Page:History of the Kings & Queens of England.pdf/19

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RICHARD III.

Born 1452. Began to Reign June 27, 1483. Died August 22, 1845. Reigned 2 Years.

Was brother of Edward IV., and found his way to the throne through crime. While the usurper endeavoured to secure his power, he received resistance from a person, from whom he least expected it. The Duke of Buckingham, who had been his abettor in his crimes, levied an army in Wales against him. A scarcity of provisions obliged Buckingham to disperse his army; in the meantime he took shelter in the house of one of his servants, who, tempted by the large reward offered for his master, betrayed him to the enemy, who had him tried, and executed. Richard was killed in the battle of Bosworth-field. He had a disagreeable countenance, and was possessed of uncommon decision, acuteness and courage, but the whole course of his life was that of a tyrant.

Eminent men in this reign :--Duke of Buckingham ; Lord Stanley ; Duke of Norfolk : Viscount Lovel; Sir Richard Ratcliffe ; Sir William Catesby..