IGCSE LITERATURE: RICHARD III - SHAKESPEARE
ONE WORD ANSWER TEST
30 MINUTES
50 MARKS
Answer the following questions in the spaces provided below.
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What fruit does Richard ask for from the garden of the bishop of Ely? .................................................
What animal is Richard constantly associated with in the play? ......................................................
What letter of the alphabet is given prominence in the opening scenes? ..............................................
Who dreams that Hastings is gored to death by a wild pig? ......................................................
Who is reputed to be a witch and associated with curses? ......................................................
Whom does Richard ask to spread a rumour? ......................................................
To whom/ what does Queen Elizabeth plead for mercy for her children? .............................................
What is Pomfret the name of? ......................................................
Who is Queen Elizabeth’s brother? ......................................................
Name one of Queen Elizabeth’s two sons. ......................................................
Who curses Richard 111 in the middle of Act 4 Scene iv? ......................................................
In Clarence’s dream, how does he die? ......................................................
What day is 2 Nov, on which the dead are able to communicate with the living? .................................
Whom does Richard 111 plan to finally marry to secure his position as king? .......................................
Name the mistress of King Edward IV. ......................................................
"Now is the .................. of our discontent” Fill in the missing word. .....................................................
What does Richard 111 fear more than ten thousand soldiers? ......................................................
Who is hired to kill the two princes in the Tower? ......................................................
What part of Richard’s body is deformed? ......................................................
What is Richmond’s name after he becomes king? ......................................................
For what would Richard trade his kingdom for during the final battle? ...............................................
Whose son does Richard hold hostage? ......................................................
In what century do the events of the play take place? ......................................................
To whom does Richard give his sword, asking to be killed? ......................................................
The Duke of Clarence is also called? ......................................................
What other name is Queen Elizabeth referred to by Richard 111? ......................................................
Whose corpse is Anne is walking along with? ......................................................
What does Richard give Anne as a mark of their relationship? ......................................................
Who is the mother of Edward IV, Clarence and Richard 111? ......................................................
Whom does Richard blame for the imprisonment of Clarence? ......................................................
Name the widow (former Queen) of King Henry VI. ......................................................
The beheading of which of his allies does Richard order? ......................................................
Name one of Clarence’s two children. ......................................................
Who betrays Richard 111 to Richmond eventually? ......................................................
Name one of the two killers of Hastings. ......................................................
Who is asked to put out the word that Edward’s children are illegitimate? ..........................................
Who kills Richard III? ......................................................
Who does Richmond marry? ......................................................
Where are the prisoners kept/ executed? ......................................................
Name one of the two royal families in the conflicts here. ......................................................
What happens to Anne? ......................................................
Who is Richard’s most trusted and relied on adviser? ......................................................
Which of Elizabeth’s close relatives flees and survives Richard? ......................................................
Who is a gullible/ suggestible fellow whom Richard and Buckingham use? ..........................................
Whose messenger pardoning Clarence is intercepted? ......................................................
“I am determined to prove a ...................” Fill in the missing word. ......................................................
What other name is Richard known by earlier in the play? ......................................................
Name one person in the play who dies of natural causes. ......................................................
Who breaks the news of Clarence’s execution to the others? ......................................................
Who does Richard claim conspired to kill him and Buckingham? ......................................................
IGCSE LITERATURE: RICHARD III - SHAKESPEARE
ONE WORD ANSWER TEST
30 MINUTES
50 MARKS
Answer the following questions in the spaces provided below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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What fruit does Richard ask for from the garden of the bishop of Ely? .................................................
What animal is Richard constantly associated with in the play? ......................................................
What letter of the alphabet is given prominence in the opening scenes? ..............................................
Who dreams that Hastings is gored to death by a wild pig? ......................................................
Who is reputed to be a witch and associated with curses? ......................................................
Richard asks Catesby to spread a rumour? ......................................................
To whom/ what does Queen Elizabeth plead for mercy for her children? .............................................
What is Pomfret the name of? ......................................................
Who is Queen Elizabeth’s brother? ......................................................
Name one of Queen Elizabeth’s two sons. ......................................................
Who curses Richard 111 in the middle of Act 4 Scene iv? ......................................................
In Clarence’s dream, how does he die? ......................................................
What day is 2 Nov, on which the dead are able to communicate with the living? .................................
Whom does Richard 111 plan to finally marry to secure his position as king? .......................................
Name the mistress of King Edward IV. ......................................................
