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Richard III: The Maligned King

4.75 of 5 stars 4.75 · rating details · 32 ratings · 6 reviews

In 2012 Annette Carson formed part of the team that discovered King Richard III's mortal remains, verified in 2013 by forensics including DNA matching. In response to the recent upsurge of interest, her 2009 paperback has been updated with details of the discovery plus new illustrations, and a larger typeface for easier readability. Carson's premise is that for centuries t...more

Paperback, 336 pages

Published July 1st 2009 by The History Press (first published July 4th 2008)

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Feb 21, 2013 Audrey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent, well balanced and well researched book on Richard III. The book covers the time from Edward IV death and the actions taken by Richard of Gloucester after his brothers death. this book does much to enlighten us about this seriously maligned King and the pressures he came under after the death of his brother Edward IV. It does not answer the question of who killed the princes in the tower, if indeed they were killed, as unless further evidence came to
light, no one can do this. What this...more

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Jul 07, 2010 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone interested in Richard III

Recommended to Carol by: The Richard III Society Forum

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Annette Carson's first chapter makes a surprisingly compelling case for the poisoning of Edward IV by the Woodville faction, providing convincing evidence that Anthony Woodville was no innocent victim of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, but party to treachery, treason, and possibly murder. After this initial chapter, the book turns to Richard and those around him in 1483-1485. Rather than making assumptions about Richard's character and motives based on hindsight, Carson focuses on chronology (too o...more Annette Carson's first chapter makes a surprisingly compelling case for the poisoning of Edward IV by the Woodville faction, providing convincing evidence that Anthony Woodville was no innocent victim of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, but party to treachery, treason, and possibly murder. After this initial chapter, the book turns to Richard and those around him in 1483-1485. Rather than making assumptions about Richard's character and motives based on hindsight, Carson focuses on chronology (too often obscured or altered by the chroniclers) and on the actions of various people, including Stillington, Hastings, Buckingham, and Morton, as well as Richard himself. She discusses, among other things, Edward IV's marriages to Eleanor Butler and Elizabeth Woodville, the Hastings conspiracy (which she argues was no invention of Richard's), Titulus Regius (including the seldom-discussed charges of witchcraft), and Richard's relationship with his sister, Margaret, dowager duchess of Burgundy. Naturally, she discusses the probable fate of the so-called Princes in the Tower, providing arguments and evidence too readily dismissed by traditional historians that they were not murdered by Richard or anyone else. There's more, of course, but I don't want to spoil the experience. The book is for the most part readable and compelling. The genealogical tables, though it would be better if they were all grouped together and easily accessible, are an important addition. Tables 3 and 4, which deal with various Yorkist and Lancastrian heirs, show just how weak Henry Tudor's claim really was and demonstrate conclusively that Richard's projected marriage to Joana of Portugal would have been a true union of the Houses of York and Lancaster (in contrast to the spurious union of Henry VI's half-Welsh, one-quarter-French, non-Lancastrian half-nephew to Edward IV's technically illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth of York). I don't agree with all the author's conclusions, of course, but the book is enjoyable and often compelling. Those like Michael Hicks who are persuaded of Richard's ruthless ambition ought to read it and seriously consider Carson's arguments, evidence, and conclusions. One tiny quibble: It would be nice if the author used "inter alia" a little less frequently.(less)

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Mar 23, 2011 Caroline rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: english-history, biography, medieval-history

This isn't so much a biography of Richard III as it is an attempt to disprove or refute all of the various slanders and untruths that his reputation has accumulated over the centuries. Carson examines Richard's reign chronologically and, using the sources of the time, attempts to discover what actually happened. She has some interesting theories, such as the argument that perhaps Edward IV was poisoned or that the 'princes in the Tower' were not murdered, by Richard or anyone else, but escaped t...more

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Dec 02, 2009 Joan Szechtman rated it 5 of 5 stars

If I had to summarize this book in one word, it would be provocative. From the opening chapter where Annette Carson analyzes Richard Collins’s theory that Edward IV may have died of poisoning, to the closing chapter depicting Richard’s personal tragedies--son dies suddenly and wife dies after a long illness--and how they affected his security, to his miscalculations of how to manage the powerful lords upon whose support he depended, we not only learn how history has maligned this medieval monarc...more If I had to summarize this book in one word, it would be provocative. From the opening chapter where Annette Carson analyzes Richard Collins’s theory that Edward IV may have died of poisoning, to the closing chapter depicting Richard’s personal tragedies--son dies suddenly and wife dies after a long illness--and how they affected his security, to his miscalculations of how to manage the powerful lords upon whose support he depended, we not only learn how history has maligned this medieval monarch, but also how certain key events have several valid interpretations.

The chapters are arranged chronologically, starting just before Edward IV’s death to Richard’s defeat and death on Bosworth Field--a period extending just under two and a half years--and of the Tudor aftermath where Richard’s good name was maligned. While Carson clearly sides with the “good king Richard” view, she does not ignore detracting theories for each point she examines. Throughout all the tumultuous events of this short historical span, Carson analyzes the primary (where available) and secondary sources--sometimes supporting and sometimes contradicting the conclusions that are drawn. Notably she doesn’t shirk from citing and examining controversial references such as that of Thomas More’s History of King Richard III.

Carson’s work is well balanced, logical, and witty. I believe this text is readily understandable by someone just embarking on learning about this era as well as an important addition to the more knowledgeable reader. The selected bibliography lists over a hundred references that she cites throughout the text. Despite the weight of the research, the book is highly readable and accessible to the non-historian.

The one issue I had with this book has to do with its physical production and not the contents. For this, I lay the responsibility squarely on the publisher--The History Press. I found the tiny font size they chose for this book a real challenge for me to read. I measured it and the regular text is a six-point font size with quoted text even smaller. Admittedly, I am of an age where I need to use reading glasses for normal print size. Here, I often found myself using a magnifying glass in addition to the glasses. I implore The History Press to use at least a ten-point font size if they reprint this book. I’ll purchase another copy if they do.

In the spirit of full disclosure, the author and I traded books when we met for the first and only time last August. Neither of us had any expectations of receiving or giving a review. I am writing this review because I think this book is a valuable addition for anyone interested in Richard III and that period of history.
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Sep 27, 2012 Brian rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is an excellent book which makes good use of chronology to demolish a number of widely-believed myths. When I say 'widely-believed myths' I don't refer to the opinions of credulous medieval peasants living in the backwoods of Bogshire, but to to those held by many current academic historians.

The central problem with any analysis of Richard III's reign is that the principal sources are few and none are entirely satisfactory. The Crowland/Croyland Chronicle for example is not as well-informed...more

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Oct 09, 2011 Lauren Gilbert rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is absorbing. Author Annette Carson writes clearly and vividly, which makes the book a pleasure to read. It is refreshing to read objective discussion and evaluation of documentation, as well as open-minded consideration of alternative possibilities. I highly recommend this book. My only criticism is that the print is pretty small-a good reading light is really necessary.

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