in The True Tragedy of Richard the Third — Anonymous
Metadata
Play
The True Tragedy of Richard the Third
Author
Anonymous
Year (catalogued)
1594
First performance
1591
Decade
1590s
Genre
Tragedy; History
Play type
Adult Professional
Company
Queen Elizabeth's Men
Speech prefix(es)
For. | Forest.
Words
328
Characters
1638
Typicality
0.43 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A10730
BritDrama no.
839
Cluster
Cluster 11 — Tosspots & tavern railers
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
Here sir. I warrant you sir, they are such pitiless villains, that all London cannot match them for their villainy, one of their names is Will Sluter, yet the most partly calls him black Will, the other is Jack Denten, two murderous villains that are re solute. These be they that I told you of. Why then I think this master Terrell, that as they fit at supper there should be two dags ready charged, and so sud deinly to shoot them both through. Why this is very good, but stand aside, for here comes the Princes, isle bring you word when the deed is done. My Lord, it was one that was appointed by the King oh be and aid to sir Thomas Brokenbury. I would have said my Lord your uncle the Protector. No my Lord, he hath but charge for a night or two. One my Lord is called Jack Denten, the other is called Will Slawter. But why starts your grace? I my Lord, if it please your brother & you to walk up. I will attend upon your grace. Sirs stay you two here, and when they are a sleep isle call you up. But ho sirs, come softly, for now they are at rest. I hear they sleep, and sleep sweet Princes, never wake no more, for you have seen the last light in this world. Why go and bury them at the heap of stones at the stair foot I go and tell master Terrell that the deed is done. I sir, a bloody deed we have performed. I have conveyed them to the stairs foot among a heap of stones, and anon isle carry them where they shall be no more found again, nor all the chronicles shall never make mentio ̄ what shall become of them: yet good master Terrell, tell the King my name, that he may but reward me with a kingly thanks. Ho Will and Jack.
Plot summary
Plot — The True Tragedy of Richard the Third
Twenty-two years ago, the House of York seized the throne from Henry VI. Since then, RiéHard has sought to clear his path to the crown by murdering the deposed M@firy and his own brother, @IMFenee. The dying BGWardli] tries to make peace between Lord Hastings and Marquess Dorsét, and appoints Richard as Lord Protector during his son’s minority. As the new King travels to London for his coronation, Richard allies himself with his former enemy, BUCKingham. and Dorset and other noblemen flee the kingdom. Travelling to London with the new King, RIVERS is left behind to negotiate with Richard and Buckingham. Richard arranges to have him locked in his room at the inn where he is staying, and arrests him; he then catches up with the King and arrests the rest of the Queen’s family, despite the King’s protests. The QG@8H and her other children take sanctuary, but the Duke of WGrk is removed to the Tower to keep the King ===== PAGE 490 ===== company. Richard has the arrested men executed without trial. The King and York are declared bastards and the crown offered to Richard. Edward IV’s death is bad news for Mistress SHGFé, too: she loses all her influence at court and has to face the prospect of an enemy in power. Accused of plotting with her to bewitch the King and Buckingham with a view to seizing power, Lord Hastings is arrested and executed. Mistress Shore’s property is confiscated and Londoners ordered not to give her food or shelter; even those she helped in earlier times are afraid to help her now. Richard has the two princes smothered in the Tower. Buckingham turns against him and conspires with the Earl of Ri€him6nd, but is betrayed by a servant and executed, Richard begins to feel his conscience at work. He allows Lord Staml@y to leave the court, so long as he leaves his son G@@6rge as a hostage; he also seeks to secure his position by marrying the Queen Mother’s eldest daughter. Richmond lands, and noblemen join his forces. The two armies join battle at Bosworth, and, despite superior troop numbers, Richard is killed. Richmond is proclaimed King Henry VII and marries Bad@y§Blizabeth; and it emerges that George Stanley’s life has been spared by the men ordered to murder him. The Tudor dynasty begins.