"Now is the .................. of our discontent” Fill in the missing word. .....................................................
What does Richard 111 fear more than ten thousand soldiers? ......................................................
Who is hired to kill the two princes in the Tower? ......................................................
What part of Richard’s body is deformed? ......................................................
What is Richmond’s name after he becomes king? ......................................................
For what would Richard trade his kingdom for during the final battle? ...............................................
Whose son does Richard hold hostage? ......................................................
In what century do the events of the play take place? ......................................................
To whom does Richard give his sword, asking to be killed? ......................................................
The Duke of Clarence is also called? ......................................................
What other name is Queen Elizabeth referred to by Richard 111? ......................................................
Whose corpse is Anne is walking along with? ......................................................
What does Richard give Anne as a mark of their relationship? ......................................................
Who is the mother of Edward IV, Clarence and Richard 111? ......................................................
Whom does Richard blame for the imprisonment of Clarence? ......................................................
Name the widow (former Queen) of King Henry VI. ......................................................
The beheading of which of his allies does Richard order? ......................................................
Name one of Clarence’s two children. ......................................................
Who betrays Richard 111 to Richmond eventually? ......................................................
Name one of the two killers of Hastings. ......................................................
Who is asked to put out the word that Edward’s children are illegitimate? ..........................................
Who kills Richard III? ......................................................
Who does Richmond marry? ......................................................
Where are the prisoners kept/ executed? ......................................................
Name one of the two royal families in the conflicts here. ......................................................
What happens to Anne? ......................................................
Who is Richard’s most trusted and relied on adviser? ......................................................
Which of Elizabeth’s close relatives flees and survives Richard? ......................................................
Who is a gullible/ suggestible fellow whom Richard and Buckingham use? ..........................................
Whose messenger pardoning Clarence is intercepted? ......................................................
“I am determined to prove a ...................” Fill in the missing word. ......................................................
What other name is Richard known by earlier in the play? ......................................................
Name one person in the play who dies of natural causes. ......................................................
Who breaks the news of Clarence’s execution to the others? ......................................................
Who does Richard claim conspired to kill him and Buckingham? ......................................................
Frequently Asked Questions
We frequently receive emails that relate to various areas of Richard III, and the Foundation. We,
therefore, have taken the most commonly and frequently asked questions and provided the answers. We
will continue to update the list as the questions arise. Keep it coming! Your feedback is much appreciated.
You can send your question to Middleham@aol.com.
A.) What was the Wars of the Roses?
The Wars of the Roses was fought between the years of 1455 to 1487 between the House of York
and Lancaster. The name is derived from the badges utilized by the two sides: The red rose signifying
the House of Lancaster, and the white rose signified the House of York. The conflict arose from the
following points:
B.)
Who were the Lancastrians?
The Lancastarian claim to the throne was via Edward III's third son John of Gaunt. In October 1460, an
Act of Accord designated that the royal succession would move to the house of York after Henry VI's death
The Act of Accord was passed by the English parliament in October 1460 and drew up a new order of
succession to King Henry VI of England. Henry "should enjoy the throne of England for as long as he
should live", after which the throne would pass to Richard, Duke of York and his descendants, thus bypassing Prince Edward of Westminster, Henry's own heir.
C.) Who were the Yorkists?
Both the house of York and the house of Lancaster were descended from Edward III. Richard, duke of
York, had a dual claim to the throne, one through his mother and one through his father. Richard believed
his royal lineage was stronger than any person of the Lancastrian line and thus he (and his family) deserved
to inherit the crown. Finally, in October 1460 it was agreed that after Henry VI's death the succession of the
throne would transfer to Richard and his sons. This effectively disinherited Henry's young son Edward.
Richard of York didn't present his claim to the throne until after many years of misrule by Henry VI and his
favorites; and the apparent rejection by them of reform?
D.) Who were the Plantagenets?
The Plantagenet period was dominated by three major conflicts at home and abroad.
Edward I attempted to create a British empire dominated by England, conquering Wales and
pronouncing his eldest son Prince of Wales, and then attacking Scotland. Scotland was to remain elusive
and retain its independence until late in the reign of the Stuart kings.
In the reign of Edward III the Hundred Years War began, a struggle between England and France. At the
end of the Plantagenet period, the reign of Richard II saw the beginning of the long period of civil feuding
known as the War of the Roses. For the next century, the crown would be disputed by two conflicting
family strands, the Lancastrians and the Yorkists.
The period also saw the development of new social institutions and a distinctive English culture.
