William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Richard III William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is probably the most famous playwright in the history of theatre. His plays have been translated into numerous languages and have been both performed and transformed into films the whole world over.

However, not much is known about his life, as no personal records exist. This is not unusual for a writer who lived at that time. The information that does exist comes from birth, baptism and marriage certificates, court records and wills. Shakespeare was bom into a middle class family in the market town of Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. This area is in the centre of England, south of Birmingham, and is famous for its artisans and fruit growers. Shakespeare was baptised in Holy Trinity Church on 26 April 1564 but was probably born several days before that. This is however, the earliest record of his life.

His father, John Shakespeare, was a leather merchant and glove maker. He must have been an important man as by 1568 he was the mayor of the town.

John married Mary Arden in 1557 and William was the third of their eight children. William learned to read and write at the local primary school and then probably continued his studies at grammar school where he learned Latin, history, logic and rhetoric.

The second documented event in William's life is his marriage to Anne Hathaway. They married in November 1582. His wife was eight years older than William when they married. They had a daughter, Susanna, who was born in May 1583 and twins, Hamnet and Judith, who were born in 1585. Unfortunately Hamnet died several years later when he was eleven.

Shakespeare doesn't appear again in any official records until 1592 and no one really knows what he did during those seven years.

Between 1585 and 1613 Shakespeare wrote thirty-seven plays. We can date Richard III to between 1591 and 1592, and was first performed by a theatre company called Lord Strange's Men.

By 1594, he was acting and writing for the Lord Chamberlain's Men and was also one of their shareholders. The Lord Chamberlain's Men became the most important dramatic company in England and from 1603 enjoyed the patronage of James I.

In 1597 William and his friends built a new theatre in Southwark on the south bank of the Thames in London. They called it the Globe Theatre and it was one of the most important theatres in the area. The open-air, octagonal amphitheatre had three levels and held up to 3,000 people. It was burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII. William became a rich man and so he started to invest some of his money at home in Stratford. In 1597 he bought the second largest house in Stratford, called New Place, for £60. This was the new family home. Then in 1602 he bought a piece of land and later some cottages. He then retired to Stratford with his family where he lived the life of a local businessman.

Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616 and was buried in Holy Trinity Church on 25 April. Chapter One

The Wars of the Roses 1 were over. At the Battle of Tewkesbury 2 3 the House of York, the white rose, defeated the House of Lancaster, the red rose. King Henry VI was dead and Edward IV was the new King of England. Edward and the House of York celebrated long into the night.

However, one member of Edward’s family, his brother Richard the Duke of Gloucester, didn’t join in with the celebrations. He was happier when the two houses were at war with one another and he didn’t know what to do with himself now that England was at peace. He was a very clever and cunning man but was ugly and a hunchback. He was determined to be powerful one day. Here he was now, waiting alone, by the Tower of London. He spoke,

‘Now is the winter of our discontent. 4 The war is over, my brother the king is happy but I, so ugly that dogs bark at me in the street, am not. I’m not interested in having fun, I’m interested in planning so that one day I will be the King of England. But who’s that coming now?’

At that moment, some guards, led by Brakenbury, the Keeper of the Tower, arrived with his other brother, George, the Duke of Clarence. They were taking him to the Tower.

'Brother, what on earth is going on? 5 Why are these men bringing you here?’ asked Richard.

Richard knew exactly what was going on. He had told Edward about a prophecy that he had invented. He had told him that the name of the murderer of his sons would begin with the letter ‘G’. His brother, the Duke of Clarence, was called George. Richard wanted his brothers not to trust one another. This was all part of his evil plan.

‘Our brother, concerned for my safety, ordered them to bring me to the Tower,’ answered Clarence sarcastically.

‘For what reason?’ demanded Richard.

‘Because my name is George,’ said Clarence simply.

‘It’s not the king, our brother, who has sent you here. This sounds like the work of his wife, Queen Elizabeth. Don’t you remember? She sent Lord Hastings here recently and today, he’s going to be freed. We’re not safe, Clarence, we’re not safe.’

‘It was Mistress Shore, the King’s friend who got him out of the Tower. All she had to do was ask our brother and ten minutes later he was free,’ said Clarence.

‘The country is ruled by women, Queen Elizabeth and Mistress Shore,’ agreed Richard.

Mistress Shore loved Lord Hastings. Unfortunately, or in this case, fortunately she also loved King Edward. ‘Please forgive me your graces but his majesty said that no one must speak in any circumstances with his brother Clarence,’ said Brakenbury.

‘We are the Queen’s subjects and must obey,’ said Richard ironically. His majesty is really King Edward himself. ‘Brother, farewell. I will go to our brother and beg him to free you. I’ll even call his wife ‘sister’ if that helps you. But for now, try to be patient.’

