Richard III (1452-1485) was king of England from 1483 to 1485. Richard’s reign brought on the revolt that ended the Wars of the Roses. These wars were fought between the two branches of the royal family—the House of Lancaster and the House of York. Richard belonged to the House of York.
Richard was born in Northamptonshire, England. He was a son of Richard, Duke of York. In 1461, young Richard’s oldest brother became King Edward IV. Richard was made Duke of Gloucester the same year.
Years later, in 1483, Edward IV died, and his elder son became King Edward V at the age of 12. The government was put in the care of Richard, who was named protector of the realm. The Woodvilles, the family of the young king’s mother, attempted to seize power. In crushing their conspiracy, Richard sought to become king himself. He was crowned early in July 1483, after Parliament had declared him king. Edward V and his younger brother Richard were put in the Tower of London. Some scholars believe that King Richard had the boys killed. But no proof of such a crime exists.
Richard tried to govern well, but he lacked widespread support. Powerful Yorkist and Lancastrian nobles plotted against him. With their help, Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, a kinsman of the House of Lancaster, invaded England from his exile in France. His forces won the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, killing Richard. Henry Tudor became king as Henry VII. In 2012, archaeologists discovered Richard’s remains in Leicester not far from Bosworth Field. In 2015, his remains were reburied in a royal tomb at Leicester Cathedral. 
See also Richard III.