Parliament emerged and grew, while the judicial reforms begun in the reign of Henry II were continued and
completed by Edward I.
Culture began to flourish. Three Plantagenet kings were patrons of Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of
English poetry. During the early part of the period, the architectural style of the Normans gave way to the
Gothic, with surviving examples including Salisbury Cathedral. Westminster Abbey was rebuilt and the
majority of English cathedrals remodelled. Franciscan and Dominican orders began to be established in
England, while the universities of Oxford and Cambridge had their origins in this period.
Amidst the order of learning and art, however, were disturbing new phenomena. The outbreak of
Bubonic plague or the 'Black Death' served to undermine military campaigns and cause huge social
turbulence, killing half the country's population.
The price rises and labor shortage which resulted led to social unrest, culminating in the Peasants' Revolt
in 1381.
E.) Who were the Tudors?
The five sovereigns of the Tudor dynasty are among the most well-known figures in Royal history. Of
Welsh origin, Henry VII succeeded in ending the Wars of the Roses between the houses of Lancaster and
York to found the highly successful Tudor house. Henry VII, his son Henry VIII and his three children
Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I ruled for 118 eventful years.
During this period, England developed into one of the leading European colonial powers, with men such
as Sir Walter Raleigh taking part in the conquest of the New World. Nearer to home, campaigns in Ireland
brought the country under strict English control.
Culturally and socially, the Tudor period saw many changes. The Tudor court played a prominent part in
the cultural Renaissance taking place in Europe, nurturing all-round individuals such as William
Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser and Cardinal Wolsey.
The Tudor period also saw the turbulence of two changes of official religion, resulting in the martyrdom
of many innocent believers of both Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. The fear of Roman Catholicism
induced by the Reformation was to last for several centuries and to play an influential role in the history of
the Succession.
1.) Who was Richard III?
Richard Plantagenet, known as Richard of Gloucester and subsequently Richard III, was born at
Fotheringhay Castle on 2nd October, 1452. He was the youngest son and the eleventh of twelve children
born to Richard, Duke of York and Cecily Neville.
Richard's mother, Cecily Neville, also known as the "Rose of Raby" because of her beauty, was the
youngest of twenty two children born to Ralph Neville, earl of Westmoreland. Cecilly and her future
husband, Richard, duke of York, grew up in her father's household when Richard's wardship was bestowed
upon the earl after the execution of Richard's father, the earl of Cambridge.
Richard appears to have resembled his father, being of medium height with dark hair while his taller and
fairer brothers, Edward and George, resembled the Nevilles.
No authentic record exists regarding the birth of Richard III other than the date and place where it
occurred. No reference was ever made to him being in any way deformed during his lifetime and little is
known of his early childhood except that at the age of seven, Richard, his mother, brother George and sister
Margaret were captured at Ludlow by the Lancastrians.
2.) Was Richard III a good king?
With the untimely death of his brother, Edward IV in 1483, he was petitioned by the Lords and Commons
of Parliament to accept the kingship of England. On July 6 1483, Richard III was crowned. His first and
only Parliament was held during January and February of 1484. He passed the most enlightened laws on
record for the Fifteenth Century. He set up a council of advisors that diplomatically included Lancastrian
supporters, administered justice for the poor as well as the rich, established a series of posting stations for
royal messengers between the North and London. He fostered the importation of books, commanded laws
be written in English instead of Latin so the common people could understand their own laws. He outlawed
benevolences, started the system of bail and stopped the intimidation of juries.
During his royal progress of 1483, Richard refused great gifts of cash from various cities saying he would
rather have their goodwill than their money. Bishop Thomas Langton said: "He contents the people where
he goes best that ever did prince, for many a poor man hath suffered wrong many days, hath been relieved
and helped by him, and his commands on his progress. And in many great cities and towns were great sums
of money given to him, which he hath refused. On my troth, I never liked the conditions of any prince so
well as his. God hath sent him to us for the weal of us all."
3.) What were Richard III's major accomplishments during his life?
During his Parliament, he issued statutes, but he also founded the College of Arms that still exists
today. He re-established the Council of the North in 1484 at Sheriff Hutton. He donated money for the
completion of St. George's Chapel at Windsor and King's College in Cambridge. He modernized Barnard
Castle, built the great hall at Middleham and the great hall at Sudeley Castle. He undertook extensive work
at Windsor Castle and ordered the renovation of apartments at one of the towers at Nottingham Castle.