'I will,’ cried Clarence, ‘farewell.’

Clarence, Brakenbury and the guards left. Richard was on his own again. He thought aloud. ‘Poor, simple Clarence, I do love him. He doesn’t realise that he’ll never return from the Tower and that soon I’ll send his soul to heaven.6 But who comes now but Lord Hastings?

‘Good day, my lord,’ announced Hastings.

‘And also to you my good lord Chamberlain. Welcome home. How on earth did you survive your imprisonment in the Tower?’ Richard asked.

‘With patience, noble lord, as all prisoners have to,’ replied Hastings.

‘I hope that Clarence can do the same. But what is the news?’

‘The King is very ill and his doctors are extremely worried.’

'This is very bad news indeed Hastings. His lifestyle is catching up with him. 7 Is he in bed?’

‘He is,’ replied Hastings.

‘Go on to him and I’ll follow you,’ Richard said as Hastings prepared to leave. Richard hoped that the King would soon die but not before he signed Clarence’s death warrant. He decided to speak with the King as soon as possible.

‘If I’m lucky Clarence only has one more day to live. The King will then die and I’ll marry the Earl Warwick’s youngest daughter, Lady Anne, even though 1 killed her husband Edward, and her father- in-law. But I mustn’t count my chickens before they are hatched, 8 Clarence is still very much alive and the King is still on his throne.’

Lady Anne, in mourning, 9 entered with her servants who were carrying the coffin of the dead King Henry VI.

‘Set the coffin down men,’ she instructed them. The men were tired and needed a moment’s rest.

Lady Anne was in mourning for her father-in-law, King Henry VI, her husband and for the entire House of Lancaster. She cursed 10 the man and the family that did these things to her. ‘To Chertsey!’,11 12 she said ‘Pick the coffin up again.’

'No, leave it where it is,’ thundered Richard.

‘What kind of black magician speaks to my servants like that at a time like this?’ asked Anne.

‘Villains, 11 put the coffin down or I’ll kill the man who disobeys me,’ demanded Richard.

‘My lord, please stand back and let the coffin pass,’ said one of the servants.

‘Unmannered dog,13 do as I say,’ shouted Richard.

The servants put the coffin down again and Lady Anne spoke to them.

‘Are you all afraid? I can’t really blame you as you are only human and men will always be frightened of the devil.’

‘Go away you evil man!’ she shouted at Richard. ‘Don’t bother us now. You’ve turned our happy earth into your hell by your terrible deeds. Look at what you did to King Henry.’

‘Lady, please be more kind,’ protested Richard. ‘Stop saying that I killed him.’

‘Then why isn’t he still alive,’ she answered.

‘1 didn’t kill your husband,’ said Richard.

‘You’re lying. Queen Margaret herself saw your sword covered in his blood. At least admit that you killed King Henry,’ said Anne.

‘Yes I did,’ Richard reluctantly admitted. ‘But it was your beauty that made me do it.’

‘How could you do it? He was such a good man,’ said Anne.

‘In that case he’ll have no problems in entering the kingdom of heaven,’ said Richard.

‘A place that you will never see,’ Anne said coldly. ‘The only place that you’ll ever see is hell.’

‘Well there is one other place, 1 hope,’ said Richard.

‘Where?’ asked Anne. ‘Some dungeon?’

‘Your house,’ said Richard. ‘I want to be your husband.’

‘Are you quite mad?’ said Anne. T want revenge on the man that did this to me.’

‘How can you want revenge on a man that loves you?’ asked Richard. ‘Any woman would want revenge on the man that killed her husband,’ Lady Anne replied.

'I only did it to find you a better husband,’ Richard answered.

‘There isn’t anyone better than him, name him!’ demanded Anne.

‘Plantagenet!’14

‘That was his name.’

'The same name but a different and better man.’

‘Where is he?’ Lady Anne asked.

‘Here,’ said Richard pointing to himself.

Lady Anne spat at Richard and so he said,‘If you won’t forgive me, then kill me.’ He gave her his sword but she couldn’t kill him. He then gave her his ring which she reluctantly accepted.

‘Go home and leave me to take this corpse to Chertsey,’ he asked.

Lady Anne left and Richard ordered the men to take the coffin away. Chapter two

At the palace, the King was getting more ill and his Queen was getting more MfT worried. She was with her brother, Lord Rivers and her sons, Grey and Marquis Dorset.

‘Be patient, madam; the King will soon recover,’ said Rivers.

‘And if he doesn’t? What will happen to me then?’ the Queen replied.

‘You’ve got a son who will comfort you when the King is gone,’ Rivers promised.

‘But he’s too young. Richard of Gloucester will be named Protector 18 until he’s old enough,’ the Queen said.

