King Richard III of England Timeline 1452-1485

King Richard III, was born to Richard of York and Cecily Neville at Fotheringay Castle.

King Henry VI suffered a mental breakdown and was unfit to rule. Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, a favourite of King Henry and Margaret of Anjou took control of government.

Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, adviser to the King, was annoyed that his enemy, Somerset, had control and turned his favour to Richard’s father, Richard Duke of York.

A son, Edward, was born to King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou at the Palace of Westminster. He was created Duke of Cornwall.

Henry’s son, Edward, was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester.

Richard’s father, Richard of York became protector in place of Somerset because many royal councillors were unhappy with the way Somerset was handling government.

Henry VI regained his mental capacity. He put Somerset back in control of government.

Richard’s father, Richard of York, his grandfather and the Earl of Warwick began raising troops against King Henry and Somerset.

Wars of the Roses began
First Battle of St Albans
This battle saw the forces of Warwick, Salisbury and Richard Duke of York defeat the Lancastrians led by Somerset and Northumberland. The Duke of  Somerset was killed in the battle and King Henry VI was captured.

With the King under his control, Richard’s father, Richard Duke of York, became Protector of the realm again.

Richard’s father, Richard Duke of York, was dismissed as regent when Henry resumed personal rule supported by Queen Margaret.

Battle of Blore Heath
Richard’s father, Richard Duke of York, supported by Salisbury fought off a Lancastrian attack that was supported by the Percy family.

Rout of Ludlow
Threatened by Margaret of Anjou and her supporters, Richard’s father, Richard of York, Warwick and the Nevilles mustered their supporters at Ludlow but when the main Lancastrian army appeared their men deserted. Richard of York fled to Ireland. Richard’s brother, Edward was taken to Calais with his grandfather, Salisbury and the Earl of Warwick.

Richard and his family had all their titles and lands forfeited by Act of Attainder.

Richard’s brother Edward, accompanied by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and the Earl of Salisbury landed at Sandwich at the head of an army and marched towards London.

Battle of Northampton
Richard’s brother Edward, Earl of March and Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, defeated a Lancastrian force led by Humphrey, Stafford and Buckingham and captured Henry VI. Margaret of Anjou and Prince Edward fled to Harlech Castle.

Richard’s father, Richard of York, claimed the throne but the landowners, refused to accept him as anything other than heir to the throne.

Act of Accord
Richard’s father, Richard Duke of York, was named successor to the throne over Henry VI’s son, Edward.

Battle of Wakefield
Queen Margaret, unwilling to accept the disinheritance of her son Edward, raised an army in the north. Richard’s father, Richard of York was forced to march north where he was defeated and killed by the Lancastrian force. Richard’s brother Edmund, was also killed.

Richard’s brother, Edward inherited his father’s titles of Duke of York, Earl of Ulster and Earl of Cambridge.

Henry VI was released from captivity but was still mentally unstable and as a consequence was unfit to rule.

Richard and his brother George were taken to the Netherlands by their mother for safety. His elder brother, Edward was put forward as a claimant to the throne by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.

Battle of Mortimer’s Cross
Richard’s brother, Edward led a Yorkist army that defeated a Lancastrian force led by the Earls of Pembroke and Wiltshire on route to join Margaret of Anjou’s advance on London.

Second Battle of St Albans
The Yorkists were defeated in this battle that saw Henry VI returned to Lancastrian hands. Margaret of Anjou knew that London had to be recaptured but stalled on hearing that Londoners would not open the gates to her forces.

Richard’s brother Edward joined forces with Warwick and marched towards London. They were welcomed to the city.

Edward Duke of York took the throne as King Edward IV with Warwick as his chief adviser.

Battle of Towton
Edward pursued the Lancastrians north and attacked them near Tadcaster. After a long fight in heavy snowfall, the Lancastrians were defeated having suffered heavy casualties.

Following the Lancastrian defeat at the Battle of Towton, Margaret and Prince Edward fled to Scotland where they were given refuge. Henry was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Richard and his family returned to England.

Edward IV was crowned King at Westminster Abbey.

Warwick was the real power behind the crown and made decisions and shaped policy.

Richard was created Duke of Gloucester.

Warwick was created High Admiral of England and Steward of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Warwick successfully negotiated a truce with Scotland.

Richard was appointed Constable of Corfe Castle in Dorset and Governor of the North.

Margaret of Anjou invaded with French troops and with the support of northern nobles including Ralph Percy took the castles of Alnwick and Bamburgh.

Warwick had recaptured Alnwick and Bamburgh castles. The leaders of the rebellion were pardoned and Warwick returned to London.

Ralph Percy and northern nobles rose in support of Henry VI and took Northumberland and Norham. Warwick returned to the north and took Norham but was unable to take Northumberland. Unable to put the rebellions down, Warwick negotiated a truce with France which would be sealed with the marriage of Edward IV to the French King’s sister. Without French support the Lancastrians were unable to maintain there hold on the north. The leaders of the rebellion were executed.

Richard’s brother Edward secretly married Elizabeth Woodville, daughter of Richard Woodville, Baron Rivers.