4.) Did Richard III have a hunchback/withered arm?
Shakespeare portrays Richard as a hunchback with a withered arm. However, Richard III fought in the
Battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury. He led the Scottish campaign during the years of 1480-1482 and was
defeated in the Battle of Bosworth. He was known as an accomplished soldier who fought on horseback
using weapons and heavy armor of the period. It would be highly unlikely to fight with a physical handicap.
5.) Did Richard III kill Edward of Lancaster?
It was not until long after the Battle of Tewkesbury that the blame for Edward of Lancaster’s death was
laid at Richard III’s door. There was never any such accusation in contemporary accounts. A Yorkist
chronicler wrote, “The prince was taken fleeing the townwards, and slain in the field.” The Lancastrian
chronicler, Warkworth also stated, “and there was slain in the field Prince Edward, which cried for succour
to his brother-in-law the Duke of Clarence.”
According to Paul Murray Kendall in his book, Richard The Third “no less than seven contemporary
sources offer unanimous testimony that Prince Edward ‘was slain on the field,’ i.e., in the pursuit.” In
addition to the Yorkist chronicler and Warkworth, as stated above, Kendall notes that the writer of the
Croyland Chronicles words his account vaguely but nonetheless agrees with the Yorkist version in the
Arrivall. Kendall’s fourth source is the Duke of Clarence, writing two days after the battle that “Edward,
late called Prince,” and “other estates, knights, squires, and gentlemen were slain in plain battle”. Philip de
Commines, the fifth source, simply states that Edward of Lancaster was “killed on the field”. For a sixth
source, Kendall refers to a paper written after the battle in which “Edward, that was called Prynce” heads a
listing of “Ded in the Feld”, along with a number of other lords. Lastly, Kendall’s seventh source is from
The Tewkesbury Chronicle, written in a hostile tone towards Edward IV but stating that “Prince Edward
was slain in the field”.
The myth of Richard being responsible for Edward of Lancaster’s death was in all likelihood begun by
Fabyan, a staunch Lancastrian, who wrote his London Chronicle during the reign of Henry VII. Despite
having been in London during Richard’s reign, where he would have had access to the truth, Fabyan chose
to embellish the story by claiming that Edward of Lancaster had been brought back to the tent of Edward IV
and “by the king’s servants incontinently slain.”
6.) Did Richard III kill Henry VI?
Shakespeare would have us believe that Richard III was also single-handedly responsible for the death of
Henry VI. In the play, the death of this feeble monarch at the hand of Richard III, was just another
indication of the playwright showing Richard’s ruthlessness in removing any roadblocks on his way to
gaining the throne. The historical facts indicate otherwise.
On Tuesday, May 21 1471, after winning the Battle of Tewkesbury, Edward IV triumphantly entered his
capital city of London. Later that evening he conferred with his advisers and then sent his brother Richard,
along with a number of other noblemen, to the Tower with orders to be given to Lord Dudley, Constable of
the Tower. These orders were to end the life of Henry VI and thus unequivocally put an end to the civil
strife that had rocked England for so long.
7.) Did Richard III plot for twenty years to get the throne of England?
Richard III spent most of his in the service of his brother, Edward IV and his country. After his marriage
to Anne, Neville, Richard spent the next twelve years in northern England bringing peace and order to an
otherwise troublesome area of England. Through his hard work and diligence, he attracted the loyalty and
trust of the northern gentry. His ability for fairness and justice became his byword. He had a good working
reputation of the law, was an able administrator and was militarily formidable. He encouraged trade in
Middleham and secured a license from Edward IV so the village could hold two fairs a year. One of his
greatest achievements was the Scottish Border campaigns during the years of 1481-82. Under his
leadership, on behalf of Edward IV, he won a brilliant campaign against the Scots that is diminished by our
lack of understanding of the regions of his times.
Richard III enjoyed a special relationship with the City of York. His affiliation with the City of York and
their affection for Richard is evident in their archives. When in York, he often stayed at the Augustinian
Friars in Lendal. In 1477, Richard and Anne became members of the Corpus Christi Guild. Richard III,
known to be a pious man, was instrumental in setting up no less than ten chantries and procured two
licenses to establish two colleges, one at Barnard Castle in County Durham and the other at Middleham. It is
known that his favorite residence was Middleham Castle and he was especially generous to the church
raising it to the status of collegiate college. The statutes, written in English rather than Latin, were drawn up
under his supervision.
