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Richard the Third
"The best biography of Richard III that has been written."―A. L. Rowse, Chicago Tribune Paul Murray Kendall's masterful account of the life of England's King Richard III has remained the standard biography of this controversial figure. 4 b/w illustrations.
602 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
About the author
Paul Murray Kendall
14 books22 followersPaul Murray Kendall was an American academic and historian. A 1928 graduate from Frankford High School, Kendall studied at the University of Virginia, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1932, and master's in 1933. In 1937, while studying for a Ph.D, he became an instructor in English at the Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in 1939, and continued as professor at Ohio University until his retirement in 1970, after which he served as head of the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Kansas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
November 21, 2008
Richard III is my historical boyfriend; I would run headlong into the TARDIS and never look back, just for the chance to go back and look once upon his face.
March 24, 2011
I took a long time to read this, more so as I got through it, because I was delaying reaching the end, even though I know what happens. I didn't want Richard to die. I'm a die-hard Ricardian, always have been, always will be. I don't believe Richard was evil, I don't believe he murdered the Princes in the Tower, and I'll hate Henry VII until the day I die. I believe Richard was a good man who perhaps should never have been king, a man who believed in justice, loyalty and honesty, and who was more concerned for the common man that any king before or since. I believe that had he survived Bosworth he could have been one of our greatest kings, and that tragedy just breaks my heart. This is one of the most balanced accounts of Richard's life I've ever read and really highlights just how much of what we consider 'history' is the result of centuries of slander, propaganda and obfuscation.
November 30, 2008
This is the biography which Sharon Kay Penman used as the principal source for her superb novel "The Sunne in Splendour". Kendall is considered to be one of the most useful and excellent biographers of this much maligned king. His scholarship is impeccable and his notes are fascinating. He quite fairly presents the evidence for the guilt of the three main suspects in the deaths of Edward V and his brother, the Duke of York. So far as I can tell, he has rounded up all the available contemporary information about Richard and has woven it into a truly fascinating tale which is as engrossing as any fictional account. I keep coming back to sections of this work in order to check the comments of other writers.
Kendall has a real gift for portraying the various characters in this most confusing era of English history. I can think of no better guide through this maze of constantly changing allegiances. He takes you inside the machinations of the various sectors and makes sense of it all. It should be on the shelf of all Ricardians.
Kendall has a real gift for portraying the various characters in this most confusing era of English history. I can think of no better guide through this maze of constantly changing allegiances. He takes you inside the machinations of the various sectors and makes sense of it all. It should be on the shelf of all Ricardians.
July 6, 2024
This had sat on my bookshelves for many years - my loss!
A very readable biography, sympathetic to Richard but objective and PMK's assertions are well supported by primary evidence. I have always had a fairly open mind about Richard. Whilst being sceptical of Tudor propaganda and particularly the monster created by Shakespeare - good yarn that it is - I had been equally wary of Ricardian diehards. This book was an eye opener and has given me a thirst to read more about this able and much maligned king. Adored in the north, particularly by the citizens of York (and only a little less so by Londoners), this resulted from his reputation for justice, fair play and good governance. He cut his teeth as an able administrator from a very tender age. Loyal to his brother Edward IV, who he served well and was trusted by accordingly. That loyalty extended to many others, though it would be poorly repaid in some cases. Richard was kind and generous to a fault and honourable in his dealings with others. Lacking the charisma of his brothers Edward IV and the Duke of Clarence, he was in awe of them. A sickly child and a weakling in their shadows, he had built up his physical and mental resources and proved himself in battles prior to Bosworth. The evidence stacks up in his all too short reign that he may have gone on to be one of the best kings England, Wales and Ireland (very popular in the latter) ever had.
Did he murder the Princes in the Tower? The jury (and PMK) is still out. It is not in keeping with what is known of his character and record. But he has got to remain a contender, though my money is on Buckingham. Recommended.
A very readable biography, sympathetic to Richard but objective and PMK's assertions are well supported by primary evidence. I have always had a fairly open mind about Richard. Whilst being sceptical of Tudor propaganda and particularly the monster created by Shakespeare - good yarn that it is - I had been equally wary of Ricardian diehards. This book was an eye opener and has given me a thirst to read more about this able and much maligned king. Adored in the north, particularly by the citizens of York (and only a little less so by Londoners), this resulted from his reputation for justice, fair play and good governance. He cut his teeth as an able administrator from a very tender age. Loyal to his brother Edward IV, who he served well and was trusted by accordingly. That loyalty extended to many others, though it would be poorly repaid in some cases. Richard was kind and generous to a fault and honourable in his dealings with others. Lacking the charisma of his brothers Edward IV and the Duke of Clarence, he was in awe of them. A sickly child and a weakling in their shadows, he had built up his physical and mental resources and proved himself in battles prior to Bosworth. The evidence stacks up in his all too short reign that he may have gone on to be one of the best kings England, Wales and Ireland (very popular in the latter) ever had.
