Richard was most agreeable and ingratiating in his manners, and where he was best known he was most liked.[[31]] He formed friendships which endured the test of time. Those who knew and loved him in boyhood fought by his side on the fatal field at Bosworth.[[32]] Richard III. was the only one of our kings who made a true love match. His cousin Anne, the playmate of his childhood, was his first love. United before they were twenty, they passed ten years of happy married life together at Middleham. Their love is proved by their constant companionship. When the Protector was surrounded by perils and difficulties, his wife hurried up to London to share them with him. Together they were crowned, together they sat at public banquets, made progresses and walked in royal processions. Together they mourned over the death of their beloved child, and sought comfort in mutual sympathy. Richard only survived his wife's death for five short months; having shared with her their joys and sorrows for fourteen years.
Contemporary sovereigns
The true picture of our last Plantagenet King is not unpleasant to look upon, when the accumulated garbage and filth of centuries of calumny have been cleared off its surface.
CONTEMPORARY SOVEREIGNS
Scotland James III. 1460-1488
France Anne of Beaujeu (Regent for 1483
Charles VIII.)
Brittany Francis II. 1458-1488
Low Countries Mary and Maximilian 1477-1493
Germany Emperor Frederick III. 1440-1493
Denmark, Sweden, Hans 1481-1513
and Norway
Bohemia Vladislaus 1471-1510
Hungary Matthias Corvinus 1458-1490
Poland Casimir IV. 1445-1492
Castille Isabella 1474-1504
Aragon Ferdinand 1479-1516
Portugal Joam II. 1481-1495
Naples Ferdinand of Aragon 1458-1494
Pope Sixtus IV. (delle Rovere) 1471-1484
" Innocent VIII. (Cibo) 1484-1492
Tuscany Lorenzo de' Medici 1469-1492
Milan Gian Galeazzo Sforza 1476-1494
Grand Seigneur Bayazid II. 1481-1512
[[1]] Henry Tudor was not, and never had been, Earl of Richmond. His father had been deprived by attainder and outlawry. Richard Duke of Gloucester was created Earl of Richmond by King Edward IV., and when Richard succeeded, the title merged in the crown.
[[2]] Sir Reginald Bray was made a K.B. at Henry's coronation, and afterwards a Knight of the Garter. He was an architect, and has the credit of having finished St. George's Chapel at Windsor and built Henry VII.'s Chapel at Westminster.
[[3]] Fox was a priestly conspirator who had been acting as one of Morton's agents. He was rewarded with the Bishopric of Winchester.
[[4]] Henry's standard-bearer.