Profile of the Day: Richard III of England

On this day in 1452, Richard III of England was born. With his death at the age of 32, Richard III became the last king of the Plantagenet dynasty.

Richard was the fourth son born to Richard, Duke of York, and Cecily Neville. After the death of his brother, Edward IV, in 1483, Edward’s twelve-year old son, Edward V, succeeded him and Richard was named Lord Protector of the Realm. However, after Richard succeeded in declaring his brother’s marriage invalid, his nephew was declared illegitimate and his claim to the throne invalid. Richard was crowned king and his nephews, Edward and Richard, were imprisoned in the Tower of London before they disappeared. Rumors circulated that they had been executed by the king.

His time as monarch was short lived. After two years on the throne, he died on August 22, 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. The battle would be the last decisive battle of the War of the Roses.

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