Richard III

Richard III from Jacob Abbott's "Makers of History" series details the dark, turbulent, and controversial life of King Richard III of England. First published in 1858, the biography focuses on the brutal climax of the Wars of the Roses (the civil wars between the House of York and the House of Lancaster). Abbott provides a balanced, psychological examination of Richard, moving away from pure Shakespearean caricature to look at how a young prince was systematically corrupted by a lifelong environment of violence, political survival, and unchecked ambition. The book follows Richard's journey from a loyal brother and fierce warrior to England's most infamous usurper: The House of York: The book opens with the background of Richard's mother, Lady Cecily Neville, and the fierce royal rivalry that forced Richard to grow up surrounded by warfare and exile. The Reign of Edward IV: Abbott details Richard's youth as a fiercely loyal, highly capable military commander supporting his older brother, King Edward IV, on the battlefield. The Princes in the Tower: The structural core of the book covers the sudden death of Edward IV. Richard is named Lord Protector of his 12-year-old nephew, Edward V, but swiftly declares the boy and his brother illegitimate, locking them in the Tower of London where they mysteriously disappear. The Usurpation and Cruel Reign: Abbott chronicles Richard's short, paranoid reign as King Richard III, highlighting how his actions turned his closest allies—including the Duke of Buckingham—against him. The Battle of Bosworth Field: The biography culminates in the historic 1485 battle where Richard faces Henry Tudor. Abbott describes Richard fighting with desperate bravery on the field before being slain, ending the Plantagenet dynasty.