1. History VS Shakespeare

2. Introduction Richard III has been immortalised by Shakespeare’s play, which depicts him as an evil, ambitious character. Richard III has been immortalised by Shakespeare’s play, which depicts him as an evil, ambitious character. However, the REAL Richard only partially resembles the scheming lump of deformity portrayed by Shakespeare. However, the REAL Richard only partially resembles the scheming lump of deformity portrayed by Shakespeare.

3. Supposed Crimes In ‘Richard III’ one of Richard’s earliest crimes was his murder of Edward of Lancaster and his father, King Henry at the battle of Tewkesbury. In ‘Richard III’ one of Richard’s earliest crimes was his murder of Edward of Lancaster and his father, King Henry at the battle of Tewkesbury. “…for I did kill King Henry...” “…t’was I that stabb’d young Edward…” (Act 1 Sc 2)

4. Actual Crimes Though Richard did have a leading part in the battle of Tewkesbury, there is no reference to Richard as the murderer of Edward. Instead, it is widely believed that he died in battle. Though Richard did have a leading part in the battle of Tewkesbury, there is no reference to Richard as the murderer of Edward. Instead, it is widely believed that he died in battle. King Henry was captured in the battle at Tewkesbury and kept prisoner in the Tower of London, where he was executed, by order of King Edward of York. King Henry was captured in the battle at Tewkesbury and kept prisoner in the Tower of London, where he was executed, by order of King Edward of York.

5. Supposed Crimes In the play, one of Richard’s earliest crimes was to kill his brother Clarence by sending two assassins to drown him in a barrel of wine. In the play, one of Richard’s earliest crimes was to kill his brother Clarence by sending two assassins to drown him in a barrel of wine. “…Clarence hath not another day to live…” “…Clarence hath not another day to live…” Act 1 Scene 2 Act 1 Scene 2

6. Actual Crimes There is no contemporary evidence to suggest that Richard was actively involved in Clarence’s death. There is no contemporary evidence to suggest that Richard was actively involved in Clarence’s death. Historians write that Clarence had been in a dispute with Edward IV for some time and this led to Clarence’s execution for treason. Historians write that Clarence had been in a dispute with Edward IV for some time and this led to Clarence’s execution for treason.

7. Supposed Crime Shakespeare’s Richard woos the recently widowed Anne Neville over the corpse of her dead father in law, Richard being responsible for both crimes – Anne’s widowhood and Henry’s death. Shakespeare’s Richard woos the recently widowed Anne Neville over the corpse of her dead father in law, Richard being responsible for both crimes – Anne’s widowhood and Henry’s death. Richard wins Anne over marries her. The marriage does not last and Richard has her poisoned. Richard wins Anne over marries her. The marriage does not last and Richard has her poisoned. “…I’ll have her but I will not keep her long…” (Act 1 Sc 2) “…I’ll have her but I will not keep her long…” (Act 1 Sc 2) He then proceeds to bolster his claim to the throne by attempting to marry his niece, Elizabeth of York. He then proceeds to bolster his claim to the throne by attempting to marry his niece, Elizabeth of York.

8. Actual Crime In fact, Richard and Anne married and even had a child. There was no evidence to suggest that they were not happy together. When their only child died, both parents were grief stricken and said to be bordering on madness. In fact, Richard and Anne married and even had a child. There was no evidence to suggest that they were not happy together. When their only child died, both parents were grief stricken and said to be bordering on madness. It is believed that this loss was a contributing factor to her natural death. It is believed that this loss was a contributing factor to her natural death.

9. Supposed Crimes Richard imprisoned the two young princes in the Tower of London and had them executed. Richard imprisoned the two young princes in the Tower of London and had them executed. He did this to legitimise his claim to the throne. He did this to legitimise his claim to the throne.

10. Actual Crimes It was never proven that Richard had killed the two princes. It was never proven that Richard had killed the two princes. Two bodies were found later, near the tower but they were never successfully linked to Richard. Two bodies were found later, near the tower but they were never successfully linked to Richard.

11. Similarities Richard III did become the Duke of Gloucester in 1461. Richard III did become the Duke of Gloucester in 1461. He did have a leading part in the battle at Tewkesbury. He did have a leading part in the battle at Tewkesbury. In 1471, Richard III married Anne Neville In 1471, Richard III married Anne Neville Richard III did bastardise Edward’s children in 1483. Richard III did bastardise Edward’s children in 1483. Richard was crowned King in 1485 (though he would only be King for a month.) Richard was crowned King in 1485 (though he would only be King for a month.)