Accomplishments
"He founded a colledge at Midelham beyond Yorke, and another at London beside the Tower, in a chappell called our Ladie of Barking: he also endowed the Queenes Colledge at Cambridge with five hundred marks of yeerelie rent. He deforested the great field of Wichewoode, between Woodstocke and Bristowe, which King Edward the fourth had incorporated before to the forrest, etc.". - John Stow, 1592
"This King Richard was praiseworthy for his building, as at Westminster, Nottingham, Warwick, York, and Middleham, and many other places, which can be viewed. He founded a noble chantry for a hundred priests in the Cathedral of York, and another at Middleham. He founded another in the church of St. Mary of Barking, by the Tower of London, and endowed the Queen's College at Cambridge with 500 marks annual rent. The money which was offered him by the peoples of London, Gloucester, and Worcester he declined with thanks, affirming that he would rather have their love than their treasure". - John Rous, 1486
"And forsomoche as we of our grace especialle have graunted unto oure trusty and welbelovede in god Thabbot & Convent of Coverham xxli of money towardes the belding theire Churche and reperacione of other things necessarie within thaire place...we therefore wolle & charge you to content & pay unto the said Abbot & Convent the said somme..." - Richard III,Gift instruction, 1484
"Forasmoche as we of oure grace especialle have yevene & graunted towardes the building of the Churche of oure blissed lady within oure said lordshippe the summe of xlli. We therefore wolle and charge you that...ye content & pay unto the Wardens of the said Churche the summe of xxli... -Richard III, Gift instructions, 1484
"The king then removed to Oxford, and to Woodstock, where by popular request he disafforested a great area of the country which King Edward IV his brother had annexed and incorporated in the forest of Wychwood under forest law, against conscience and to the public damage". - John Rous, 1483
Appearance
Richard was the handsomest man in the room except his brother Edward, and was well made. - Countess of Desmond describing dancing with Richard, Reported by Horace Walpole, 1768
"He was small of stature, with a short face".- John Rous
"Of bodily shape comely enough, only of low stature".John Stow, Quoting men who knew Richard, 1592
"...though always thin, (his face) was more pale and deathly than ever". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
"...three fingers taller than myself...also much more lean; he had delicate arms and legs, also a great heart..." - Nicholas von Poppelau, Diary,1484
"Now I look for the first time upon your face, it is the contenance worthy of the highest power and kingliness, illuminated by moral and heroic virtue...never before has nature dared to encase in a smaller body such spirit and strength". - Archibald Whitelaw
"...this is that very noble prince, the special patron of knightly prowess, which as well in all princely behavior, as in lineaments and favor of his visage, represents the very face of the noble Duke of York his father..." - Sir Thomas More, Quoting Dr. Shaa
"We wolle & charge you to deliver unto the bringere hereof for us thise parcelles folowing that it to say First one doublet of purpille satyne lyned with holand clothe and entrelyned with Buske, one doublet of Tawney sattyn lyned in likewise, ij short gowns of Cremsyne clothe of gold that one with droppis & that other with nettes lyned with grene velvet, oone gowne of grene velvet lyned with Tawney sattayne, one yerde & iij quartres corse of sike medled with gold & asmoche blak corse of silke for our spurres, ij yerdes & halff & iij naylles of white cloth of gold for a Cryneire for a barde, five yerdes of black velvet for lyning of a gowne of grenesattyne, one plakcard made of part of the said ij yerdes and oon halff and ij nayles of white cloth of gold lyned with bukeram, iij paire of Sporres short alle gilt, ij paire of spurres long white parcelle gilt, ij yerdes of blak bokeram for amending of the lynyng of diverse trappors, oone Banere of Sarcenet of our lady, one banere of the Trinite, one banere of Seinte George, one banere of Seint Edward, one of seint Cuthbert, one of oure awne Armes alle sarcenet, iij Cotes of Armes betyne with fyne gold for oure owne persone, fyve Cote Armors for heraultes lyned with bukeram, xl trumpet baners of sarcenet, DCCxl penselles of Bokeram, CCCl penselles of Tarteryn, iiij Standerdes of sarcenet with bores, xiij M Quynysans of fustyane with bores" - Richard III, letter to Great Wardrobe Clothing for his son's investiture,1484
