Written in 1593, King Richard III is probably Shakespeare’s longest play. It is a drama about the life and times of the English monarch (1452-1485) who ruled for just to years before his death. According to history books he died at Bosworth around August 22. He was the last Yorkist king. He assumed the throne with help from parliament.
The present play opens in Edward IV ’s time and ends with victory of Henry Tudor. There is a lot of politics, things that happen in palaces. We also see a king who does much to retain power and is consumed by its trappings. Yet his reign is but brief and never secure.
The story. Henry VI is killed. The Yorkist king Edward IV and his kin are blamed. Gloucester who is brother to Edward IV wants to be king. For this he kills his brother Clarence by complicity. The widow of Henry VI curses the Yorkists. Suddenly Edward IV is dead from disease. His sons are minor. The regent Gloucester with the help of Buckingham declares the heir apparent illegitimate. After a lot of manipulation Gloucester is crowned Richard III. But the man is restless and pursues friends and enemies alike with vengeance.
Nearly everyone is killed. Those that escape go to Brittany to join Earl of Richmond. Richmond wages war with Richard III and kills him. He is crowned Henry VII, the first Tudor king of England.