Did he murder the Princes in the Tower? The jury (and PMK) is still out. It is not in keeping with what is known of his character and record. But he has got to remain a contender, though my money is on Buckingham. Recommended.
April 13, 2016
Paul Murray Kendall's Richard the Third is a readable biographical introduction of the last Plantagenet King of England that for many only comes to mind as the sinister hunchback of Shakespeare. Even though over 50 years worth of research has outdated some of Kendall's evidence, his overall body of work gives the reader a truer glimpse of Richard the man than from Richard the arch villain. From the outset, Kendall informs his reader of personal interpretations he has made from evidence through the use of starred (*) references within the text with explanations in the Notes after the main body of text. Kendall does tackle the death of the Princes in the first Appendix as he feels a discussion within the text itself would not be proper, which given the subject seems to be the correct course. Although Kendall believes that Richard was not responsible for the death of his nephews, in fact believing the evidence points to the Duke of Buckingham as instigator if not actual culprit, but Kendall does acknowledge that Richard might have in some way acquiesced and ultimately believed he was at fault through taking the throne. In the second appendix Kendall gives a historiography surrounding Richard of over the centuries until the publication of his book, which he hopes to be a moderate addition instead of "revisionist." Although the writing and pace are a little dated, Kendall's book is a fine introduction to Richard the man.
February 6, 2009
Possibly one of the best, if not the standard work, of biography of Richard III. Far from the twisted caricature of Shakespeare or even the propaganda of the Tudors, desperate to legitimise their Regicide, Richard of Gloucester is a man driven by loyalty and obligation. He's not the perfect and kind King some have tried to re-invent him as, but he's far more human than the monster of the Bard.
August 13, 2012
"If he had committed a grievous wrong, he had sought earnestly to do great good."
Never before have I been so enthralled with any aspect of history. Paul Murray Kendall paints a factually accurate but immensely fascinating portrait of a complicated man living in a completely foreign time. Richard's lot in history is usually at one end of the good/evil spetrum -- either a cold-blooded murderer or a misunderstood scapegoat. Kendall doesn't buy into this unnecessary categorization, but instead explores in depth all of the complexities that make up the man.
Whether or not Richard killed the Princes in the Tower is largely irrelevant to the crown he wore, the empire he built, and the legacy he left for his subjects. Nevertheless, Kendall's treatment of this question reveals the care he takes not only to ensure that the history he reports is conveyed accurately from the original sources, but even more importantly to curate his sources with the scrutiny required to evaluate their trustworthiness.
Kendall is keenly aware that "the worth of a source as a whole casts light upon the worth of any single piece of testimony it advances," and is rightfully outraged by anyone who tries to claim that one reliable piece of evidence "vouches for the essential reliability" of the source as a whole, "simply because one detail seems to correspond with the truth." Character, motivation, and bias are all taken into accunt when evaluating all evidence.
And Kendall isn't content to merely rifle through documents (but oh, how he does...I never would have imagined the wealth of relevant information to be found in something like the Wardrobe Accounts). He even consulted dentists and anthropologists to assess the conclusions made in 1933 from the physical evidence of the bodies found in the Towers in 1674, wisely stating that "Since he conclusions of science are not static, it seemed to me wise to submit the anatomical and dental evidence...to authoritative scrutiny."
He is more careful with drawing conclusions than most scientists are when reporting their own findings. Kendall manages to simultaneously tell you what he can't say because the evidence doesn't conclusively support it, while still making important conclusions. As one example, he narrows down the list of probable suspects in the case of the Princes in the Tower to those who were around during Richard's reign (so Henry VII gets a pass on this one): "As the matter stands, it can be asserted that (a) if these are the skeletons of the Princes, then the boys were killed in the summer of 1483; and (b) it is very probable that these are indeed the skeletons of the Princes."
Kendall also makes it clear that context is everything. Behavior can only be evaluated within the society in which it occurs. Certainly this doesn't mean that just because all deposed monarchs end up dead -- and often by very horrible deaths -- that Richard was innocent, but it certainly does make any actions he may have taken seem more in line with the times.
Whether or not he was directly responsible for the death of the Princes, it is clear that Richard was a great man with good intentions who ruled benevolently. Kendall describes this far better than I can: "In the coils of circumstance and high place, of opportunity in the guise of duty, of warped memories of the past and cloudy urgencies of the present, Richard had seized the throne and then, very possibly, had done a far more grievous wrong; yet, though these acts cast an ironic shadow they need not cast doubt upon the intense sincerity of his moral feeling." Unfortunately the death of the Princes has overshadowed his many achievements both in battle and in society, the loyalty his subjects felt towards the man who had always treated them so well, and the responsibility Richard felt towards protecting his subjects and their interests.