"(Richard was) hard favoured of visage, and suche as in states called warlye, in other menne otherwise". - Sir Thomas More
Historian, 1513
"And I myself have seen sundry pictures of this king...and observed his warlike face..." - Sir George Buck, Historian, 1619
"One of these is the honest John Stow, who could not flatter and speak dishonestly, and who was a man very diligent and much inquisitive to uncover all things concerning the affairs or words or persons of princes. And he was very curious in (his) description of their forms, their favours, and of all the lineaments of their bodies....And further, he said that he had spoken with old and grave men who had often seen King Richard, and that they affirmed that he was..of person and bodily shape comely enough, but they said that he was very low of stature." - Sir George Buck, Quoting John Stow, 1619
Bravery
"(Richard's) success is so proven that he alone would suffice to chastise the whole kingdom of Scotland". - Edward IV, letter to Pope Sixtus IV, 1482
"None evil captain was he in war, as to which his disposition was more meetly than for peace". - Sir Thomas More
"His courage also high and fierce, which failed him not in the very death". - Polydor Vergil, Historian, 1520
Victory over the Scots was through "his skill in naval warefare". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
"Such was his renown in warfare, that when ever a difficult and dangerous policy had to be undertaken, it would be entrusted to his discretion and his generalship". - Dominic Mancini, 1483
"...trusting with full powers our illustrious brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester, in whom not only for his nearness and fidelity of relationship, but for his proved skill in military matters and his other virtues..." - Edward IV, Richard as Commander at Scottish campaign, 1482
The Duke of Gloucester, that most noble prince, young of age, victorious in battle..Grace him followeth, fortune and good speed. I suppose he is the same that clerks of read, Fortune hath him chosen and forth with him will go. Her husband to be, the will of God is so. - Verses on the recovery of the throne by Edward IV after the Battle of Barnet, 1471
"In his small body the greatest valor held sway". - Archibald Whitelaw, 1484
"And I shall pray almighty god for his long life and prosperous welfare and that he may have victory of all his enemies and after this short and transitory life in heaven where is joy and bliss world without end. Amen". - William Caxton, Book dedication, 1484
"...and having donned his coat of arms began to fight with much vigor, putting heart into those who remained loyal, so that by his sole effort he upheld the battle for a long time". - Diego de Valera, Castilian Ambassador-Report, 1486
"King Richard alone was killed fighting manfully in the thickest press of his enemies". - Polydor Vergil
"For in the thick of the fight, and not in the act of flight, King Richard fell in the field, struck by many mortal wounds, as a bold and most valiant prince". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
"If I may speak the truth to his honor, although small of body and weak in strength, he most valiantly defended himself as a noble knight to his last breath". - John Rous
"King Richard at the first brunt killyd certaine, overthrew Henryes standerd, together with William Brandon the standerd bearer, and matched also with John Cheney a man of much fortytude, far exceeding the common sort, who encountered him as he cam, but the king with great force drove him to the ground, making way with weapon on every side". - John Rous
…it was shown by divers persons, especially by John Sponer sent unto the field of Redmoor to bring tidings from the same to the city, that King Richard, late lawfully reigning over us, was…piteously slain and murdered, to the great heaviness of this city…
York Civic Records
Compassion
"...who, had not their compassion exceeded all human cupidity, would have instantly doomed the same to plunder and flames. The noble band of victors, however, spared the supplicant and prostrate citizens, the churches, and not only the widows, orphans and minors, but all persons found there unarmed". - Edward IV, Letter to Pope Sixtus IV Richard's Edinburgh campaign.
