The History of King Richard III

The History of King Richard III Synopsis

This is the only edition in print of a unique critical biography by the author of Utopia. Understood to be the inspiration for Shakespeare's Richard III, it has been newly edited to make it accessible to modern readers;Richard III's reputation stands as one of the most evil men in history - a manipulating and murderous man who would stop at nothing to become king. Much of what modern scholarship knows of him stems from Thomas More's critical biography, which itself proved the inspiration for Shakespeare's play.;Focusing on the final years of Richard III's life, Sir Thomas More describes a man captivated - and corrupted - by the thrill of power. He reveals how he twisted God's laws to justify his actions, making even his most notorious crime - the imprisonment and subsequent murder of his nephews in the Tower - acceptable for his cause. The result is the portrayal of a truly monstrous king, and a fascinating insight into the mind of Sir Thomas More, and his motivations behind the 'blackening' of Richard III's name.;'Here is a born raconteur, convincing us that he has been there and seen for himself and now shares with us his insights' - from the Foreword by Sister Wendy Beckett