But in the end, ruling well meant little. He ruled kindly and was repaid with betrayal. "The gifts Richard had bestowed out of generosity rather than policy, the treasure he had dispensed to show his good will when he might have withheld it to toughen the sinews of his enterprises, the justice he had done at the risk of alienating powerful interests, the services he had performed for the weak--all these did little for him now."
In the end, he was destroyed by his inability to rule mercilessly. He knew he had been betrayed, but rather than imprison his old friend for the sake of self-preservation, Richard allowed Lord Stanley to make his own decisions. "Richard was knowingly marching into an ambush which he had permitted these lords to set for him."
Through Kendall I felt as though I had experienced Richard's rule, and in reading of the end I mourned the loss of this great man. My heart ached at the Battle of Bosworth as Richard, betrayed by those who he had kept close and treated well, charged upon Henry Tudor crying out "Treason!" before he was beat lifeless alone on the field. I don't know if I'll ever be able to read about the Tudor dynasty without feeling guilty for betraying King Richard.
P.S. There are a lot of names (and especially a lot of Henrys) and titles ("Someone, Duke of Something"). I found this to be confusing at first, but don't let it keep you from reading or enjoying this book. You'll get used to it after a while, once you get to know the characters.
Never before have I been so enthralled with any aspect of history. Paul Murray Kendall paints a factually accurate but immensely fascinating portrait of a complicated man living in a completely foreign time. Richard's lot in history is usually at one end of the good/evil spetrum -- either a cold-blooded murderer or a misunderstood scapegoat. Kendall doesn't buy into this unnecessary categorization, but instead explores in depth all of the complexities that make up the man.
Whether or not Richard killed the Princes in the Tower is largely irrelevant to the crown he wore, the empire he built, and the legacy he left for his subjects. Nevertheless, Kendall's treatment of this question reveals the care he takes not only to ensure that the history he reports is conveyed accurately from the original sources, but even more importantly to curate his sources with the scrutiny required to evaluate their trustworthiness.
Kendall is keenly aware that "the worth of a source as a whole casts light upon the worth of any single piece of testimony it advances," and is rightfully outraged by anyone who tries to claim that one reliable piece of evidence "vouches for the essential reliability" of the source as a whole, "simply because one detail seems to correspond with the truth." Character, motivation, and bias are all taken into accunt when evaluating all evidence.
And Kendall isn't content to merely rifle through documents (but oh, how he does...I never would have imagined the wealth of relevant information to be found in something like the Wardrobe Accounts). He even consulted dentists and anthropologists to assess the conclusions made in 1933 from the physical evidence of the bodies found in the Towers in 1674, wisely stating that "Since he conclusions of science are not static, it seemed to me wise to submit the anatomical and dental evidence...to authoritative scrutiny."
He is more careful with drawing conclusions than most scientists are when reporting their own findings. Kendall manages to simultaneously tell you what he can't say because the evidence doesn't conclusively support it, while still making important conclusions. As one example, he narrows down the list of probable suspects in the case of the Princes in the Tower to those who were around during Richard's reign (so Henry VII gets a pass on this one): "As the matter stands, it can be asserted that (a) if these are the skeletons of the Princes, then the boys were killed in the summer of 1483; and (b) it is very probable that these are indeed the skeletons of the Princes."
Kendall also makes it clear that context is everything. Behavior can only be evaluated within the society in which it occurs. Certainly this doesn't mean that just because all deposed monarchs end up dead -- and often by very horrible deaths -- that Richard was innocent, but it certainly does make any actions he may have taken seem more in line with the times.
Whether or not he was directly responsible for the death of the Princes, it is clear that Richard was a great man with good intentions who ruled benevolently. Kendall describes this far better than I can: "In the coils of circumstance and high place, of opportunity in the guise of duty, of warped memories of the past and cloudy urgencies of the present, Richard had seized the throne and then, very possibly, had done a far more grievous wrong; yet, though these acts cast an ironic shadow they need not cast doubt upon the intense sincerity of his moral feeling." Unfortunately the death of the Princes has overshadowed his many achievements both in battle and in society, the loyalty his subjects felt towards the man who had always treated them so well, and the responsibility Richard felt towards protecting his subjects and their interests.
But in the end, ruling well meant little. He ruled kindly and was repaid with betrayal. "The gifts Richard had bestowed out of generosity rather than policy, the treasure he had dispensed to show his good will when he might have withheld it to toughen the sinews of his enterprises, the justice he had done at the risk of alienating powerful interests, the services he had performed for the weak--all these did little for him now."