In 1478, Richard's brother, George of Clarence, continued to dabble in treason. George's wife Isabel had
died in childbirth causing George to overstep his bounds for the last time. He accused one of Isabel's
servants of poisoning her and the baby. He took it upon himself to put her on trial and execute her on a
malicious charge, thus subverting the king's justice. George was imprisoned by Edward IV under a sentence
of death. Richard hurried south to try to prevent the sentence from being carried out. Hostile chroniclers
remarked on how strongly Richard pleaded with Edward for his brother's life. George of Clarence, was
privately executed in a butt of Malmsey in the Tower of London in 1478. After that, Richard went back to
Middleham and rarely came to court.
In April of 1483, Edward IV died suddenly. Richard was appointed "Protector" in Edward's will since
Edward's oldest son was too young to govern on his own. The Woodvilles fearing their power was at an end
ignored the will and tried to take control of the young king. If they could crown young Edward before
Richard came to London, his protectorship would lapse and the Woodvilles would govern the country.
Richard was notified of his brother's death by William Hastings, Edward IV's Lord Chamberlain and
friend. Hastings warned Richard of the conspiracy against him and advised him to "get you to London and
secure the person of your nephew". Taking 100 men with him, Richard stopped at York where a requiem
mass was said for the soul of his brother; he also led his men in an oath of fealty to his nephew and king.
The Woodvilles had raised Edward exclusively and attempted to rule through him once he was crowned.
Richard, aided by his cousin, Henry Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham, caught up with the young king's
escort at Stony Stratford. Richard arrested the Woodville conspirators, confiscated barrels of arms and
armor and brought Edward V to London for his coronation. Elizabeth Woodville, hearing of the news, fled
into sanctuary with her other children. While in London, Richard discovered another plot against his life,
this time led by William Hastings.
While Richard was preparing for his nephew's coronation, Robert Stillington, who had been the
Chancellor of England twice under Edward IV, informed Richard that Edward V could not be legally
crowned king. Stillington revealed that Edward had been betrothed to another woman when he married
Elizabeth Woodville, making all of the royal children illegitimate. Medieval church law held a
consummated betrothal to be as legally binding as a marriage, and illegitimate children were not allowed to
inherit.
With the untimely death of his brother, Edward IV in 1483, he was petitioned by the Lords and Commons
of Parliament to accept the kingship of England. On July 6 1483, Richard III was crowned. In his first and
only Parliament in January/February of 1484, he passed laws for all ranks of people. His government was
popular, and was acknowledged as being for the benefit of the masses of his subjects. He suffered personal
losses during his brief reign laying down a program of legal enactments, an orderly society and promoted
the welfare of his subjects.
8.) Did Richard III murder his nephews, who really killed the princes and what about the bones
in Westminster?
The fate of the princes has been debated and is considered one of the famous mysteries of English
history.
There is no proof that Richard III murdered his nephews, and based on evidence, there is none. The
murder of the princes is based on heresay and a contradiction of unreliable and inaccuracy of the sources.
Shakespeare’s Interpretation
In the play, Richard tests the loyalty of the Duke of Buckingham, his right hand man, by inciting him
to arrange for the murder of the princes. When the duke only gives a vague answer, Richard dismisses him
and asks a page to suggest an alternative person who would murder for money. The page suggests Tyrell,
with whom arrangements are made to dispose of the princes. Buckingham returns having reconsidered the
request made to him, but Richard dismisses him and apparently seeing the writing on the wall, Buckingham
flees to his manor at Brecknock. In the next scene Tyrell, describes the murder of the children, for which he
hired the services of Dighton and Forrest to do the actual deed. Tyrell describes to the audience how the
children, lying in each other’s arms with a prayer book lying on their pillows, are smothered. He reports
back to Richard III, who is pleased that the princes are dead and buried.
But, the facts would tell us differently. Richard III - Shakespeare's Victim and the Princes Project
9.) Did Richard III poisen his wife Anne Neville?
Richard III met Anne Neville when he was sent to Middleham Castle, North Yorkshire in 1461 to begin
his tutelage under his cousin, Richard Neville, the "Kingmaker". Richard would have become acquainted
with the Lady Anne Neville, four years his junior. Richard, then Duke of Gloucester would have been in his
cousin's company attending the Festival of the Corpus Christi in York.