‘Is Richard definitely going to be named Protector?’ asked Rivers.

‘I think so yes,’ replied the Queen, ‘but it’s not been confirmed yet.’

The Queen was joined by Richard, the Lords of Buckingham and Derby,

Lord Hastings and by the late Queen, Margaret. Richard blamed the Queen for imprisoning Clarence and Hastings. She said that it wasn’t her fault.

‘My lord of Gloucester, I’ve had to put up with your rude comments for far too long, I’m going to tell my husband about what you said. I’ve had enough of being so badly treated by you.’

‘Are you threatening me?’ demanded Richard, ‘Go ahead and tell him or I’ll tell him myself. Maybe he’ll send me to the Tower as well.’

‘You devil. You killed my husband Henry in the Tower and then Edward, my son, at Tewkesbury,’ said Margaret.

‘At least I was fighting for the House of York. You and your husband Grey fought for Lancaster. And you, Rivers...’ declared Richard.

‘My lord of Gloucester, we were only supporting our King. We’d do the same thing if you were King,’ said Rivers.

‘I’d rather work in a shop than be king.’

‘Go to hell, you evil man. You’re all here to take what’s mine. You owe me a husband and a son,’ said Margaret to Richard. ‘And you owe me 19 a kingdom,’ she said to the Queen.

Richard reminded them all that Margaret had done terrible things in her past. She killed a boy, the young Duke of York.

‘It was the most terrible deed to kill that boy,’ said Hastings.

Everyone became angry with Margaret. They forgot that they were worried about Richard becoming Protector. They all shouted at Margaret who cursed them and warned them about Richard.

‘So, you’re all angry with me now, are you?’ said Margaret. ‘Do you think that I care about what happened to that boy? I’ve lost my husband and son and so will you, too. Your son, Prince Edward, is the Prince of Wales, my son Edward was the Prince of Wales,’ Margaret said to the Queen. ‘You are Queen, I was Queen and I hope that you live a long life and watch your son die as well.’

‘How charming, you old hag, ’ 20 said Richard.

‘Be quiet you dog!’ replied Margaret. ‘Even worse will happen to you.’

Everyone except Richard was very worried by Margaret’s curses. They called her mad but she didn’t stop.

‘One day you’ll want me to make a curse for you against Richard,’ said Margaret to the Queen. ‘Buckingham, beware of that dog,’ said Margaret to Lord Buckingham.

The Tragedy of Richard III

‘What did she say?’ asked Richard.

‘Nothing that I’m interested in,’ said Buckingham.

‘Are you ignoring my advice Lord Buckingham? You’ll remember it one day,’ said Margaret.

Catesby came in to tell them that the King wanted to see them. Everyone left except for Richard who waited for Clarence’s executioners to arrive.

‘Are you ready to do the deed, my fine men?’ he asked.

‘We are, my lord, and are here for the warrant,’ replied the first executioner.

Richard gave them the warrant for Clarence’s death and said, ‘When you’ve finished, meet me at my house in Crosby Place. Make the execution quick and whatever you do, don’t speak to Clarence’.

‘Fear not, my lord, we won’t chatter with him. We’ve come to use our hands, and not our tongues.’

‘I like you, lads.21 Now go and do what you have to do,’ said Richard.

Clarence, imprisoned in the Tower, spoke with Brakenbury, his keeper. He told him about the nightmares he had had the night before. He was having a crisis of conscience and felt guilty about the things he had done. 'I dreamt that I was on board a ship, going to Burgundy, with my brother Gloucester. Richard slipped and pushed me into the sea. 1 thought about how painful it is to drown and what a terrible noise the water made in my ears. I saw a thousand shipwrecks and a thousand skulls that fishes ate. I then dreamt about the Battle of Tewkesbury and that I killed Henry VI. Please stay with me Brackenbury while I sleep,’ asked Clarence.

‘I will, my lord. God give your grace good rest,’ said Brakenbury.

The two executioners arrived at the Tower and showed the warrant to Brakenbury who read it.

‘I am instructed to deliver the Duke of Clarence to you. I don’t understand why but here are the keys. You’ll find him in there asleep,’ said Brakenbury.

Brakenbury left the two executioners to their work.

‘Shall I stab him while he’s asleep?’ asked the first executioner,

‘No, let’s wake him up first. Are you frightened?’ asked the second executioner.

‘No, we’ve got a warrant. I’m not afraid of anything apart from the day of judgment22 and that’s something which no warrant can defend us against.’

The executioners waited until Clarence woke up.

‘Who are you?’ asked Clarence.

‘We have come to, to, to...’

‘To murder me?’ asked Clarence.

‘Yes, my lord.’

‘You don’t even have the strength to tell me so you can’t possibly have the strength to do it. Go to my brother Gloucester who will give you a reward for saving me,’ said Clarence.