…the king’s grace is in good health, and in likewise the queen’s grace, and in all their progress have been worshipfully received with pageants; and his lords and judges sitting in every place, determining the complaints or poor folk with due punishment of offenders against his laws…I truly know the king’s mind and entire affection that his grace bears towards you and your worshipful city, for your many kind and loving deservings shown to his grace heretofore, which his grace will never forget, and intends therefore so to do unto you that all the kings that ever reigned over you did never so much, doubt not hereof…I advise you to receive him and the (and) such good speeches as can well be devised…for there come many southern lords and men of worship with them which will mark greatly your receiving (of) their graces…- York Civic Records- John Kendall, King’s Secretary, in Nottingham, to the city of York, 23 August 1483
Humor
"I pray that by my servant, this bearer, a groom of my stable, you will let me know by writing your full intention..." - Richard III, Writing to Louis XI, 1483
"Signifyng unto you that it is shewed unto us that our servant and Sollicitor Thomas Lynom merveillously blynded and abused with the late wife of William Shore nowe being in Ludgate by our commandement hathe made contract of matrymony with hir, as it is said, and entendethe to our full grete mervaile to procede to theffect of the same. Pray you therfore to sende for him. And in that you goodly may exhorte and sture hyme to the contrary. And if ye finde him utterly set forto marye hur and noon othrewise wolbe advertised, then if it may stande with the lawe of the churche we be content, the tyme of marriage deferred to our commyng next to London, that upon sufficient suertie founde for hure good abering of ye do send for hure keper and discharge hym of our said commaundement by warrant of thise, committing hure to the Rule and guyding of hure fader..." -
Richard III, commenting on marriage between Jane Shore/Thomas Lynom, 1483
(The king) openly rehearsed the service done (by the city) to his good grace, and also the decay and poverty of the city, (and) of his most special good grace, without any petition or asking of anything, (he) most graciously and abundantly granted and gave in relief of the city…yearly for ever £58/11/2d…and over that most graciously granted to the mayor and commonality of the city yearly £40 for ever…- John Kendall, 14 September 1483
Lawfullness
"His statutes are extent; what can be found in them not becoming a king? What, not befitting the service of God? The worship of religion? The good of his country? (Yea,I have heard of some, accounted both good lawyers and good statists, that in those three years of his government, there were more good statutes for the public weal enacted, than in thirty years before). He was no taxer of the people, no oppressor of the commons (though he came to manage an estate whose treasure was exceedingly exhausted); no suppressor of his subjects, to satisfy either licentious humors, or to enrich light-headed flatterers..." - Sir William Cornwallis -In defense of Richard III, 1607
"...And this is the King's will to wit, to say 'by his justices' and 'by his law' is to say one and the same thing". - Richard III, to assembled Justices, 1484
"...And therefore wolle & streitly charge you that ye ne suffre hereaftere any manner persone amongst you within oure Towne there nor Suberbes therof forto be outwardly reteyned with any persone of whatsoever astate or degree he be, nor to receive or were any livree of clothing Bagien or othere signe contrarie to our lawes and statutes ordeigned and made in that behalve, but onely oures". - Richard III - Letters to Sheriffs, etc. - Practice of retaining, 1483
"...to discharge Richard Bele from his place in the office of the said Privy Seal, to which he had been admitted contrary to the old rule and due order, by means of giving great gifts and other sinister and ungodly ways in great discouraging of the under-clerks, which have long continued therein, to have the experience of the same - to see a stranger, never brought up in the said office, to put them by of their promotion". - Richard III, Letter to John Gunthorpe, stand against bribary, 1484
"....a proclamation to be made at every court, that if any persone wolle come and compleyne of any of the said baillieffes that they shalbe herd and due reformacion and punysshement be had according to the king's laws and demerites". - Richard III -Letter to Marmaduke Constable -Against extortion, oppression, 1484