Anne's father, Richard Neville, the "Kingmaker" had been conducting negotiations for Edward IV to marry
a French princess. In September of 1464, at a meeting of the council, Warwick pressed Edward IV to accept
the negotiations for a marital alliance. Edward announced he had secretly married a Lancastrian widow
named Elizabeth Woodville. The announcement marked the end of Richard’s tutelage at Middleham, and
by spring of 1465, Richard left Middleham for his brother’s court.
Anne married Edward of Lancaster on December 13 after learning her father entered in an agreement to
marry her to him in exchange for his promise to re-conquer England for Henry VI. After the Battles of
Barnet and Tewkesbury, she was no longer important to the Lancastrian cause.
She was placed in the household of her sister, Isabel. Richard sought her at the residence of his brother,
George of Clarence in London. Richard was informed she was not in his household. After searching for
her, Richard found her disguised as a cook-maid and he then took her to sanctuary at St. Martin le Grand.
An agreement was made between George of Clarence and Richard of Gloucester. Richard surrendered his
office of Great Chamberlain of England and the earldoms of Warwick and Salisbury.
They were married in 1472 and returned to Middleham. The couple had common interests evidenced when
they both became members of the Corpus Christi Guild in 1477. They had a son, Edward, born in 1473 at
Middleham Castle. Despite having two illegitimate children, both born before his marriage, there seems to
have been no further gossip about Richard’s family life, from which we may infer that his marriage to Anne
was a happy one.
In 1484, the year after their coronation, Richard and Anne were dealt a devastating blow when young
Edward died suddenly. Both parents were deeply affected by the death of their only child. According to the
Croyland Chronicler, “…you might have seen his father and mother almost bordering on madness, by
reason of their sudden grief.” The loss of her son was one which Anne never recovered.
Her health began to deteriorate, a victim of consumption. Because of Anne’s highly contagious illness,
Richard had been counseled to avoid sleeping in her bed. That, coupled with the fact that his niece had been
highly present during the previous Christmas festivities, gave rise to the story that Richard planned to marry
his niece. However, it is interesting to note that supporters of Henry Tudor, who had himself promised to
marry Elizabeth of York, probably started these rumors. It would not have made sense for Richard to marry
his niece, since he had made his claim to the throne based on the theory that all of Edward IV’s children
were bastards. To do so he would have had to reverse Titulus Regius, thus making all the children
legitimate.
While Shakespeare uses Anne’s death as yet another sign of Richard’s depravity, there is nothing to prove
that she died of anything but natural causes. Paul Murray Kendall cites that their marriage was happy, that
Richard gave Anne his heart as well as his name. Even Tudor historians who have looked to elaborate to
discredit Richard III's reputation can cast no slur on his fidelity to his wife. Mancini gives testimony that the
purity of his private life to his consort was well known to the public.
1.) Why is there still an interest in Richard III?
The life and times of King Richard III has captured the attention of people from all walks of life. Perhaps
it is simply the fact that Richard III has been given a false and unfair reputation. He held a direct line to the
throne, and by disproving false slanders, it is clear he was a good good.
The record of the contemporary sources show a different man and king than the one portrayed by
Shakespeare and the Tudor Chronicles. Richard III appealed to the ideals of loyalty, lordship and honor.
He knew how to command, how to reward, but most of all, he knew how to inspire.
Sir Clements Markham stated: "The true picture of our last Plantagenet king is not unpleasant to look
upon, when the accumulated garbage and filth of centuries of calumny have been cleared off the surface".
Or is it simply, that after 500 years, the truth of a man's reputation matters.
2.)
Why is there a Richard III Foundation?
The Richard III Foundation, Inc. was established in 2003 as a non-profit educational organization to
present a full picture of Richard III, his contemporaries and era. Through research and scholarship, it is shown
the Yorkist period was one of progress and enlightened government.
The Foundation is active in many diverse areas. Our categories encompass the fields of research, scholarship,
publishing, exhibitions, public relations, study days, symposiums and other activities to attempt to bridge the gap
between the Fifteenth Century and today.
Our membership benefits include our scholarly periodical published three times a year containing academic
articles, book reviews on new publications, upcoming study days and conferences, and announcements of new
research taking place in the medieval period.
Our membership enjoys our lending library of four areas: fiction, non-fiction, audio and visual.
The Richard III Collegiate Scholarship for Medieval Studies was established to foster the medieval
period during the years of 1350 to 1500. Our scholarship committee includes Ralph Griffiths, Ann Kettle,
Chris Given-Wilson, Sean Cunningham, Cath Nall, Arlene Oberlund, David Santiuste and David Baldwin,
all leading historians in this field. An application form and requirements can be obtained by contacting us at
our corporate office or via email at Middleham@aol.com.