T’m afraid you’re wrong, your brother Gloucester hates you. It was him that sent us to kill you,’ said the first executioner.

‘I don’t believe you,’ said Clarence. ‘He told me that he would ask the King to free me.’

‘He is freeing you, my lord, you’re going to heaven,’ said the first executioner. ‘Make your peace with God, you’re about to die.’

‘You can’t do it, I can see that you don’t want to kill me,’ said Clarence.

‘What should we do?’ asked the second executioner. ‘Don’t do it,’ said Clarence.

‘I’ve had enough of this,’ said the first executioner, who stabbed Clarence and took him into the next room.

'A bloody deed, and not very well done. I feel like Pontius Pilate 23 washing his hands,’ said the second executioner.

‘Why aren’t you helping me?’ asked the first. ‘I’ll tell Gloucester about how useless you are.’

‘I hope he finds out that I wanted to save his brother. Take the money, I don’t want anything to do with this,’ said the second.

'I will and I’ll hide this body in some hole until the burial is prepared. Get out of here you coward!’24 Chapter three

A few days later, the King summoned his Queen, Hastings, Rivers, Dorset and Buckingham to see him. He knew that he was about to die and so he wanted them all to make peace with one another before he passed away. Rivers and Hastings were first, followed by the Queen and then Buckingham. Everyone was sincere except for Buckingham who knew that he was already plotting with Gloucester. The King however didn’t notice his insincerity.

‘The only person missing here now is my brother Gloucester,’ said the King.

As if by magic, Richard immediately appeared.

‘Good morning to my sovereign King and Queen,’ said Gloucester.

‘It’s a wonderful morning my brother. We have done so many good things today. Everyone has made their peace,’25 said the King. ‘Now it’s your turn.’

Gloucester made a long and moving speech. He too promised to make peace with everyone.

‘An excellent idea, my brother. If I’ve done anything wrong to anyone here

The Tragedy of Richard III

I apologise, I want everyone to know that I have no bad feelings towards anyone in this country,’ said Richard.

The Queen, noticing that her husband was in such a good mood, decided to ask him to free his brother Clarence.

‘In honour of this wonderful day, please let poor Clarence go,’ begged the Queen.

‘Are you making fun of me, madam?’ Richard said to the Queen. ‘We all know that Clarence is already dead,’ said Richard in a rage.

‘We don’t know anything of the sort,’ said Rivers.

‘What kind of world do we live in?’ said the Queen.

‘Is Clarence dead? But I changed my mind and sent an order to free him,’ said the King.

‘Your first order killed him,’ replied Richard, ‘Your second order didn’t get there in time.’

The King was very sad. Stanley, the Earl of Derby, arrived in court to ask for the pardon of one of his servants. The King who didn’t even pardon his own brother was furious at the request. He remembered all the good deeds that Clarence did and cried. He remembered that Clarence saved his life at Tewkesbury. ‘No one tried to save him,’ said the King. ‘Hastings take me to my room. O poor Clarence.’

Richard also pretended to be in mourning but he was happy that his plan was working so well. He went with the King to comfort him.

Clarence’s children, a boy and a girl, wanted to know what had happened to their father. Their grandmother, the Duchess of York, pretended that he was still alive.

‘My children, you’re making a mistake. I’m sad because the king is ill not because your father is dead,’ said the Duchess.

‘Then he really must be dead,’ said the boy. ‘It’s the King’s fault, my good uncle Gloucester told us that the Queen made the king put our father in prison.’

The Duchess of York was not happy that the children believed that Gloucester was such a good man and that the King was not. They were interrupted by the Queen who arrived in tears.

‘Edward, your son, our king is dead,’ screamed the Queen.

The Queen and the Duchess of York were both very sad. So were the children. The Duchess had now lost two of her sons, Edward and Clarence, in a few days. Only Richard remained. Richard arrived with Buckingham and pretended to also be in mourning for his brother. Buckingham suggested that the young prince Edward was brought to London for his coronation. The young prince was in Ludlow26 and there was a meeting to decide who would go to collect him.

Richard was very pleased with Buckingham’s plan and complimented him. It was now obvious that the two men were working together.

All was not well however in the kingdom. The people were concerned that the old King was dead and that the young prince was too young to become king.

‘A land that is governed by a child hasn’t got any future,’ said one citizen.

‘But with him at least we’ve got a hope of good government,’ said another.

The people were very concerned that Richard could become king and they feared him.

The people were not the only ones who were afraid, the Queen and the Duchess of York couldn’t wait to see young Edward.

T hope that he has grown bigger since 1 last saw him,’ said the Duchess.

‘They say that he’s still quite small,’ said the Queen.

