Assess the accuracy of the view that Richard of Gloucester's Essay

Assess the accuracy of the view that Richard of Gloucester's usurpation of power in 1483 is best explained by his fear of the Woodvilles - Essay Example Richard of Gloucester's usurpation of power in 1483 is best explained by his fear of the Woodvilles. According to Wendy Moorhen , Richard of Gloucester, the Lord Protector, ordered the execution of his brother’s best friend and counselor, Hastings. Within a few days, Richard of Gloucester ascended the throne, in 1483. Richard of Gloucester’s executions made him vulnerable to criticisms from many quarters. With the executions, Richard of Gloucester’s detractors were given many reasons to vilify Richard of Gloucester in many occasions. With the executions, Richard of Gloucester made loud, direct, and plain his plan to be the next king. It is but natural of persons to do their best to remove all obstacles to their objective or goal. Richard of Gloucester was serious in his attempt to take the throne, which was vacated by his brother Kind Edward IV. Richard of Gloucester was not bothered by the fact that his nephew, King Edward V was supposed to be the person who was destined to replace King Edward IV. in the same manner, the Woodvilles felt that Richard of Gloucester was not the man authorized to rise to the throne of England. The Woodvilles preferred that King Edward V rise to the rise to replace King Edward IV. The Woodwillves would go out of their way to ensure that only King Edward V would occupy the vacated King’s throne. ... e, Richard of Gloucester, who is now King Richard III, goes out of his way to prevent the moves of William Hastings to prevent King Richard III from continuing his reign as the replacement of King Edward IV. This is the reason why Richard of Gloucester did not have second thoughts when he ordered the execution of William Hastings on the ground of being a threat to the King Richard III throne. On the other hand, Queen Elizabeth had to enter into alliance with the Woodvilles to support her dream that her son, King Edward V take over the throne as early as possible. The Woodvilles did have a strong alliance with the Queen Elizabeth. In response, Richard of Gloucester, now King Richard III, gathered all his forces to eradicate the Woodvilles for being a threat to King Richard III’s throne. In terms of bothering intentions, Richard of Gloucester ordered the execution of his brother’s good friend, William Hastings. Richard of Gloucester’s brother was the deceased King Edward IV. Hastings served under King Edward’s rule under several positions. William Hastings served as politician, diplomat, solider, lord, and landowner. William Hastings served King Edward IV, a young king still reeling from the death of his father, who died in Wakefield. On 17 April 1483, Hastings attended King Edward IV’s obsequies in Westmister Abbey when his body was buried in the magnificent Chapel of St. George, in Windsor. William Hastings felt the sorrow of losing one’s friend and master, made more painful since King Edwar IV was younger than William Hastings. William Hastings was instrumental preventing the Woodvilles from taking the throne. Hastings communicated with Richard of Gloucester to secure the King and stop the dethroning activities of King Edward IV’s maternal uncle, Rivers.