Richard III Takes The Throne: When The Job Description Changed Mid-Process

How Protecting The Heir Turned Into Replacing Him

Richard III Takes The Throne: When The Job Description Changed Mid-Process

How Protecting The Heir Turned Into Replacing Him

• Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was appointed to protect young Edward V. He then decided the safest arrangement was to become king himself.
• The princes were placed in the Tower of London for their own security. History has learned to be cautious whenever that explanation appears.
• Richard declared the princes illegitimate, solving the succession issue efficiently. Redefining the rules can simplify difficult situations.
• He was crowned Richard III in 1483, presenting the transition as lawful and necessary. Legitimacy often depends on how events are explained.
• Supporters accepted the change, while others remained uncertain. Agreement is rarely universal in moments like this.
• The fate of the princes became a lasting mystery. Questions tend to persist when answers are unavailable.
• Students learn this as one of the most debated episodes in English history. It shows how events can remain unresolved.
• Richard’s rule began under scrutiny, requiring strong leadership to maintain authority. Starting a new role under pressure is rarely ideal.
• The political environment remained unstable, despite the change. Replacing leadership does not always restore calm.
• By the end, Richard III had secured the crown but not complete confidence. It demonstrated how power can be gained but still questioned.

Why Legitimacy Matters

Richard III’s accession highlights how authority depends not only on control but also on acceptance. Without broad support, even successful power shifts can remain uncertain.

Sources: govna.UK; satire.info; Encyclopaedia Britannica: Richard III; UK Parliament History; History Extra: Princes in the Tower

Alan Nafzger

Alan Nafzger was born in Lubbock, Texas, the son Swiss immigrants. He grew up on a dairy in Windthorst, north central Texas. He earned degrees from Midwestern State University (B.A. 1985) and Texas State University (M.A. 1987). University College Dublin (Ph.D. 1991). Dr. Nafzger has entertained and educated young people in Texas colleges for 37 years. Nafzger is best known for his dark novels and experimental screenwriting. His best know scripts to date are Lenin’s Body, produced in Russia by A-Media and Sea and Sky produced in The Philippines in the Tagalog language. In 1986, Nafzger wrote the iconic feminist western novel, Gina of Quitaque. He currently lives in Holloway, North London. Contact: [email protected]