Historian Nathen Amin sat down with me at Warwick Words History Festival before his talk on "The year of the 3 kings, 1483" to discuss Edward IV's lack of forward planning, the course of events which brought Edward V to London and into the Tower, and when Nathen thinks Richard, then Duke of Gloucester, decided he should not just act as Regent for his nephew, but take his crown and become king.
Useful timestamps in this episode:
00:00 - The significance of 1483: Year of the Three Kings
00:14 - Edward IV's reign and sudden death at 40
00:57 - Edward IV’s physical transformation and health neglect
01:24 - Succession challenges with young princes
02:23 - Rival factions: Woodvilles vs. Richard of Gloucester
03:17 - Could Edward IV have prepared better for his death?
03:54 - The importance of securing the heir in medieval rulership
04:23 - Fears of vulnerability when the king is a child
05:24 - The influence of male ambitions after Edward IV’s death
06:11 - The movement of Edward V and the importance of his return to London
06:40 - The importance of the princes’ crowning and the rise of Richard
07:10 - The political tension with Lord Hastings and the Woodville family
07:40 - Richard’s diplomatic position and the meeting in Northamptonshire
08:08 - Elizabeth Woodville’s reaction and her flight into sanctuary
09:06 - The decision to move the princes to the Tower
09:34 - The arrest of Lord Hastings and the centralization of Richard’s power
10:32 - Richard’s assumption of Lord Protector and consolidating authority
11:01 - Elizabeth Woodville’s flight and the rising tensions
11:31 - The move of the princes into the Tower of London
12:28 - The infamous execution of Lord Hastings and Richard’s ruthlessness
13:28 - Richard’s strategic moves and the escalation of violence
14:27 - Threats to Richard’s power in the North and the Neville lands
15:27 - Richard’s swift consolidation of power and the downfall of rivals
16:26 - The anonymous sermon condemning the princes and Richard’s rapid rise
17:25 - Richard’s strategic decisions and the perception of his ruthlessness
18:10 - The debate over the legitimacy of the princes
18:49 - Richard’s potential motives about the princes’ legitimacy and accusations
19:19 - The evidence (or lack thereof) around the princes’ deaths and legitimacy
20:16 - The political context of Richard’s usurpation
21:12 - The legitimacy of Richard’s claim and the legitimacy law
21:42 - Richard’s legal justifications, including Titulus Regius
22:08 - The question of the princes’ legitimacy and Richard’s evidence
22:39 - The political manipulation and timing of Richard’s actions
23:08 - Richard’s rapid moves and the urgency of power consolidation
24:21 - The moral and religious conflict faced by Richard
24:48 - Richard’s faith and the justification of ruthless acts
25:17 - The medieval kingship and divine justification for harsh decisions
25:46 - Parallels with modern leadership and the justifications for tough choices
26:09 - Closing remarks and thanks
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About Philippa
Philippa is a Historian and the founder of British History Tours and British History Events.
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