In the end, he was destroyed by his inability to rule mercilessly. He knew he had been betrayed, but rather than imprison his old friend for the sake of self-preservation, Richard allowed Lord Stanley to make his own decisions. "Richard was knowingly marching into an ambush which he had permitted these lords to set for him."
Through Kendall I felt as though I had experienced Richard's rule, and in reading of the end I mourned the loss of this great man. My heart ached at the Battle of Bosworth as Richard, betrayed by those who he had kept close and treated well, charged upon Henry Tudor crying out "Treason!" before he was beat lifeless alone on the field. I don't know if I'll ever be able to read about the Tudor dynasty without feeling guilty for betraying King Richard.
P.S. There are a lot of names (and especially a lot of Henrys) and titles ("Someone, Duke of Something"). I found this to be confusing at first, but don't let it keep you from reading or enjoying this book. You'll get used to it after a while, once you get to know the characters.
June 14, 2013
This was an excellent introduction to Richard III that read like a novel. Kendall's prose is clear and carries the reader right along. Also, Kendall's use and interpretation of an exhaustive list of primary sources is nothing short of awesome. While some points in this book may be a bit dated, his sympathetic view of the reigns of Edward IV and Richard III has been borne out by more recent research. At times, the book seems to be an apologetic, and I'm not sure that Kendall made his case regarding Richard's role with the princes in the Tower; I think the evidence is inconclusive either way, and Kendall includes a helpful appendix on the topic. In spite of that, I think that Kendall proves his overarching point on the character of Richard III. Kendall's powers of description immerse the reader in the era, especially with his description of 1480's London. This is the best biography I have ever read of Richard III and it is well worth the time to read.
January 19, 2008
I've been reading this book on and off over some months as part of some broader research.
I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to read a biography about Richard III. Some excellent historical fiction has been written about Richard but he is often either reviled (as the dastardly murderer of the princes in the Tower of London) or revered as the noble king slain at the battle of Bosworth.
While sympathetic towards Richard, Mr Kendall provides a well written biography which is accessible to non academic readers. Recommended reading for those who, having read some of the recent historical fiction in which Richard features, want to know more about this period in history.
I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to read a biography about Richard III. Some excellent historical fiction has been written about Richard but he is often either reviled (as the dastardly murderer of the princes in the Tower of London) or revered as the noble king slain at the battle of Bosworth.
While sympathetic towards Richard, Mr Kendall provides a well written biography which is accessible to non academic readers. Recommended reading for those who, having read some of the recent historical fiction in which Richard features, want to know more about this period in history.
Currently reading
June 30, 2008I'm rereading this book to refresh my memory of the real Richard III after reading "The Sunne in Splendour." Kendall's assessment of Richard is balanced and fair, based on careful analysis of the existing sources, with the basis for any speculation always carefully explained in the notes. If your idea of Richard comes from Shakespeare or Sir Thomas More, or if you simply like to read about real people in troubled times faced with moral dilemmas and betrayals, you'll enjoy this book, which is not only superbly researched but also as well-written and absorbing as any novel.
October 27, 2012
Over the past few years, I've become addicted to Plantagenet history and particularly Richard III. Blame it on Sharon Kay Penman, if you will. Having read several Wars of the Roses history books, other Plantagenet biographies, and numerous historical fiction books on this "better than Hollywood screenwriters" family histories, I was anxious to read this book as it had come highly recommended. Typically I find most biographies and history books quite dry - too much quoting of sources and jumping around in time rather than in chronological order. This book was not typical. It was so good, in fact, that I read both appendices and read many of the footnotes as they contained a great deal more interesting information pertinent to the central story. At the end, I wanted more. And the reading was timely - along with the archeological dig for Richard's remains and the pending results of the DNA testing. I, for one, hope it is Richard.
January 7, 2013
In a word, magnificent. I think this is one of the best works of historical biography — of history even — that I've ever read. The quality of Kendall's prose is really quite exceptional. Every page is enlivened by sentences so memorable you want to speak them aloud, just for the pleasure of hearing them roll off your tongue. His pen portraits are pithy and compelling: in just a few short paragraphs characters rise from the page, living again. And then of course there's the story he has to tell — what a story it is.
I knew little about Richard before I came to this book — an awareness of the Shakespeare play and the hunch-backed caricature of popular culture — but such is the power of Kendall's masterly portrait that I was moved to tears by the final pages. If you have any interest at all in this period — dammit, if you have any interest at all in the frailties of human nature and the struggle for power, then read it. Just read it.