Richard’s brother Edward announced his marriage. Warwick was angry with Edward because he had promised the French that Edward would seal their alliance with a royal marriage between the two countries.

Richard began his education in the household of Warwick.

Henry VI was captured by Yorkist forces and taken to the Tower of London.

A daughter, Elizabeth, was born to Richard’s brother Edward and Elizabeth Woodville at the Palace of Westminster.

Warwick was sent to negotiate with both the French and the Burgundians. Any truce would be sealed with the marriage of Edward’s sister Margaret. Warwick believed that a truce with France would be best for the country.

King Edward made the Queen’s father, Baron Rivers, treasurer. Rivers pressed for an alliance with the Burgundians bringing him into conflict with Warwick who favoured a French alliance.

Warwick learned that Edward had gone behind his back and signed a treaty with the Burgundians. Warwick was frustrated and annoyed that Edward favoured his wife’s relatives rather than his trusted advisors.

Warwick was accused of plotting to return Henry VI to the throne. Warwick refused to attend court to answer the charge but instead sent a letter of denial which the King accepted.

Richard’s illegitimate son, John, was born. The identity of his mother is not known but he was acknowledged.

Warwick, frustrated by his lack of power over Edward, turned his attention to Richard’s brother, George, Duke of Clarence who he possibly intended to make King in Edward’s stead.

Richard was removed from Warwick’s household as relations between Warwick and the King broke down.

Warwick secretly organised a rebellion against Edward in the North. The rebellion, known as Robin of Redesdale’s Rebellion, was quickly put down by the Yorkists.

Battle of Edgecote Moor
Warwick raised an army of northern rebels led by Sir John Conyers, Edward’s cousin. They defeated a force of Welsh loyalists led by William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke.

Warwick captured Edward IV, and executed Baron Rivers and his son. With Edward in captivity he married his daughter to George Duke of Clarence. Warwick then attempted to rule in Edward’s name but he was not supported by the nobility.

Warwick moved Edward IV to Middleham Castle where he remained under house arrest.

Failing to gain the support of the nobility and with the country descending into disorder Warwick was forced to release Edward IV.

Edward and Warwick tried to work together but when Edward went against Warwick’s advice and restored Henry Percy to Northumberland their relationship broke down.

Richard was created Constable of England.

Richard’s illegitimate daughter, Katherine, was born. The identity of her mother is not known, but it is likely she was the sister of Richard’s illegitimate son, John.

Battle of Losecoat Field
Warwick and George Duke of Clarence, with Lancastrian support, rebelled against Edward but were defeated. They fled to France.

Warwick made an alliance with Margaret of Anjou.

Warwick and the Duke of Clarence at the head of an army returned to England and landed at Plymouth.

In the face of mounting opposition from Warwick, Richard and Edward IV fled to Burgundy.

Henry VI was restored to the English throne with Warwick as chief minister.

A son, Edward, was born to Edward and Elizabeth Woodville at the Palace of Westminster.

Warwick’s daughter, Anne, married Henry VI’s son and heir, Edward at Angers Cathedral.

Richard and Edward’s titles and lands were confiscated by Parliament.

Richard returned to England with his brother Edward, landing at Ravenspur in Yorkshire at the head of a Burgundian Yorkist army. They were joined by the Earl of Northumberland and their brother George Duke of Clarence who had defected from Warwick.

Battle of Barnet
The Lancastrians led by Warwick met Edward’s Yorkist force at Barnet. Richard led the vanguard. After a three hour fight in thick fog, two Lancastrian divisions mistakenly attacked each other and the army broke and fled. Warwick fled but was knocked off his horse and killed.

Battle of Tewekesbury
Richard and Edward attacked Margaret of Anjou’s forces as they were leaving for Wales. The Lancastrians were defeated and Edward, Prince of Wales, was killed. Margaret of Anjou was captured.

Edward returned triumphant to London. It is believed that Henry was murdered in the Tower of London on the same day. Margaret was placed under house arrest.

Richard was created Lieutenant of the North, High Sherrif of Cumberland and Commander-in-Chief against the Scots.

Henry Tudor, son of Edmund Tudor and Margaret Beaufort, grandson of Catherine of Valois, wife of Henry V, by her second marriage to Owen Tudor, the last remaining Lancastrian hope for the crown, fled to Brittany with his uncle, Jaspar Tudor.

Edward IV’s son, Edward was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester.

Richard proposed to Anne Neville, daughter of the deceased Earl of Warwick and former wife of Edward Prince of Wales, son of Henry VI. Anne had been held under house arrest by Richard’s brother George Duke of Clarence.

Richard married Anne Neville at Westminster Abbey. The marriage gave Richard the support of many of Anne’s father’s former supporters in the North.

Richard’s mother-in-law, Anne de Beauchamp, joined Richard and his wife at Middleham Castle.

Richard’s son Edward was born at Middleham Castle, Yorkshire. He was known as Edward of Middleham. Some historians give his birth as December 1476.

Richard’s brother Edward negotiated a peace with Scotland.

Richard’s brother Edward invaded France with a large army to support his Burgundian allies against France.

