Richard III

Chris Skidmore's examination of Richard III arrives at a pivotal moment in the historical reassessment of England's most debated medieval monarch. Published in the wake of the remarkable 2012 discovery of Richard's remains beneath a Leicester car park, this biography navigates the treacherous waters between centuries of Tudor propaganda and modern revisionist scholarship. Skidmore, a historian and former Member of Parliament, brings both academic rigor and accessible prose to a subject that has captivated historians, dramatists, and the public for more than five centuries.

The book tackles head-on the central question that has defined Richard III's legacy: was he the murderous usurper of Shakespeare's imagination, or a capable ruler maligned by his successors? Rather than simply championing one interpretation over another, Skidmore methodically examines the available evidence, acknowledging both the limitations of contemporary sources and the political motivations behind much of what was written about Richard after his death at Bosworth Field in 1485. This balanced approach proves refreshing in a field often characterized by partisan scholarship.

Skidmore's narrative traces Richard's life from his birth in 1452 through his childhood during the Wars of the Roses, his loyal service to his brother Edward IV, and his brief but tumultuous reign as king. The author excels at contextualizing Richard within the brutal political landscape of fifteenth-century England, where loyalty was fluid, violence endemic, and the struggle for power often meant the difference between coronation and execution. The Wars of the Roses serve not merely as backdrop but as essential context for understanding Richard's actions and the choices available to him.

The treatment of Richard's assumption of the throne in 1483 receives particular attention. Skidmore carefully reconstructs the events following Edward IV's unexpected death, examining how Richard moved from Lord Protector to crowned king within a matter of months. The declaration that Edward's children were illegitimate, the mysterious disappearance of the Princes in the Tower, and Richard's coronation are analyzed with attention to both contemporary chronicles and the political necessities of the moment. While Skidmore does not definitively solve the mystery of the princes' fate, he presents the various theories and evidence with clarity, allowing readers to understand the complexity of the question.

One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of Richard's actual governance during his two-year reign. Skidmore highlights legislative reforms, administrative competence, and attempts at creating a more equitable legal system. These achievements, often overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Richard's path to power, receive proper examination. The king's efforts to reform bail procedures, his concern for judicial fairness, and his attempts to regulate trade demonstrate a ruler engaged with the practical business of governance rather than merely the monster of later Tudor propaganda.

The author also addresses Richard's physical appearance, a subject of much speculation and mythmaking. The discovery of Richard's skeleton provided concrete evidence about his scoliosis, confirming a spinal curvature while debunking the exaggerated hunchback of popular imagination. Skidmore uses this finding as a springboard for discussing how Richard's appearance was weaponized by his enemies and how physical disability became conflated with moral corruption in Tudor-era propaganda.

Skidmore's examination of the Battle of Bosworth and Richard's death proves gripping and well-researched. The tactical decisions, the defections that undermined Richard's position, and the king's final charge that ended in his death are recounted with attention to military detail and human drama. The discovery of Richard's remains, showing multiple battle wounds including the fatal blow to the skull, added archaeological evidence to historical accounts, and Skidmore integrates these findings effectively.

The book's accessibility makes it suitable for both general readers and those more familiar with the period. Skidmore avoids the trap of assuming too much prior knowledge while never talking down to his audience. Complex political maneuverings are explained clearly, family relationships are kept straight, and the broader historical forces at play remain visible throughout the narrative.

While Skidmore maintains scholarly standards, some readers seeking a more definitive judgment on Richard's guilt or innocence regarding the princes may find the balanced approach frustrating. However, this restraint reflects the reality of historical evidence and the impossibility of certainty on certain questions. The book succeeds not by providing all the answers but by presenting the questions clearly and honestly, equipped with the best available evidence and contextualized within the period's realities. This measured biography contributes meaningfully to the ongoing conversation about one of English history's most enigmatic figures.