I knew little about Richard before I came to this book — an awareness of the Shakespeare play and the hunch-backed caricature of popular culture — but such is the power of Kendall's masterly portrait that I was moved to tears by the final pages. If you have any interest at all in this period — dammit, if you have any interest at all in the frailties of human nature and the struggle for power, then read it. Just read it.
October 14, 2022
After reading Shakespeare’s play Richard III I wanted to get another perspective besides Shakespeare’s obviously biased though quite thrilling dramatization. This was the perfect balance. It was well researched and detailed, though probably a bit more detailed than I would have preferred. Richard III was a nuanced character in history and this book really brings that to light. I especially found intriguing the section about what really happened to the princes in the tower. Like many I always thought Richard III did them in and while I still think that’s a possibility I now know that was one of many possibilities. Overall I quite enjoyed this book and would highly recommend if you want to learn more about Richard III.
September 2, 2013
Admittedly I'm on a bit of a medieval English history kick at the moment, but this is excellent (especially if you're a fan of The Sunne in Splendour or The White Queen, as it's clearly important source material for both).
It's obvious why this is the definitive biography of Richard III. Kendall was painstaking in his research and he manages to relate it to the readers in an interesting, not-remotely-dry way. I really feel like I have an understanding of not just the facts, but also for the characters of so many of the people Kendall focuses on. For example, this description of Richard's troublesome brother George is incredibly evocative: "He possessed, indeed, scarcely more than ordinary talents, and he was both intellectually and emotionally naive. Consequently he was terribly vulnerable to attacks of hurt vanity, being unable to distinguish his desires from his prerogatives."
UGH. So good. 5/5. Would recommend, except for the part where it all goes horribly wrong for Richard and everything comes to a super tragic end.
Anyway one more quote because I love it, and because seriously, this is EXACTLY how it feels when you're in the middle of the rolling green countryside in England: "The hills seemed to have been rounded by the stamp of Roman legions and of Celtic kings. The earth was gigantic, elemental - leading men's thoughts to God, teaching men the necessity of human ties, confirming men in their feeling for old ways and old things...Here young Richard, in those impressionable years between nine and thirteen, discovered the native country of his spirit, a country which half created, half affirmed the kind of man he was to be."
Excuse me, while I go sob over my Richard III feels now.
It's obvious why this is the definitive biography of Richard III. Kendall was painstaking in his research and he manages to relate it to the readers in an interesting, not-remotely-dry way. I really feel like I have an understanding of not just the facts, but also for the characters of so many of the people Kendall focuses on. For example, this description of Richard's troublesome brother George is incredibly evocative: "He possessed, indeed, scarcely more than ordinary talents, and he was both intellectually and emotionally naive. Consequently he was terribly vulnerable to attacks of hurt vanity, being unable to distinguish his desires from his prerogatives."
UGH. So good. 5/5. Would recommend, except for the part where it all goes horribly wrong for Richard and everything comes to a super tragic end.
Anyway one more quote because I love it, and because seriously, this is EXACTLY how it feels when you're in the middle of the rolling green countryside in England: "The hills seemed to have been rounded by the stamp of Roman legions and of Celtic kings. The earth was gigantic, elemental - leading men's thoughts to God, teaching men the necessity of human ties, confirming men in their feeling for old ways and old things...Here young Richard, in those impressionable years between nine and thirteen, discovered the native country of his spirit, a country which half created, half affirmed the kind of man he was to be."
Excuse me, while I go sob over my Richard III feels now.
November 1, 2014
I thought this was a quite decent biography of Richard III. The author took some pains to avoid being biased in either direction. As such both Ricardians and Tudor sympathizers will feel some disappointment. Richard is depicted as a loyal brother to Edward IV, providing good government and stability to the north (score one, Ricardians). However, he is ultimately undone with some lapses in judgement and misplaced trust is those around him, most notably Buckingham. His critical errors in judgement seem to be with regard to the fate of the Princes and his decision to not marry off Edward's daughters, giving Henry Tudor the means by which to cement his authority after seizing power by force. The author concludes ambiguously, given the poor evidence available. He suggests that Richard might have had them killed, or acquiesced to it, but then Buckingham had at least if not more motivation. However, by seizing the throne, Richard (in the author's view) ultimately doomed the Princes. Every monarch ever deposed soon found themselves in the grave.
February 1, 2017
Ah, Richard III, otherwise known as one of Shakespeare's greatest villains. But having read this biography, I am ready to say that Shakespeare's (and by extension, the Tudors') Richard III needs to be kept squarely in the realm of drama and fiction. Suffice it to say, the real Richard III was not evil incarnate, with a severely mangled body to match his depraved soul. I think Kendall sums up the Tudor/"Shakespearean-ized" portrayal of Richard III quite aptly and memorably on the last page of this biography: "What a tribute this is to art; what a misfortune this is for history."