“The king removed to Oxford and to Woodstock, where by popular request, he deforested a great area of the country…” - Rous Roll
“...the king sent home the lords into their countries,...and also unto such as went home he gave strict commandments that they should see the countries where they dwelt well guided and that no extortions were done to his subjects…” - Great Chronicle of London
"...justly and duly administer the laws without delay or favor, (dispensing justice) indifferently to every person, as well as to poor as to rich". - Richard III - Address at Westminster, 1483
"...that every person dwelling within (Kent) that find him grieved, oppressed or unduly wrong, do make a bill of his complaint and put it to his highness and he shall be heard and without delay have such convenient remedy as shall be in accord with his laws. For his grace is utterly determined all his true subjects shall live in rest and quiet and peaceably enjoy their lands, livlihoods and goods according to the laws of the land which they be naturally born to inherit. - Richard III, Proclamation in Kent, 1483
The most mighty Prince Richard…all avarice set aside ruled his subjects in his realm full commendably, punishing offenders of his laws, especially extortioners and oppressors of his commons, and cherishing those that were virtuous, by the which discreet guiding he got great thanks of God and love of all his subjects, rich and poor, and great praise of the people of all other lands about him. - The Rous Roll
And most excellent redoubted prince, forasmuch as f your full might and most noble courage is daily disposed and moved to accomplish the offices of Justice, Prudence, Force, and Temperance, and in special for to execute the cardinal virtue of force as to vanquish through the might of God..to subdue you great Adversary of France…- William of Worcester, dedication to Richard III, 1483-85
…the king will it to be ordained, by the advice and assent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and the commons, of this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that his subjects, and the commonality of this his realm, from henceforth in no wise be charged by no such charge, exaction or imposition, called a benevolence, nor by such like charge; and that no such extractions, called benevolences, before this time taken, be taken…of any of his subjects of this realm hereafter… - Statutes of the Realm, 1484
…the king’s highness is fully determined to see due administration of justice throughout his realm…and to reform, punish and subdue all extortions and oppressions in the same. And for the cause will that, at his coming now into his county of Kent, every person dwelling within the same grieved, oppressed or unlawfully wronged make a bill of his complaint and put it to his highness, and he shall be heard and without delay have such convenient remedy as shall accord with his laws. For his grace is utterly determined all his true subjects shall live in rest and quiet and peacefully enjoy their lands, livelihoods and goods according to the laws of this land… - Harleian Manuscript 433
…as a singularly thoughtful and enlightened legislator, who brought to his task a profound knowledge of the nature of contemporary problems, and an enthusiastic determination to solve them in the best possible way, in the interests of every class of his subjects…
H.G. Hanbury, 1962
…We have no difficulty in pronouncing Richard’s parliament the most meritorious national assembly for protecting the liberty of the subject and putting down abuses in the administration of justice that had sat in England since the reign of Henry III....
Lives of the Lord Chancellors of England
To the lower classes-peasants, yeomen, urban artisans-Richard sought to give the protection of justice, not only under his law and through his officers, but by making himself accessible to appeal, particularly through the medium of his council…
Paul Murray Kendall, 1955
(Following Clarence’s death Richard of Gloucester) came very rarely to court. He kept himself within his own lands and set out to acquire the loyalty of his people through favours and justice. The good reputation of his private life and public activities powerfully attracted the esteem of strangers. Such was his renown in warfare that, whenever a difficult and dangerous policy had to be undertaken, it would be entrusted to his discretion and his generalship. By these skills Richard acquired the favour of the people and avoided the jealousy of the queen, from whom he lived far separated. - Dominic Mancini