They also talked about Richard’s birth many years ago.

‘They say that my uncle was so big he could eat bread as soon as he was born,’ said the young Duke of York.

‘Who told you that?’ said the Duchess.

‘My nurse,’ replied the Duke of York.

‘You mustn’t say things like that,’ said the Queen. ‘Walls have ears.’27

Lord Dorset entered with some bad news. Lord Rivers and Lord Grey had been arrested and sent to Pomfret Castle.28

‘On whose orders?’ demanded the Duchess.

‘The Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham,’ replied Lord Dorset.

‘For what reason,’ asked the Duchess.

T don’t know,’ said Lord Dorset.

The Queen was very worried for her family and decided to take sanctuary 29 in Westminster Cathedral. She could see that Richard and Buckingham were starting to take control. The Duchess and the young Duke of York went with her.

Prince Edward arrived in London and Richard and Buckingham went to meet him. He was very tired after his long journey from Ludlow and wasn’t very happy about what had happened to his other uncles. He didn’t believe Richard when he told him that his two other uncles were treacherous. 30 Prince Edward also wondered why his mother and brother hadn’t come to see him.

T expected to see my mother and my brother. And where on earth is that idiot Hastings? He could at least tell me if they are coming or not.’

Hastings arrived and was ridiculed by Buckingham for being late.

‘And finally here he is, the sweating31 lord,’ said Buckingham.

‘Welcome, my lord,’ said Prince Edward. ‘Is my mother coming to see me?’

‘But your mother and brother have taken sanctuary. Your brother wanted to come to see you but your mother wouldn’t let him,’ replied Hastings.

"'his made Buckingham very angry. He ordered the Lord Cardinal to go to the Queen to persuade her to send the Duke of York to his brother Edward.

‘if she doesn’t let him come, you Hastings, take him from her,’ said Buckingham.

‘I’ll do my best to convince her,’ promised the Lord Cardinal, ‘but if she doesn’t agree, I can’t force them to leave sanctuary, it would be extremely inappropriate, they’re protected by the Church!’ ‘You are too traditional and too stubborn,’ said Buckingham. ‘I’ve never heard of a boy taking sanctuary. A man yes, but a boy, never.’

‘My lord, I’ll try. Come on, Lord Hastings, will you come with me?’ asked the Lord Cardinal.

‘I’ll come my lord,’ Hastings replied.

The two men left immediately for Westminster Abbey. Chapter four

The young Prince Edward asked Richard where he would stay until the day of the coronation. Richard suggested that he spent a couple of days in the Tower because he thought it was the safest place.

‘But i don’t like the Tower,’ said the Prince.

‘But it was built by Julius Caesar,’33 said Buckingham.

‘That’s true and I want to be a great warrior just like him. If I grow up to be a man, I’ll take back France for England,’ said the Prince.

Richard smiled to himself because he knew that if his plan succeeded, the young Prince would neither grow up nor become king. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the Lord Cardinal, Hastings, and the young duke of York.

‘And finally here’s your brother,’ said Buckingham.

‘How are you my boy,’ asked Richard.

‘Very well, thank you uncle,’ the duke replied.

The duke was also unhappy about staying in the Tower but agreed to go. He was frightened but his brother reassured him. 34

‘I’ll never sleep in that place. My uncle Clarence was murdered there,’ said the duke.

T’m not frightened of dead uncles,’ said the prince.

T hope that you’re not frightened of living ones either,’ said Richard.

The boys left for the Tower. Richard, Buckingham and Catesby talked.

Buckingham told Catesby to go to Hastings. He wanted him to find out whether Hastings would support them if Richard became king.

‘If he agrees, that’s excellent. If he seems unsure, don’t say too much,’ instructed Buckingham. 'This needs to be a secret.’

They told Catesby to let them know what Hastings said as soon as possible.

‘I will my lord,’ promised Catesby.

‘And what about Lord Stanley? What will he think?’ Buckingham asked Richard.

‘Stanley will do whatever Hastings does,’ said Richard. Catesby went to Hastings and Buckingham asked what they should do if Hastings didn’t agree with the idea of Richard becoming king.

‘Chop off his head,’ said Richard. ‘As soon as I’m king I’ll give you the earldom of Hereford 35 as a gift.’

‘Thank you,’ said Buckingham, ‘i’ll remind you of that as soon as you’re king.’

A messenger arrived at Hastings’ home in the middle of the night.

‘Who is that, knocking on my door at this time?’ shouted Hastings.

‘A messenger from Lord Stanley,’ the messenger answered.

'What do you want?’ asked Hastings.

‘My master had a dream, my lord, that Richard is a menace. He dreamt that the boar 36 burned his castle and that Richard plans to have two councils 37 called in London. He will get rid of you at one of these councils. He asks you to come immediately to the north to meet him.’

