Explain why Richard III’s position as King was insecure in 1484.

Answers should include a range (3-4) of reasons as to why Richard’s grip on the throne weakened in 1484. This was partly due to a series of specific events:

• the death of his young son (and only heir)

• the steady flow of disaffected Yorkists across the Channel to join Henry Tudor (this can be linked to the adverse effects of Richard’s favouring of northern supporters, alienating the southern nobility – or to the personal contribution of John Morton)

• the decision to continue the war against Scotland, leading to defeat at Lochmaben and a strain on royal finances.

These reasons would in themselves provide a sufficient range of reasons but it is likely that many answers will refer to the consequences of Richard’s actions in 1483, when he usurped the throne and came under suspicion of murdering the Princes in the Tower. There is no room at all, of course, for material relating to the invasion of 1485 and the events leading to the battle at Bosworth.

To reach higher levels, students will need to show the inter-relationship of the reasons given, for example they might show the links between short-term and long-term factors; or awareness of the precarious situation Richard inherited and the possibility that the deterioration in his position was more due to bad luck than bad kingship.

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