If you don't really know anything about Richard III, this biography probably won't interest you nearly as much because you can't compare and contrast Kendall's research with the popular "Tudor myth" of Richard III. But as someone who is quite familiar with the Tudor version of Richard III because of Shakespeare, I thought that this was a fascinating book to read overall.
(Read for the 2017 Tim Challies Christian Reading Challenge: A biography)
If you don't really know anything about Richard III, this biography probably won't interest you nearly as much because you can't compare and contrast Kendall's research with the popular "Tudor myth" of Richard III. But as someone who is quite familiar with the Tudor version of Richard III because of Shakespeare, I thought that this was a fascinating book to read overall.
(Read for the 2017 Tim Challies Christian Reading Challenge: A biography)
April 9, 2013
I had to finally put this book down. There were just too many tiny, unnecessary details that bogged the story down. I don't care that someone was given an annual stipend of 30 pounds, 25 shillings and 13 pence. I just couldn't keep interested in the story because of this incredibly obtuse attention to useless detail.
August 21, 2015
Having just read his book upon the French king known as the "Universal Spider" and also 3 other books of this time frame and the century before the 15th Century, I can now say that I finally understand much more about the combination of European changes that birthed the Renaissance.
Richard III's life, within that sphere- has immense input to those changes. Despite the shortness of his two year reign as King- it was what went before and the economics of serfdom and chivalry that vastly altered during that century that changed government, urban centers, trade, size of governance. All of it.
This is the third book by Paul Murray Kendall that I've read in this last year and all of them are superb. But this one is a perfect base for one or another books for the "big 4 or big 5" men who helped to change science, philosophy, education, merchandising and trade- even to some extent medicine and art- in that same 15th century crucible.
This is long and masterfully done, with most of the book in his brother Edward's reign- but there is an entirely separate appendix for the "case of what happened to the two princes in the Tower" and another appendix for Richard III's "personality study".
If you have read Thomas More, Shakespeare, or other learned or famous Richard III historical tales- or at any time wondered the real physical conditions or the psychological motivations for all those myriad rebellions and betrayals- please take the time to read this one. The research and the citing material of every ilk to get to reach the core of this particular man!! And organized completely chronological and yet with appendix proofs!
Woodvilles galore, and Duke of Clarence back-stabbing is merely a pittance of the conflicts going on in this one.
The historical bias of others' is also studied. Remarkable work. This is not the marketing and propaganda of the Tudors. EXCELLENT!
A disclaimer too for the fact that I read this over a period of 2 months and it never appeared on my "currently reading" list for a reason. It's difficult and has a cast of 1000 characters. Most of which are related to each other by blood or noble titles.
Richard III's life, within that sphere- has immense input to those changes. Despite the shortness of his two year reign as King- it was what went before and the economics of serfdom and chivalry that vastly altered during that century that changed government, urban centers, trade, size of governance. All of it.
This is the third book by Paul Murray Kendall that I've read in this last year and all of them are superb. But this one is a perfect base for one or another books for the "big 4 or big 5" men who helped to change science, philosophy, education, merchandising and trade- even to some extent medicine and art- in that same 15th century crucible.
This is long and masterfully done, with most of the book in his brother Edward's reign- but there is an entirely separate appendix for the "case of what happened to the two princes in the Tower" and another appendix for Richard III's "personality study".
If you have read Thomas More, Shakespeare, or other learned or famous Richard III historical tales- or at any time wondered the real physical conditions or the psychological motivations for all those myriad rebellions and betrayals- please take the time to read this one. The research and the citing material of every ilk to get to reach the core of this particular man!! And organized completely chronological and yet with appendix proofs!
Woodvilles galore, and Duke of Clarence back-stabbing is merely a pittance of the conflicts going on in this one.
The historical bias of others' is also studied. Remarkable work. This is not the marketing and propaganda of the Tudors. EXCELLENT!
A disclaimer too for the fact that I read this over a period of 2 months and it never appeared on my "currently reading" list for a reason. It's difficult and has a cast of 1000 characters. Most of which are related to each other by blood or noble titles.
October 25, 2014
Out of all the revisionist biographies of Richard III, this is considered to be the best… so much that I was almost afraid to read it. How could it possibly live up to such a glorious reputation? Well, it does. In fact, it exceeds even the most lofty expectations. I don't think I've ever read a biography that made someone so relatable, so human… to the point where I literally felt like I was reading about someone I knew.
That's why, as another reviewer said, I was dreading the end. Paul Murray Kendall makes you feel so much for Richard that even though you know what to expect, it's tough to swallow when you get there.