Legacy
"King Richard, late mercifully reigning over us was piteously slain and murdered to the great heaviness of this city". - York City Records, 1485
"Now I look for the first time upon your face, it is the contenance worthy of the highest power and kingliness, illuminated by moral and heroic virtue...never before has nature dared to encase in a smaller body such spirit and strength". - Archibald Whitelaw
…you see him a wise, magnificent, and a valiant man, and a just, bountiful and temperate; and an eloquent and magnanimous and pious prince; and a benefactor to the holy church and to the realm…- Sir George Buck, 1619
Now that he had supreme power we find continually that Richard’s actions are those of a noble, just and Christian man. The laws he passed, the wrongs he redressed can be equalled by very few kings of England.… - Philip Lindsay, 1933
"The most famous prince of blessed memory". - City of York Records, 1485
“the court shall "hear the bills, requests and supplications of poor persons". - Richard III, Court of pleas letter, 1483
..shall pray "for the soules of Thomas Par, John Milewater, Christofre Wursley, Thomas Huddleston, John Harper, and all other gentilmen and yomen servenders and lovers of the said duke of Gloustre, the wiche were slayn in his service at the batelles of Bernet,Tukysbery or any other feldes or journeys..." - Richard III, Chantry endowment 1484-remembering his soldiers
"For in the thick of the fight, and not in the act of flight, King Richard fell in the field, struck by many mortal wounds, as a bold and most valiant prince". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
Truly, he had a sharp wit, provident and subtle". - Polydore Vergil , writing about Richard III, 1513
"(Richard) never acted sleepily, but incisively and with the utmost vigilance". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
To honor our dearest first born son Edward, whose outstanding qualities, with which he is singularly endowed for his age, give great and, by the favor of God, undoubted hope of future uprightness".
"Anne, before-named, departed this life and was buried at Westminster, with no less honors than befitted the interment of a queen". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
Loyalty
"Thank God, the giver of all gifts, for the support received from our most loving brother". - Edward IV,Writing to Pope Sixtus IV, 1482
"And such gentlemen as shall hap to marry with them I shall straitly charge lovingly to love and entreat them, as wives and kinswomen,, as they will avoid and eshew my displeasure". - Richard III, writing about his nieces, 1484
“...so far come into question that some remain yet in doubt whether they were in King Richard's days destroyed or no". - Sir Thomas More concerning Richard's nephews, 1513
"This indenture witnesseth that the said erle (Lord William Herbert, Earl of Huntingdon) promiseth that before the fast of St. Michael he shall take to wiff Dame Katerine Plantagenet, daughter,for which our soverain lord graunteth to the said erle and Dame Katerine...estate...of the yearly value of (1000) marc..." - Richard III, part of indenture for Katherine, his illegitimate daughter, 1484
"Our dear son, our bastard John of Gloucester, whose quickness of mind, agility of body, and inclination to all good customs give us great hope". - Richard III, Appointing John Captain of Calais, 1484
"To honor our dearest first born son Edward, whose outstanding qualities, with which he is singularly endowed for his age, give great and, by the favor of God, undoubted hope of future uprightness". - Richard III at Nottingham
"Then he came to York, where on the Feast of the Nativity of the Glorious Virgin Mary, his ittle son and heir, aged a little over seven, was knighted and made Prince of Wales, with many other great honours". - John Rous
"On hearing the news of this, at Nottingham, where they were then residing, you might have seen his father and mother in a state almost bordering on madness, by reason of their sudden grief". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator - Prince of Wales death, 1486
"...to the most high trone and honour all other ladys of this nobyll realme anoyntyd and crownyd Quene of Ynglond, wife unto the moost victoryus kynge Rychard the Thryd". - John Rous, writing about Anne of Warwick
“..for my "most beloved consort". - Richard III, account book, for gifts, 1484
