"For many, Richard III is an obsession -- the Richard III Society has a huge membership, and Shakespeare's Histories have contributed to, if not his popularity, certainly his notoriety. Now, with the discovery of Richard III's bones under a parking lot in Leicester, England, interest in this divisive and enigmatic figure in British history is at an all-time high. It is a compelling story to scholars as well as general readers, who continue to seek out the kind of strong narrative history that David Horspool delivers in this groundbreaking biography of the king. Richard III dispassionately examines the legend as well as the man to uncover both what we know of the life of Richard, and the way that his reputation has been formed and re-formed over centuries. But beyond simply his reputation, there is no dispute that the last Plantagenet is a pivotal figure in English history--his death signaled the end of the War of the Roses, and, arguably, the end of the medieval period in England--and Horspool's biography chronicles this tumultuous time with flair. This narrative-driven and insightful biography lays out a view of Richard that is fair to his historical character and to his background in the medieval world. Above all, it is authoritative in its assessment of a king who came to the throne under extraordinary circumstances."-- Publisher's description.

Introduction -- Son of the 'high and mighty prince": "His wit and reson wt drawen" ; "Infants, who have not offended against the king" ; At Fastolf's place ; "Into the parties of Flanders" ; Duke of Gloucester, Squire of Warwick ; "Little body and feeble strength" -- Exile and recovery: Richard of Wales ; "My lord of Gloucester travelled to Holland" ; "Ledyng the vaward of Kyng Edward" -- Warwick's heir: A bride for a prince ; A bridge on the River Somme ; Family business ; Lord of the North ; "To fight against James, King of Scotland" -- "To catch the English crown": Uncle and protector ; Friday the thirteenth ; "Ordeigned to reigne upon the people" -- "Her comyth Richard the third": "The princes in the tower" ; "To shine as a king" ; "The most untrewe creature lyvyng" -- "In one body there are many members": Castle of care ; "All Engeland, undyr an hogge" ; Evil reports -- "Tant le desieree" -- "My shadow as I pass": "By broken faith" ; "To secure a reassessment" ; Richard at rest.