First published: 1543

Type of work: History

Time of work: 1483

Locale: England

Principal Personages:

Richard Plantagenet, Protector and then King of England, Richard III

Elizabeth, wife of deceased King Edward IV

Duke of Buckingham, the ally of Richard

A Momentous Work Paused

In the early 16th century, Sir Thomas More began the ambitious task of chronicling the life of King Richard III, only to halt the project around 1518, when he was poised to become an influential figure in King Henry VIII's court. This shift marked the start of his political journey that would ultimately lead to his execution in 1535. More's work, "HISTORY OF KING RICHARD III," bears the unmistakable imprint of his humanist scholarship, diverging from his later political and religious identity.

Though More wrote the text in both English and Latin, he left it unfinished after the Duke of Buckingham's speech, following Richard's coronation. Later, Richard Grafton completed the English version, which found a place in the Hardyng and Halle chronicles, before being individually published in 1557 by More's nephew, William Rastell. Initially, More intended to extend the account to cover the era up to Henry VII's death but ultimately set the work aside.

Underpinning Motivations

The decision to abandon the manuscript may have stemmed from its provocative content. More's narrative serves as a treatise against tyranny and Machiavellian politics, challenging the idea of absolute power, regardless of the ruler's identity. Although some view More as a Tudor apologist, his stance is clear: he opposes tyranny in all its forms, whether embodied by Richard III or Henry VII.

Perhaps mindful of his position and safety, More restricts his moral critique to Richard, avoiding potential conflict with Henry VII's reign. This approach resonates with the More known for "UTOPIA," rather than the courtier bowing to Tudor authority.

Legacy and Influence

More's "HISTORY OF KING RICHARD III" stands out as a significant educational tool for princes and a model for future historians. It would take over a century before another historical work, like Sir Francis Bacon's "HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF KING HENRY VII," matched it in quality. However, More's historical approach isn't without flaws. His reliance on secondhand accounts and polemical intent sometimes skews factual accuracy, yet many of his insights hold more truth than critics such as Horace Walpole have acknowledged.

Despite its limitations, the narrative captivates with its vivid character portrayals, bringing historical figures to life. More's use of speeches and dialogue, which compose over a third of the work, heightens its dramatic flair.

Vivid Characters

The characters in More's history are strikingly vibrant. Edward IV is depicted as both a model sovereign and a king indulgent in youthful excesses, which More forgives as they did not impede his governance. Jane Shore is sympathetically portrayed, her illustrious past starkly contrasting with her bleak old age.

Henry, Duke of Buckingham, emerges as a naive conspirator, his lack of guile juxtaposed with the irony More perceives in the era's events. This irony enriches More's narrative, offering depth to his character studies.

Queen Elizabeth and King Richard

The most detailed characterizations belong to Queen Elizabeth and King Richard. Elizabeth, widow of Edward IV, is depicted with empathy, notably in the poignant Westminster sanctuary scene. Here, her tragic foresight contrasts with her need to feign trust in Richard to protect her younger son. The dialogue between Elizabeth and those who seek her son is so intense that it could easily translate to a stage play. The ultimate separation of mother and son is deeply dramatic, rivaling any scene from English theatre predating Shakespeare.

Richard's portrayal is...