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Edward IV It is England in 1483 and the people of the country are witnessing three reigns of three different kings, the first recorded execution at the Tower of London and a suspected murder has occurred when the Princes in the Tower mysteriously disappear!  Edward V Richard III For the monarchy in England in this year, it would experience a dramatic change. On 9th April, King Edward IV passed away aged only forty- two years. This could have been a result of falling ill from a disease such as pneumonia or typhoid but it could equally be a result of his unhealthy lifestyle. Before his death he had become inactive and stouter as a pose to his young active and healthy self that he was when he first won the throne from Henry VI. After his premature death, Edward was succeeded by his twelve year old son- also called Edward. The late Edward's will (which has not survived) stated that his brother, Richard, would be made Lord Protecter for his nephew, the new king Edward....

Throughout history both writers and actors have been highly influenced various Tudor propagandists and playwrights, such as William Shakespeare, to portray the final Plantagenet king- Richard III as an evil villain and cruel and uncaring uncle. As a result the generations after Richard's defeat, at the Battle of Bosworth, have grown up with the belief that Richard was a nasty, manipulative man who wrangled his way to the throne of England. But was he really as bad as he is describe?  To start off with, Tudor playwright William Shakespeare (1564- 1616) and Medieval historian John Rous (1411- 1491) both describe Richard as an ugly being. Here is some of what they have to say about the Medieval monarch: William Shakespeare: "A poisonous bunch- backed toad, a limping hunch- back with a withered arm." John Rous: "Richard was retained within his mother's womb for two years and emerging with teeth and hair to his shoulders. He was of small stature, with a sho...