"...although the fact ought not to be concealed that, during this feast of the Nativity, far too much attention was given to dancing and gaiety". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
"Anne, before-named, departed this life and was buried at Westminster, with no less honors than befitted the interment of a queen". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
Piety
"...The mass of Salus Populi shall be celebrated by the whole congregation of regents and non-regents of the aforesaid university, for the happy state of the same most renowned prince and his dearest consort Anne". - Lord Thomas Rotherham, Chancellor, University of Cambridge, 1484
..shall pray "for the soules of Thomas Par, John Milewater, Christofre Wursley, Thomas Huddleston, John Harper, and all other gentilmen and yomen servenders and lovers of the said duke of Gloustre, the wiche were slayn in his service at the batelles of Bernet,Tukysbery or any other feldes or journeys..." - Richard III - Chantry endowment 1484- Remembering his soldiers
"...our principal intent and fervent desire is to see virtue and cleanness of living to be advanced, increased and multiplied, and vices and all other things repugnant to virtue, provoking the high indignation and fearful displeasure of God to be repressed and annulled...We therefore will and desire you (that) you will see within the authority of your jurisdiction all such persons as set apart virtue and promote the damnable execution of sin and vices to be reformed, repressed and punished..." - Richard III -letter to bishops, 1484
"The next day he went to mass and heard exquisite music in the church the king also attended". - Nicholas von Popplau, 1484
"...a most noble and blessed disposition toward the Church". - Convocation of Canterbury, Writing about Richard III
Reputation
"The good reputation of his private life and public activities powerfully attracted the esteem of strangers". - Dominic Mancini, Report, 1483
"If we look first of all for religious devotion which of our princes shows more genuine piety? If for justice, who can we reckon above him throughout the world? If we contemplate the prudence of service, both in peace and war, who shall we judge his equal? If we look for truth of soul, for wisdom, for loftiness of mind united with modesty, who stands before our King Richard? What Emperor or Prince can be compared with him in good works or munificence"? - Pietro Carmeliano, 1484
The most famous prince of blessed memory".- City of York Records, 1485
"This letter had a great effect on the minds of the people, who, as they previously favored the duke in their hearts from a belief in his probity, now began to support him openly and aloud". - Dominic Mancini, 1483
"The mayor and his brethen, being clad in scarlet, and the citizens to the number of five hundred or more, in violet, met the king beyond Kingston in Southwark..." - Robert Fabyan, Chronicler, 1504
"The king took him by the hand and assured him very graciously that he would do everything to make him comfortable". - Nicholas von Popplau, Diary, 1484
At York, Richard III was joyfully received of the citizens, who for his coming made certain days public and open triumph…(When) the day of general procession was at hand, (there) was great influence of people, for desire of beholding the new king. In which procession was solemnly set forth and celebrated by the clergy, the king was present in person, adorned with a notably rich diadem, and accompanied with a great number of noble men; the queen followed also with a crown upon her head, who led by the hand her son Edward, crowned also with so great honour, joy and congratulation of the inhabitants, as in show of rejoicing they extolled King Richard above the skies… - Polydore Vergil
I trust to God, by Michaelmas, the king shall be in London. He contents the people where he goes best that ever did prince, for many a poor man hath suffered wrong many days, hath been relieved and helped by him, and his commands on his progress. An in many great cities and towns were great sums of money given to him, which he hath refused. On my troth, I never liked the condition of any prince so well as his. God hath sent him to us for the weal of us all. - Christ Church Letters - Thomas Langston, Bishop of St. David’s to the Prior of Christ Church - September 1483
Virtue
"On my trouth I lykyd never the condicions of ony prince so wel as his; God hathe sent hym to us for the wele of all..."
