Richard III in the North by M J Trow Pen & Sword

Did Richard III murder the princes in the Tower? Was he really the wicked hunchback which Shakespeare made famous? Since King Richard III's bones were found in a carpark in an amazing story, there has been more interest in him than ever.

This book sweeps along like a novel, except for the slow beginning. MJ Trow mounts a commendable defence of this much maligned King, and studies his relationship with the North. Even when he was only 19, his brother, King Edward IV gave him considerable power and estates in the lands above the Trent, so he really had a mini-kingdom there until he became King himself. Richard was a good King, who introduced the Council of the North, made wise laws, and employed huge numbers of people in the North. He was very much loved by the people of the North, and this is where his heart lay, so his relationship with the North is worthy of a book.

Trow is very much on Richard's side, and goes through the evidence for and against whether he was guilty of the murders of the princes (and others) clearly, and he goes through it step-by-step with an extra Appendix at the end, dealing with each alleged murder in turn. It also puts paid to many myths about Richard. He was deeply religious, so I am inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, but the accusation that Edward IV's marriage was illegitimate because of an alleged marriage to Eleanor Talbot still seems rather sudden, and extremely beneficial to Richard's road to power. 

Reading Chris Skidmore's book first is helpful. Luckily, I read this not long ago. It is more academic and dry than this one, and quite convincing as well.

This was a riveting addition to Ricardian history, well-worth reading. I really enjoyed it. If only I could see Richard's tomb!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.