‘Go back to your master,’ said Hastings. ‘Richard can’t do anything without me. I’m going to one of the councils and Catesby will be at the other.

The Tragedy of Richard III

Tell your master to go back to sleep and not to worry. Richard will be kind to us. I’m staying here.’

‘I’ll tell my master what you said my lord,’ said the messenger.

The messenger left but Hastings was soon disturbed again, this time by Catesby himself.

‘Good morning, my lord,’ announced Catesby.

‘Good morning to you Catesby, you’re up very early this morning,’ replied Hastings. ‘What do you want?’

‘I’ve come to tell you that Richard wants to be king,’ said Catesby.

‘You’ve got to be joking,’ replied Hastings. ‘I can’t think of anyone worse for king.’

‘He asks if you will support him,’ said Catesby.

Catesby also told Hastings that Lord Grey and Lord Rivers were about to be executed at Pomfret Castle that afternoon, news that made Hastings happy.

‘I’m happy that Grey and Dorset will die but I won’t support Richard for king.’ Lord Stanley arrived and was still upset about his dream. Hastings made fun of him.

‘Good morning Stanley. Where’s your boar-spear?’ said Hastings.

‘I’m pleased that you find this all so funny,’ said Stanley. ‘I’m worried about all these councils.’

Richard had called a council meeting in London. All the noblemen in England had to go. Stanley reminded Hastings about what happened to Grey and Dorset and was worried about going to London. Hastings however persuaded him to go.

At Pomfret Castle the prisoners waited to die. They remembered that Richard II himself died there. It was now their turn.

In London the council meeting began. The lords wanted to decide a date for the royal coronation. The Bishop suggested the day after tomorrow but Buckingham reminded them all that Richard, as Protector, hadn’t approved anything yet. Richard entered and said ‘good morning’ to them all. He seemed to be in a good mood and even asked the Bishop to send for some strawberries from his garden in Holborn. 38 Richard said to Buckingham,

‘Could I have a word in private with you? Catesby told me that Hastings doesn’t want me to be king.’

Richard and Buckingham left the meeting for a few minutes to decide what to do with Hastings. Hastings however, was convinced that Richard liked him and that he would not do anything to harm him.

Richard and Buckingham came back into the meeting but Richard was in a foul temper.

‘You’re all plotting against me,’ said Richard. ‘Especially you Hastings!’

‘I’d never do such a thing,’ said Hastings, ‘And anyone who does deserves to die.’

‘Then you will be the first to die,’ said Richard, ‘You’re a traitor.’

Richard called for some soldiers who took Hastings away to be executed. Hastings realised that Stanley’s dreams and Margaret’s curses about Richard were true. Unfortunately for him, he realised all this too late. The others on the council were very frightened and didn’t dare say anything against Richard.

Things for Richard were starting to move very quickly. He had killed Lord Grey and Lord Dorset in Pomfret, his brother Clarence in the Tower and now Hastings was about to die.

His nephews were in the Tower and Queen Elizabeth was in sanctuary in Westminster Cathedral. His plan was working. Who could stop him now?

Richard and Buckingham had to convince the mayor that Hastings plotted against them.

‘He planned to kill me and Richard today at the Council meeting,’ said Buckingham. They told the mayor that they were afraid for their lives and asked him to address the citizens of London to tell them why Hastings was killed without a trial.

As the mayor left for Guildhall, Richard told Buckingham to follow him.

'Go after him and tell the citizens about Edward, their old king. Tell them about how he lived and his huge appetite for wine, food and fun. Tell them that his children are bastards and do not deserve the throne of England.’

'I will, my lord,’ replied Buckingham, ‘Where will you be?’

‘I’m going to Baynard’s Castle. I’ll be there with the bishops and clergy.’

Richard wanted the citizens to believe that he was a pious man. Richard was always very cunning.

A few hours later Buckingham returned from the Guildhall.

‘Well, what did the citizens say?’ demanded Richard.

‘Very little,’ replied Buckingham.

‘But did you tell them about my brother, the king and about the fact that his children were bastards?’

‘I did’, said Buckingham, ‘And then 1 told them that you were the only true heir to the throne. 1 told them about your victories as a soldier in Scotland and in France, about your humility and wisdom and piety.’

‘And what did they say,’ asked Richard.

‘Nothing. They stood there like statues,’ said Buckingham. ‘1 asked the mayor what this meant and he told me that the citizens are not used to be spoken to by anyone but the Recorder.’39

Buckingham however, put some men in the crowd who cheered for Richard and this helped to convince the mayor and the citizens.

Later that day the mayor asked to speak with Richard but found him praying with the bishops. He asked Buckingham if he could see him.