Our research department is established in the US and UK with a committee comprised of Richard P.
McArthur, Rollo Crookshank, Sean Cunningham and David Santiuste. We have implemented a Research
Guide that can be used by the amateur and well-seasoned researcher, and a school kit for students. Our
colorful library exhibition materials bring the medieval period to life in a unique way, and our Speaker's
Corner publication provides materials for people who do public speaking on the medieval period.
The Foundation has mounted exhibitions that have been showcased at the Bosworth Battlefield Centre, the
Middleham Key Partnership and the Richard III Museum in York. A division of the Foundation, the "Middleham
Restoration Endowment" raises funds for the fabric of Middleham Castle and has donated funds for the repair and
restoration of the southern wall, lintels of the northern wall and other projects in the castle.
In 1997, the Foundation donated a banner to the castle and chalice to the church that is used on special Ricardian
days.
Our conferences and studys feature the top academic speakers on a national and local area. Our conference
program began in 2002 at Ripon to commemorate the 550th birthday of King Richard III. In 2004, we held a study
day on Medieval Coventry and two symposiums: The Battle of Bosworth: Enigma of a Battle and Richard III:
Politics, Patronage and Personage. In 2005, a study day on Perkin Warbeck and Francis Lovel: Family, Friends
and Foes was scheduled. For 2006, we will be hosting three conferences, and will be in attendance at various events
pertaining to the Wars of the Roses. We are equally proud of our affiliation with the Bosworth Battlefield Centre and
will be the first organization to host a conference at their new facility in 2006.
Exploring the Ricardian sites today is a popular question for those visiting England for the first time, or
even for the visitors doing a Ricardian tour of England. We have established a publication entitled
"Richard's Realm" that provides a historical background of all the locations in England that were connected
to Richard III and his contemporaries. Our publication includes all the details you need to know. For more
information on our publication, please contact us at Middleham@aol.com.
Here are our recommendation on sites in Ricardian's Realm.
Discussion Questions
Questions from Publisher's Guide:
Act I
1. What does Richard reveal about his character and motives in his opening speech?
2. What does Richard think of his brothers, King Edward and Clarence? What picture does Richard paint of
Edward's character?
3. Why does Richard insinuate to Clarence that he shouldn't blame Edward for his imprisonment but the
King's wife, Elizabeth?
4. Why is Hastings willing to ally with Richard?
5. Explain Anne's change of heart toward Richard. What does this scene between Anne and Richard show
about Richard's personality?
6. What do you learn about the political situation in Edward's court?
What opportunities does this situation present to Richard? What could be Shakespeare's purpose in painting
this picture of Edward's reign?
7. What strategies does Richard use to set his plots in motion? Why are they so effective?
8. Why does Shakespeare bring Queen Margaret into Edward's court?
What do the reactions of Richard, Queen Elizabeth, Hastings, Buckingham, Rivers, and Dorset reveal about
their characters?
9. Why is Clarence having nightmares? What are his fears?
10. What is the purpose of the lengthy conversation, first between the two murderers and then the murderers
and Clarence? How do you feel when you are reading or viewing this scene?
Act II
1. How does Richard use his information about Clarence's death to further his plots?
2. Explain Edward's reaction to the news of Clarence's death. What sense of justice does Edward suspect is
in control of the lives of all his family and allies?
3. What could be Buckingham's motive in suggesting that the young prince be brought to London with
"some little train"?
4. What is the role of the women and children in this act?
5. Why does Shakespeare include a scene where the citizens discuss the political situation?
Act III
1. Compare Hastings' speech in III, iv, 48-53 with his speech in III, iv, 95-100. What has Hastings realized
by the end of the scene?
2. List the people who die by Richard's orders in Act III. What does each of them realize as they die? What
does this suggest about the idea of justice presented in the play?
3. How does Buckingham's speech in III, vii, 24-41 support the Scrivener's speech at the beginning of the
scene? What other characters in this scene act in ways that bear out the Scrivener's speech?
4. How does Buckingham in III, vii live up to the boast he makes in III, v, 5-12?
Act IV
1. What does Anne realize about her relationship with Richard?
2. Why is Richard still not satisfied even when he is crowned king?
3. Why is Buckingham reluctant to do Richard's bidding when it comes to killing the young prince when he
has been willing to go along with all the other plots?
4. Do you agree or disagree with Margaret's idea of retributive justice and why?
Must death be answered by death or is there another way justice can come about?