Thomas Langton - Bishop of St. David's, Letter to a friend 1483
“All avarice aside, (Richard) ruled his subjects in his realm full commendably, punishing offenders of his laws, especially extortioners and oppressors of his commons, and cherishing those that were virtuous; by the which discreet guiding he got great thanks of God and love of all his subjects rich and poor." - John Rous, Historian, 1490
"...of all the sovereigns whom I have known, you stand out as the greatest - in the renown of your nobility, in your sway over your people, in your strength of arms, and in the wealth of resources at your command." - Archibald Whitelaw, Scottish Ambassador, 1484
If we look first of all for religious devotion which our princes show a more genuine piety? If for justice, who can we reckon above him throughout the world? If we contemplate the prudence of his service, both in peace, and in waging war, who shall we judge his equal? If we look for truth of souls for wisdom, for loftiness of mind, united with modesty, who stands before our King Richard? What Emperor or Prince can be compared with him in good works or munificence. - Pietro Carmeliano’s dedication of "The Life of St. Catherine", to Sir Robert Brackenbury, 1483-85
And this little book, I present to my redoubted natural and most dread sovereign lord, King Richard of England and of France, to the end that he command this book to be had and read unto other young lords, knights and gentlemen within his realm, that the noble Order of Chivalry be hereafter better used and honoured than it hath been in late days passed. And I shall pray Almighty God for his long life and prosperous welfare and that he may have victory of all his enemies, and after this short and transitory life to have everlasting life in heaven whereas is joy and bliss, world without end Amen. - William Caxton, Dedication of the Order of Chivalry to King Richard III, 1484
"If we look for prudence in fostering peace and waging war, who shall we judge his equal?" - Pietro Carmeliano,Poet, 1484
(Richard) "was reigning in greater splendour and authority than any king of England for the last hundred years". - Philippe de Commynes, historian 1490
"We considre also, the great wytte, prudence, justice, princely courage, and the memorable and laudable acts in diverse battalls which we by experience knowe ye heretofore have done for the salvacion and defence of this same realme, and also the greate noblesse and excellence of your byrth and blode as of hym that is descended of thre most royal houses in Christendom, that is to say, England, Fraunce and Hispaine." - Parliament, Request to Richard, 1483
“Over this we consider howe that ye be the undoubted sonne and heire of Richard late Duke of Yorke verray enheritour to the said crowne and dignitie roiall and as in ryght Kyngof Englond by way of enheritaunce and that at this time the premisses duely considered there is noon other person lyvyng but ye only, that by right may clame the said coroune and dignitie roiall, by way of enheritaunce, and how ye be born within this lande, by reason whereof, as we deme in our myndes, ye be more naturally enclyned to the properity and comen wele of the same; and all three estates of the land have, and may have more certain knowledge of your birth and filiation above said". - Parliament,Request to Richard, l483
"For you are the embodiment of military skill, prowess, good fortune and authority - all qualities which Cicero, in his eulogy of Pompey, declares should be sought in the best military leader...In you, however, most serene Prince, all the requirements of a good king and general come together... Were Cicero still alive, his skills would scarcely suffice to describe your virtues fully or sing your praises to the skies". - Archibald Whitelaw, 1484
Wit
Most serene Prince and King; of all the sovereigns whom I have known, you stand out as the greatest – in the renown of your nobility, in your sway over your people, in your strength of arms, and in the wealth of resources at every form of virtue (has) reached into every corner of the world; moreover, there is the excellent and outstanding humanity of you innate benevolence, your clemency, your liberality, your good faith, your supreme justice, and your incredible greatness of heart. Your wisdom is not just human, it is almost divine: for you make yourself not simply at ease with important individuals, but courteous to the common people too…(Now) I look for the first time upon your face; it is a countenance worthy of the highest power and kingliness, illuminated by moral and heroic virtue. Fitting for you are the words which the post Statius used of the noble prince of Thebes:
For you are the embodiment of military skill, prowess, good fortune and authority – all qualities which Cicero, in his eulogy of Pompey, declares should be sought in the best military leader…In you, however, most serene Prince, all the requirements of a glorious king and general come together…Were Cicero still alive, his skills would scarcely suffice to describe your virtues fully or sing your praises to the skies…
Archibald Whitelaw’s Address to Richard III, 12 September 1484
"Richard, the third son, of whom we now entreat, was in wit and courage equal with either of them". - Sir Thomas More
George, Edward comparison, 1513
"Truly, he had a sharp wit, provident and subtle". - Polydore Vergil Writing about Richard III, 1513
"(Richard) never acted sleepily, but incisively and with the utmost vigilance". - Croyland Chronicle Continuator, 1486
"Your wisdom is not just human, it is almost divine; for you make yourself not simply at ease with important individuals, but courteous to the common people too". - Archibald Whitelaw, 1484
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