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)
Gray.
Words
378
Characters
1940
Typicality
0.31 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP id
A10730
BritDrama no.
839
Cluster
Cluster 17 — Intriguers & schemers
Important excerpts
No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).
Full speech
We have the Prince in charge, therefore we need not care. Why take you not the Duke of Buckingham for the Kings friend? Why then my Lord Rivers, I think it is convenient that we leave you here behind us at Northamton, for conference with them, and if you hear their pretence be good towards the King, you may in Gods name make return & come with them, but if not, leave them and come to us with speed. For my sister the Queen hath willed that we should dismiss our company, and the King himself hath agreed to it, therefore we must needs obey. Worthily well spoken of your princely Majesty, Which no doubt shows a kinglike resolution. Alas sir Richard, how can I be merry when we have so great a charge of his grace: and again this makes me to grieve the more, because we cannot hear from Earl Rivers, which makes me think the Protector and he have be at some words. The sweet joyce of such a grape would comfort a man were he half dead, and the sweet words of such a Prince would make men careless of mishaps, how dangerous soever. Sir Richard Hapc, I shall hardly show the Protector or the Duke of Buckingham any merry countenance, considering how hardly I have be used by them both, but yet for love to my prince I will bridle my affectio ̄ , but in good time they come. My Lord, I scarce touched you, I hope it be no offence. But whereas we are atacht as traitors to his grace, and govern him without your authority, why we have authority from the mother Queen. And for the delivery of the money to the Scots, it was done by a general consent of you all, and that I have your hands to show for my discharge, therefore your arrest & attachment is not lawful: & yet as lawful as your quarrel is right. Nay let not your grace be dismayed for our imprisonme ̄ to, but I would we could warrant your grace from harm, & so we humbly take our leaves of your grace, hoping that ere long we shall answer by law to the shame & disgrace of you all.
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.