‘My lord mayor, I will do all that I can but I think the Duke prefers to remain with the bishops. I’ll ask his servant Catesby if he can be disturbed.’

‘My lord asks if you will see him tomorrow or the day after because he is praying with the bishops,’ said Catesby.

‘Go back and ask again Catesby, the lord mayor wishes to see him urgently,’ asked Buckingham.

Buckingham told the mayor that Richard was a pious and holy man, unlike his brother Edward. After a few minutes Richard arrived with the bishops.

The mayor and Buckingham asked Richard to become king. They told him that the citizens of England wanted him as their sovereign. Richard pretended to be unimpressed and at first refused. After some persuasion Richard agreed and a date for his coronation was set for the following day. Chapter five

The Queen, the Duchess of York and Lady Anne met outside the Tower. They QE had come to see the princes who were being held there by Richard. Brakenbury, the keeper of the Tower however refused to let them see them.

‘Who says that I can’t see my own children,’ asked the Queen.

‘The King has said that noone can see the princes,’ said Brakenbury.

‘The King, who’s that?’ asked the Queen.

‘I mean the Royal Protector,’ said Brakenbury aware that he had made a mistake by calling Richard king already.

Lord Stanley then arrived to take Lady Anne to Westminster Abbey.

‘Come madam, you must come with me to be crowned Queen,’ said Stanley.

‘This is all terrible news,’ said the Queen.

The Queen persuaded her son Dorset to go to Richmond in France as she feared for his life. Lord Stanley agreed that this was good advice and encouraged him to leave. All the women were very worried about the news that Richard was about to be king and were frightened about what would happen next.

Meanwhile in Westminster Abbey the trumpets sounded. Richard was King of England. However, he was still not completely happy.

He worried about Prince Edward in the Tower and called for Buckingham.

‘Come here, Buckingham. I don’t feel that I’m really king as long as Prince Edward is alive,’ said Richard.

‘Oh but you are king,’ said Buckingham.

‘That’s true but Prince Edward is the true Prince. Do I have to spell it out? I want the princes dead and I want it now. What do you think?’

‘You can do whatever you want to,’ said Buckingham.

Richard noticed that Buckingham didn’t think that it was a good idea and became angry with him.

‘Let me think about it,’ said Buckingham.

Buckingham left and Richard summoned a boy that worked in court to him. ‘Come here boy,’ ordered Richard. ‘Do you know anyone who can do a delicate duty for me in return for lots of money?’

‘I do know someone, my lord, his name is Tyrell,’ said the boy.

‘Excellent, bring him to me,’ asked Richard. ‘I’ve had enough of Buckingham and his insolence.’

Not satisfied with these arrangements, Richard still thought of new ways to defend his position. He decided that his new wife, Lady Anne, wasn’t as useful as he thought she was.

‘It would be better to be married to my brother Edward’s daughter, Elizabeth. This would make my accession to the throne even more legitimate,’ he thought.

He was interrupted by the arrival of Lord Stanley who brought news that Dorset was with Richmond. Even this news didn’t make Richard stop making more plans.

‘I must marry my brother’s daughter or else my kingdom is not safe. I’ll kill her brothers and then marry her.’

Tyrell then arrived in court.

‘Is your name Tyrell?’ asked Richard.

‘James Tyrell, and your most obedient subject,’ Tyrell replied.

‘Are you indeed? Then prove it to me,’ said Richard. ‘I want you to kill a friend of mine.’

‘I’d rather kill two,’ said Tyrell.

The Tragedy of Richard III

‘Even better,’ said Richard. ‘1 want you to kill the two bastards in the Tower, my nephews.’

‘With pleasure my lord. I’ll do it today,’ said Tyrell.

‘Music to my ears,’ said Richard. ‘Let me know as soon as the deed is done.’

‘I will,’ promised Tyrell, who left to get on with his business.

Buckingham returned and said that he had reconsidered Richard’s earlier request. Richard was no longer interested as Tyrell was already on his way.

‘Have you heard that Dorset is with Richmond?’ enquired Richard. ‘I hear that Richmond is sending letters to Elizabeth as well.’

‘I heard that my Lord. I want to talk about the earldom of Hereford you promised me,’ said Buckingham. ‘I remember a prophecy that said that Richmond will be king one day,’ said Richard, ignoring Buckingham’s question.

‘What about your promise and my earldom,’ insisted Buckingham.

‘A singer once told me that I will die as soon as I see Richmond,’ continued Richard.

‘My lord,’ shouted Buckingham.

‘Buckingham, enough! I’m not in the mood for giving presents today,’ shouted Richard.

Buckingham then understood that Richard didn’t care about him anymore. He remembered what Richard did to Hastings and trembled at the thought.

Tyrell killed the princes and thought about what he had done.

