Richard III and the Death of Chivalry - Hardcover

Hipshon, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0750950749 ISBN 13: 9780750950749

Publisher: The History Press, 2009

Synopsis

The conventional view of Richard III’s defeat at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 is that it was due to a loss of support for him after his usurpation of the throne. However, David Hipshon argues that the result might very well have been in his favor, had not his support for James Harrington in a long-running family feud with Thomas, Lord Stanley led to the latter betraying him. Bosworth was the last English battle in which the monarch relied on feudal retainers: at Stoke two years later professional mercenaries were the key to Henry VII’s victory. The author examines how the power politics of the conflict between the Stanleys and the Harringtons, and Richard’s motives in supporting the latter, led to the king’s death on the battlefield, the succession of the Tudors to the throne of England, the "death of chivalry," and the end of the Middle Ages.

About this title

About the Author:

David Hipshon has written articles on Gregory the Great and on Charlemagne and Alcuin, but his great passion is the Wars of the Roses.

About this edition

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0750950749
• ISBN 13: 9780750950749
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224