5. Do you think Richard's arguments to get Elizabeth to woo her daughter in his name work? Why or why
not?
Act V
1. What differences do you see between the camps of Richard and Richmond? What do they suggest about
the right order of leadership?
2. What is the impact of the visits of the ghosts to Richard and Richmond?
3. Compare the speeches of Richmond and Richard to their troops before the battle. What do their choices
of words and arguments suggest about the personalities of the two men?
4. What is Richard's reaction when the fighting seems to be going against him? What does his reaction show
about his character? Has Richard changed in the course of the action in his motivation or dedication?
5. In the end is Richard totally evil or does his portrayal suggest any admirable traits? Defend your point of
view.
The following quotations may lead to rich responses:
Act I
1. "And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days." (I, i, 28-31)
2. "Why, this it is when men are ruled by women." (I, i, 62)
3. "And I no friends to back my suit at all
But the plain devil and dissembling looks,
And yet to win her, all the world to nothing" (I, ii, 235-237)
4. "But then I sigh, and with a piece of Scripture
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil;
And thus I clothe my naked villainy
With odd old ends stol'n forth of holy writ,
And seem a saint when most I play the devil. (I, iii, 333-337)
5. "Methought that Gloucester stumbled, and in the falling
Struck me (that thought to stay him) overboard
Into the tumbling billows of the main." (I, iv, 18-20)
Act II
1. "Yet none of you would once beg for his life.
O god, I fear thy justice will take hold
On me and you, and mine and yours, for this!" (II, i, 132-134)
2. "This is the fruits of rashness. Marked you not
How that the guilty kindred of the Queen
Looked pale when they hear of Clarence' death? (II, i, 136-138)
3. "Ah, that deceit should steal such gentle shape
And with a virtuous visor hide deep vice! (II, ii, 27-28)
4. "Better it were they [uncles] all came by his father,
Or by his father there were none at all;
For emulation who shall now be nearest
Will touch us all too near, if God prevent not." (II, iii, 23-26)
5. "The tiger now hath seized the gentle hind;
Insulting tyranny begins to jut
Upon the innocent and aweless throne.
Welcome destruction, blood, and massacre!
I see, as in a map, the end of all." (II, iv, 50-54)
Act III
1. "Sweet Prince, the untainted virtue of your years
Hath not yet dived into the world's deceit;
Nor more can you distinguish of a man
Than of his outward show, which, God he knows,
Seldom or never jumpeth with the heart." (III, i, 7-11)
2. "Now Margaret's curse is fall'n upon our heads,
When she exclaimed on Hastings, you, and I,
For standing by when Richard stabbed her son"
(spoken by Grey to Rivers, III, iii, 17-19)
3. "I think there's never a man in Christendom
Can lesser hide his love or hate than he,
For by his face straight shall you know his heart. (Spoken
by Hastings about Richard, III, iv, 51-53)
4. "Who builds his hope in air of your good looks
Lives like a drunken sailor on a mast,
Ready with every nod to tumble down
Into the fatal bowels of the deep. (III, iv, 97-100)
5. "Here's a good world the while! Who is so gross
That cannot see this palpable device?
Yet who so bold but says he sees it not?
Bad is the world, and all will come to nought
When such ill dealing must be seen in thought. (III, vi, 10-14)
6. "Your brother's son shall never reign our king,
But we will plant some other in the throne
To the disgrace and downfall of your house" (III, vii, 214-217)
Act IV
1. "Lo, ere I can repeat this curse again,
Within so small a time, my woman's heart
Grossly grew captive to his honey words
And proved the subject of mine own soul's curse" (IV, i, 77-80)
2. "But I am in
So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin." (IV, ii. 62-63)
3. "Oh thou well skilled in curses, stay awhile
And teach me how to curse mine enemies!" (IV, iv, 116-117)
4. "Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end" (IV, iv, 195)
Act V
1. "That high All-seer which I dallied with
Hath turned my feigned prayer on my head
And given in earnest what I begged in jest." (V, i, 20-22)
2. "He hath no friends but what are friends for fear,
Which in his dearest need will fly from him" (V, ii, 20-21)
3. "There is no creature loves me;
And if I die, no soul will pity me. Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself
Find in myself no pity to myself?" (V, iii, 201-204)
4. "Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls;
Conscience is but a word that cowards use,
Devised at first to keep the strong in awe" (V, iii, 309-311)
5. "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" (V, iv, 13)