Still, it's entirely worth it in my opinion. Not only does Richard deserve the vindication he is given here, but just in terms of biographies in general, it's lovely to have an emotional investment rather than approaching the subject matter from an objective/academic standpoint. Richard was a real person, after all, and Paul Murray Kendall never lets the reader forget that.
To sum it up: BRILLIANT. If you have ANY interest in Richard III, you're cheating yourself if you don't read this book.
That's why, as another reviewer said, I was dreading the end. Paul Murray Kendall makes you feel so much for Richard that even though you know what to expect, it's tough to swallow when you get there.
Still, it's entirely worth it in my opinion. Not only does Richard deserve the vindication he is given here, but just in terms of biographies in general, it's lovely to have an emotional investment rather than approaching the subject matter from an objective/academic standpoint. Richard was a real person, after all, and Paul Murray Kendall never lets the reader forget that.
To sum it up: BRILLIANT. If you have ANY interest in Richard III, you're cheating yourself if you don't read this book.
January 12, 2011
The best thing this book has going for it is that it is one of the only ones I've read to paint Richard III in a completely neutral -- and sometimes positive -- light. Kendall strives to repair Richard's shattered reputation, and theorizes that the youngest brother of King Edward IV was motivated purely by a drive to govern England as he felt his brother should have. This book is DRY. It was difficult to slog through most of the time. But the POV is refreshing. It's nice to read something positive about Richard III, rather than reading the normal party line of Richard the traitor, lecher, and murderer.
February 22, 2011
How awesome would it be if Weir and Kendall could have had a reality show, arguing with each other over whether or not Richard III killed the princes in the tower?
This book is obviously the main source of inspiration for Sunne in Splendor, and probably the bible of the Richard III society. Well researched, well presented, and when he makes guesses on the unknowns, he presents it with sound reasoning as to why he suggests what may have happened, and makes it clear what is known and unknown.
The footnotes, however, drove me crazy, flipping back and forth to see what was going on.
A full biography of a man who is most often only known for one brief moment in time.
March 1, 2014
Whether or not Richard really did kill his nephews, this is an outstanding book to read on the subject. Enlightening and unprejudiced--so long as you remember Kendall is consciously trying to see Richard's good side and cannot prove Richard was not guilty of murder. I may not have a high opinion of Richard, necessarily, but I have a soaring opinion of Mr Kendall as a biographer.
And who knows...?
Maybe Richard was innocent...;)
And who knows...?
Maybe Richard was innocent...;)
February 17, 2016
I read this book for my history class.
It had a lot of detailed information on Richard's life that was interesting and helpful. Part of the reason we read this book was to prepare for a debate on whether or not Richard killed his nephews or not. Some of the arguments (many of them) make sense, but others didn't seem quite as clear or reasonable.
Overall though, this book was interesting and helpful.
It had a lot of detailed information on Richard's life that was interesting and helpful. Part of the reason we read this book was to prepare for a debate on whether or not Richard killed his nephews or not. Some of the arguments (many of them) make sense, but others didn't seem quite as clear or reasonable.
Overall though, this book was interesting and helpful.
April 7, 2010
Excellent biography! Meticulous detail and notes explaining all assertions. Kendall gets a little romantic (in the literary sense) once in a while, but it's not overbearing and mostly lets the reader form their own conclusions. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Richard III and the world he lived in.
October 23, 2009
Excellent biography about one of the most interesting and misunderstood figures in history- dealing with his whole career rather then those last infamous 2 years.
January 9, 2020
A very impressive read here in what is probably the definitive biography of this controversial King.
The author cuts through the myths and Shakespearean legend and paints a very solid portrait of a man with a brief and all uphill rule.
He really details the constant tension and power games around the throne in those years.
The author cuts through the myths and Shakespearean legend and paints a very solid portrait of a man with a brief and all uphill rule.
He really details the constant tension and power games around the throne in those years.
Read
December 3, 2022bring on the historical books on Richard III for my dissertation
October 2, 2021
I have been reading a great deal since finishing my most recent novel. Digging Around the Pandemic: The SwiftPad Extinction I will try to catch up in my reviews of what I have recently read.
I start here because of a personal connection. My last class at the University of Kansas before graduating in 1973 was an evening Shakespeare Seminar (wine and beer were served) led by Dr. Paul Murray Kendall (at his house). It was the most inspiring university class I ever took. Dr. Kendall was funny, a great teacher, he made us talk and write and he drew us into Elizabethan London. He made the plays come alive. Sadly, that class was the last one Dr. Kendall would ever teach, as he died of heart failure in the summer of 1973.
I only recently read his masterpiece, the biography of Richard the Third. It was a treat to "hear" his voice again! Kendall digs into the minutia of Richard's life, and for late 15th Century England. He has sympathy for Richard. What's more, (I know first hand his deep reverence for Shakespeare), he disagrees with many of the Bard's depictions of Richard's character.
