate of the "Princes in the Tower." Presenting complex theories in an entertaining style, this book features more than 50 pages of appendices, including transcripts of real documents and letters, as well as notes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780752457970
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	07/01/2011
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Peter A. Hancock is a psychology professor at the University of Central Florida. He lives in Orlando, Florida.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 7

Setting the Scene 9

1 The Path to the Throne 13

2 Eleanor Talbot, Lady Butler 33

3 William Catesby, Esquire of the Body 44

4 William, Lord Hastings 73

5 Jane Shore, Mistress of the King 87

6 Robert Stillington, Bishop of Bath & Wells 99

7 Return to the Tower 120

8 Summary and Narrative 139

Reference Materials 145

Appendices:

I The Cely, York and Stallworth Letters 156

II On the Date of the Death of William, Lord Hastings 161

III The Manor of Great Dorsett 164

IV The Letter of Sir William Catesby, 15 September 1452 169

V The Letter from Richard III to William Catesby 171

VI The Offices and Lands of William Catesby 173

Notes 184

Index 219

Editorial Reviews

"Philippa Gregory’s The White Queen is a fictional account of this period of history. . . . I would recommend this book on Richard III to anyone who wants to get to the truth."  —theanneboleynfiles.com



"Hancock not only knows his stuff, but he is able to present his theories lucidly, making what is frankly quite a difficult argument easy and entertaining to understand."  —Ripperologist

From the Publisher