Birth of Richard III, at the Northamptonshire Castle of Fotheringay
Historical person
Richard III Biography
Historical biography and chronological timeline for Richard III, based on 90 World History Database records associated with England.
Chronological biography
1452
1461
Returns to England to witness the coronation of his brother Edward IV
Elected Knight of the Garter. Created Duke of Gloucester on the eve of Edward IVs, his brother, coronation
Richard is placed under the care of the Lancastrians
Victory improves Richards chances of succession. Richard Duke of Yorks brother Edward wins the Battle of Towton
About 28,000 are killed, the most bloody Battle on English soil
1469
Richard retakes the rebel strongholds of Carmarthen & Cardigan
Appointed Constable of England after the restoration of Edward IV
Appited Constable of England, receives Sudeley Castle
1471
Helps restore Edward IV to the throne by defeating the Lancastrians
Rewarded with the Earl of Warwicks lands by Edward IV
Appointed Warden of the West Marches
Helps restore Edward IV to the throne by defeating the Lancastrians
1472
Confirms Richards title to Warwicks north possessions. Confirms Richards & share of the Beauchamp estates
Marries Anne Neville, younger daughter of Warwick & widow of Edward Prince of Wales
1473
Henry Percy recognizes Richards control of Westmorland, Cumberland & the West Riding
Birth of Edward, by theDuchess of Gloucester
York regards Richard as its protector
1478
Takes possession of Warwick castle after the execution of George of Clarenc
Takes possession of Warwick castle after the execution of George of Clarenc
Parliament bans football in order to keep up the standard of archery
1480
Richard III launches a border raid into Scotland, curtain raiser for a full scale invasion in 1481
Appointed Lieutenant General of the North
1481
Launches a minor border raid into Scotland with Northumberland. Invasion plans with Edward IV fail due to his failing health & financial problems
1482
Richard & Edward IV meet James IIIs brother the Duke of Albany to plan an invasion
Enters Edinburgh unopposed after James III had been the victim of a coup
Richard gathers an army of 20,000 at Alnwick Castle
Berwick surrenders to Richard, it had been surrendered to the Scots 2 decades before
Enters Edinburgh unopposed after James III had been the victim of a coup
The Scots agree to the permanent cession of Berwick to the English crown
1483
Richard III arrests Edward Vs Chamberlain Thomas Vaughan
Marries Anne Nevill
Rewarded with Carlisle
Rewarded with the King's properties in the county of Cumberland
Marches on Nottingham
Succeeds as King of England. On Edward IVs death becomes Lord high protector of the realm for his nephew Edward V
Appointed Protector for his nephew Edward V
Appointed Warden of the West Marshes
Edward IV names Richard as the Protector for his son Edward V
Appointed Protector over the 12 year old Edward V by the late Edward IV
Departs from York with a force of 600 to meet Earl Rivers at Northampton
Richard III joins Lord Rivers who is escorting Edward V to London to be crowned
Rivers is arrested by Richard III on the advice of Buckingham
Richard travels to Stratford & returns with the heir, Edward Prince of Wales
Richard III arrests Edward Vs half brother Lord Richard Grey
At Buckinghams suggestion Edward is kept in the Tower
Elizabeth Woodville refuses to retire as Queen Dowager
Richard III enters London with Edward V for his coronation
Writes a letter appealing to the Northern Nobles to join forces with him in London
Has Rotherham arrested for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower. Has Hastings executed for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower
Has Stanley arrested for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower. Has Morton arrested for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower
Has Hastings executed for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower
Has Rotherham arrested for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower. Has Hastings executed for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower
Has Stanley arrested for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower. Has Morton arrested for treason during a meeting of the Council at the Tower
Forces Elizabeth Woodville to surrender the Duke of York
Has Edward Vs brother Richard Duke of York moved from the sanctuary of Westminster
Richard III, the Lord Protector, has Grey executed for treason
Richard III, the Lord Protector, has Grey executed for treason
The Lords & Commons assemble in Parliament & ratify the Protectorate
Parliament petitions Richard to accept the crown. All of Elizabeth's children by Edward, including King Edward V, are declared illegitimate, and her brother-in-law, Richard III, accepts the crown
Richard III, the Lord Protector, has Grey executed for treason
11th child & Eighth youngest son of Richard Plantagenet & Lady Cicely Nevill
A deputation led by Buckingham with Parliaments petition ask Richard to become King
Crowned in Westminster by Cardinal Bourchier
The Duke of Buckingham is executed by Richard III for instegating a Lancastrian plot
The Duke of Buckingham is executed by Richard III for instegating a Lancastrian plot
1484
Henry Tudor escapes to Paris
The Lancastrian heir, Henry Tudor, makes attemptts to land in Dorset & Devon
Executes or pardons those who had been involved in Henry Tudor's invasion attemptts
Henry Tudor is warned of a kidnap attempt by supporters of Richard III
Sets up a Northern Council at Sandal under his nephew John de la Pole
Death of Edward Prince of Wales, Richard's only son & heir
Without an heir & a wife who cannot have children support rallies to Henry Tudor
A 3-year truce follows the marriage of Richard's niece Anne de la Pole & James III's son
Avoids war on 2 fronts with Scotland & the Lancastrian invasion force of Henry Tudor
1485
Spring, stays at Nottingham Castle & forms an HQ
Viscount Lovel & the fleet gather to safegaurd the Channel
Queen Anne & his only legitimate son Edward the Prince of Wales die. Declares his nephew John de la Pole as heir presumptive
Richard IIIs Queen dies a year after the death of their only son Edward
Henry Tudor lands at Milford Haven
Musters his Army at Nottingham Market Place
Greeted by the people of Leicester, rests overnight at the Blue Boar
Arrives at Elmesthorpe, 9 miles from Leicester
Leaves from his military HQ for Leicester to do Battle with Henry Tudor
Marches west from Leicester to within about 2 miles of Henry Tudor
The last King of England to die in battle. Richards horse sinks in a bog where is surrounded by his enemies & killed. Henry Tudor is challenged by Richard at Bosworth Field. Despite having a larger army Richard is killed after Stanley defects with 7,000 troops
Death of Richard III, killed at Bosworth
Death of Richard III, killed at Bosworth
Displayed for 2 days & then buried in the churcyh of the Greyfriars
Taken to Leicester from Bosworth
Titles and roles
King ยท King ยท Constable ยท King ยท Lieutenant General ยท King ยท Protector ยท King ยท Warden of West Marches
Record provenance
This biography is assembled from World History Database records filtered by country and personal-name fields. Exact duplicate display records are removed. The database is an index rather than a complete narrative biography; formal research should verify entries against relevant primary or specialist sources.