Treaty of Picquigny
Having received no help from Burgundy Edward decided to negotiate a peace with France. This was a seven year peace treaty between Louis XI and Edward IV that agreed that Louis would pay a yearly sum of money to keep the English away from France. Louis also agreed to pay a ransom to free Margaret of Anjou. Richard did not agree with his brother’s action in agreeing this truce.

Richard and his wife, Anne, joined the Corpus Christi Guild of York.

Richard’s brother, George Duke of Clarence, was tried for treason and executed.

On Edward’s orders, Richard invaded Scotland.

Richard re-took Berwick from the Scots.

King Edward became ill. He nominated his brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester to be regent for his young son Edward in the event of his death.

King Edward died at the Palace of Westminster. He was buried in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. In accordance with Edward’s wishes, Richard became Lord High Protector.

Edward was given the news that his father had died at Ludlow Castle where he was staying with his Woodville relatives.

Richard, who was in the North, was informed of his brother’s death. He wrote to Lord Rivers, at Ludlow Castle pledging loyalty to the young king.

Richard held a funeral ceremony for his brother. He also made the nobility swear an oath of fealty to the young Edward V.

Richard left York to travel to London.

Edward began the journey south to London escorted by his Woodville family. The Woodvilles were keen to get Edward to London and have him crowned so as not to lose power.

Richard Duke of Gloucester met Edward and his party as they were travelling south. He arrested Earl Rivers, Richard Grey and Thomas Vaughan and sent them north where they were placed in captivity. He took then captured Edward and continued on to the Tower of London.

On hearing of her father’s arrest, Elizabeth Woodville, her son Richard, her five daughters and her brother Lionel sought sanctuary at Westminster Abbey.

Richard and Edward reached London. This day had originally been intended for the coronation ceremony.

Richard was officially appointed Lord Protector.

Richard announced that the King’s coronation wold take place on 22nd June.

Edward reached the Tower of London.

Buckingham told Richard that he suspected William Hastings of being disloyal and plotting with the Woodvilles.

William Hastings was summoned to a Council meeting in the Tower of London. He was charged with treason and executed without trial on the same day.

Edward’s brother Richard joined him in the Tower of London. Elizabeth Woodville had been persuaded to give him up in the hopes of maintaining the safety of her other children.

Richard announced that the King’s coronation would now take place in October.

Ralph Shaw preached a sermon stating that Edward IV had been contracted to marry Eleanor Butler when he married Elizabeth Woodville and that the marriage was therefore invalid and his children all illegitimate.

Parliament declared that as Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was invalid and the children of Richard of Gloucester’s older brother, George Duke of Clarence had been denied succession rights, then Richard was the rightful King.

Earl River was found guilty of treason and executed the same day.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, took the throne as King Richard III.

Edward and his brother were last seen playing in the gardens of the Tower.

Richard was crowned King Richard III, his wife, Anne was crowned Queen consort. The princes Edward and Richard did not attend the coronation.

The princes’ servants were dismissed.

Richard, accompanied by his wife and son left London to make a progress of the country.

The princes, Edward and Richard were last seen at the windows of the Tower.

Richard’s son, Edward, was created Prince of Wales.

Richard reached York on his progress. He was well received by the city.

Richard’s son, Edward, was invested as Prince of Wales in a ceremony held at York Minster. On the same day Richard’s illegitimate son, John was knighted.

The Duke of Buckingham rebelled against Richard’s rule. Buckingham was supported by Henry Tudor, son of Edmund Tudor (who was the son of Owen Tudor and Henry V’s widow, Catherine of Valois) and Margaret Beaufort.

Buckingham was executed.

Henry Tudor announced that he was the rightful King of England and that when he took the throne he would marry Edward IV’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth of York.

Richard’s illegitimate daughter, Katherine, married William Herbert, Earl of Huntingdon.

King Richard III, his wife and son, made a progress of Kent.

Titulus Regius
This act, passed by Parliament, formally declared Richard to be lawful King and settled the succession on his son Edward. The children of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville were declared illegitimate.

Elizabeth Woodville paid homage to Richard and left sanctuary with her daughters.

Richard’s son, Edward died.

King Richard III moved the Council of the North to Sandal in Yorkshire.

Richard agreed a three year truce with Scotland.

Richard’s wife, Anne Neville died probably of tuberculosis.

Henry Tudor landed at Milford Haven in Wales at the head of an army.

King Richard III called his army to muster at Leicester.

Richard, at the head of his army, left Leicester and marched to meet the forces of Henry Tudor.

Battle of Bosworth Field
This decisive battle between the forces of Henry Tudor and King Richard III, saw Richard killed and Henry proclaimed King Henry VII on the battlefield.

Richard III was buried quickly and quietly in the church of Greyfriars, Leicester.

Workmen working in a car park in Leicester discovered the site to be that of Greyfriars Church. A skeleton of an adult male with wounds to the skull and curvature of the spine was found. DNA testing began to discover if the remains were those of Richard III.

It was announced that DNA testing had confirmed that the skeleton found in the car park was that of King Richard III.

The remains of King Richard III were re-interred in a tomb in Leicester Cathedral.