For instance, he disagrees with Shakespeare about Richard's marriage to Anne Neville, daughter of the Earl of Warwick, and widow of Edward, the only son of Henry the VI, both of whom was killed in a battle against the York faction led by Richard. In the play, Shakespeare wrote some of his best lines as he seduced Anne "Was ever woman in this humor wooed? Was ever woman in this humor won? I'll have her, but I will not keep her long." In actual fact, says Kendall, Richard and Anne were really in love, (and he did not seduce her in the morgue where her husband and father lay dead from their wounds, as the Ian McKellen production of the play showed). Kendall proves this to my satisfaction with evidence. As to the killing of the young Princes, well Kendall throws up some doubt as to Richard's guilt but does admit it was probable that he ordered it. In any event it is great history. As anyone who had tried to untangle the complexity of the War of the Roses knows, you can spend your life studying it and never reach the bottom. This was not "popular" history, but a strict, if highly readable, (as well as extensively sourced) academic work. If you want a great read about the end of the War of Roses, Kendall's "Richard the Third" maybe the best place to start.
I start here because of a personal connection. My last class at the University of Kansas before graduating in 1973 was an evening Shakespeare Seminar (wine and beer were served) led by Dr. Paul Murray Kendall (at his house). It was the most inspiring university class I ever took. Dr. Kendall was funny, a great teacher, he made us talk and write and he drew us into Elizabethan London. He made the plays come alive. Sadly, that class was the last one Dr. Kendall would ever teach, as he died of heart failure in the summer of 1973.
I only recently read his masterpiece, the biography of Richard the Third. It was a treat to "hear" his voice again! Kendall digs into the minutia of Richard's life, and for late 15th Century England. He has sympathy for Richard. What's more, (I know first hand his deep reverence for Shakespeare), he disagrees with many of the Bard's depictions of Richard's character.
For instance, he disagrees with Shakespeare about Richard's marriage to Anne Neville, daughter of the Earl of Warwick, and widow of Edward, the only son of Henry the VI, both of whom was killed in a battle against the York faction led by Richard. In the play, Shakespeare wrote some of his best lines as he seduced Anne "Was ever woman in this humor wooed? Was ever woman in this humor won? I'll have her, but I will not keep her long." In actual fact, says Kendall, Richard and Anne were really in love, (and he did not seduce her in the morgue where her husband and father lay dead from their wounds, as the Ian McKellen production of the play showed). Kendall proves this to my satisfaction with evidence. As to the killing of the young Princes, well Kendall throws up some doubt as to Richard's guilt but does admit it was probable that he ordered it. In any event it is great history. As anyone who had tried to untangle the complexity of the War of the Roses knows, you can spend your life studying it and never reach the bottom. This was not "popular" history, but a strict, if highly readable, (as well as extensively sourced) academic work. If you want a great read about the end of the War of Roses, Kendall's "Richard the Third" maybe the best place to start.
November 8, 2013
This is the classic biographical account of Richard III that many scholars/historical fiction writers still refer to. While there are many issues with this book, it was overall an engaging narrative. Chief among my complaints, however, was that Kendall was willing to analyze the sources when it came to Richard III, but threw Elizabeth Woodville under the proverbial bus by sticking to the classic view of her "pride" and "haughtiness," at one point even calling her stupid (pg. 254). I don't think she was a saint any more than I think Richard was, but I think that Kendall's view could be a bit myopic. Also, at times, Kendall's narrative diverged into the imaginary, especially for the Battle of Bosworth, where he went into Richard's head and constructed what he believed the King must have been thinking.
However, all of these issues aside, I was glad I picked up this biography. I think it's a fantastic starting point for a comprehensive biography of Richard, England's most contentious monarch.
However, all of these issues aside, I was glad I picked up this biography. I think it's a fantastic starting point for a comprehensive biography of Richard, England's most contentious monarch.
January 1, 2014
The only reason I couldn't give this five stars is because the author so obviously adores Richard. He tends to colorize events a little bit, and the subject is nonfiction so I can't totally condone that. However, it doesn't hurt the reading experience at all. He paints a beautiful picture of the time period, better than many authors, has done exhaustive research and presents wonderful and unusual treatment of his source material by examining its merits very closely within the actual body of the book. My adrenaline was running high and I almost couldn't catch my breath when I got to Bosworth. A great read, I'd recommend it extremely. Kendall has some pitfalls regarding his unwarranted overfamiliarity with Richard, but it's not enough to hurt the nonfiction aspect unless you are completely dumb. It's a very compelling, informative and fun read. Wonderfully good treatment of Edward IV, too, who obviously must be covered well in a biography of Richard.
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