‘The terrible deed is done. The worst thing that this country has ever seen. I asked two men, Dighton and Forrest, evil villains the pair of them, to do it for me. Even they cried like two children when they saw what they did to those innocent princes. They left me to give the news to Richard and so I must do it.’

‘Kind Tyrell, am I happy with your news?’ asked Richard.

‘If you mean, have I done the thing that you asked me to do? Then you are happy, my lord.’

‘Did you see them dead,’ asked Richard.

T did, my lord,’ answered Tyrell.

‘And buried?’ asked Richard.

‘The chaplain of the Tower buried them but I don’t know where,’ said Tyrell.

‘After dinner you must tell me how they died and be rewarded for your work,’ said Richard.

Richard was extremely pleased that the princes were dead. He then started to think about Elizabeth again. He didn’t want her to marry Richmond and so planned to see her as soon as possible. First he had to get rid of his wife, Lady Anne, the Duchess of Gloucester. He started a rumour that she was not well and soon she died.

Catesby meanwhile arrived with more bad news.

‘My lord,’ said Catesby.

‘What do you want Catesby?’ asked Richard.

‘Lord Ely has joined Richmond and Buckingham has assembled an army of Welshmen to attack you.’ ‘I don’t care about Buckingham and his stupid little army but Ely worries me as he is closer. Get my army ready, we are going to battle!’ Chapter six

Margaret meanwhile couldn’t believe her good luck. Everything was going the BET way that she wanted. Edward’s family was almost all dead and armies were preparing to attack Richard. She planned to leave for France but before she could go she met the Queen and the Duchess of York. They were in mourning because the princes were dead.

They hated Richard and the Queen asked Margaret to prepare a curse for her.

‘You said that one day I’d want that evil spider to die,’ the Queen said to Margaret. ‘Teach me how to curse my enemies.’

‘Stay up all night and don’t eat all day. Think about your children and how wonderful they were. Think about how evil is the man that killed them,’ said Margaret.

‘I ’ll do it but you’re better at it than me,’ the Queen replied.

‘Don’t worry, you’ll manage,’42 said Margaret. ‘I must go to France.’

The Queen and the Duchess of York heard Richard approaching.^

‘Who is that in my way?’ asked Richard.

‘Someone who should have killed you when you were in my stomach,’ said the Duchess of York.

‘Look at you in your crown,’ said the Queen. ‘You killed the Prince who should be wearing that. You killed my two sons.’

‘You toad 43 Where is your brother Clarence?’ added the Duchess.

‘Where are Hastings, Rivers and Grey?’ said the Queen.

‘I don’t have to listen to this,’ said Richard. ‘Sound the trumpets!’

‘Are you my son?’ asked the Duchess.

T am,’ said Richard.

‘Then listen to me!’

T don’t want to listen to your complaints and your anger,’ said Richard.

Til speak kindly,’ the Duchess promised.

‘And quickly,’ said Richard.

‘I hope to never see you again. I hope that you’ll die in battle and that you regret all the terrible things that you’ve done. Think about the little princes. You’re an evil man and you’ll have an evil end.’

‘I couldn’t have put it better myself,’ agreed the Queen.

The Queen and the Duchess prepared to leave but Richard first wanted to speak with the Queen.

‘I can’t imagine what you want now, 1 don’t have any more sons for you to murder,’ said the Queen.

‘No, but you have a daughter called Elizabeth,’ replied Richard.

‘You want to kill her too! What’s she done to you?’ said the Queen.

'I don’t want to kill her, 1 want to marry her,’ said Richard.

‘You must be joking!’ said the Queen. ‘After everything you’ve done to her family.’

‘I want to protect her,’ said Richard. ‘As Queen she’ll be quite safe and also very powerful.’

‘Until you’ve had enough of her,’ said the Queen.

'Please speak with her,’ begged Richard. ‘This way your family name will be protected.’

‘I will but I won’t promise anything,’ replied the Queen.

Ratcliffe, another of Richard’s servants, reported that Buckingham’s army was getting stronger and that Richmond was at sea and was preparing to invade. Richard summoned Lord Stanley and asked him what he should do.

‘What is Richmond doing?’ asked Richard.

‘I don’t know exactly, my Lord,’ replied Stanley. ‘He is at sea and is preparing to invade. He knows that Ely, Dorset and Buckingham are on his side and 1 think that he wants to become king.’

‘Don’t we already have a king?’ said Richard. ‘Am 1 dead? I’m the only surviving heir to the House of York. I’m starting not to trust you either Stanley.’

‘You haven’t got any reason not to trust me, my Lord. What have I done?’ Stanley said.

‘Well in that case, why aren’t you doing anything about Buckingham and his Welshmen?’ asked Richard.

‘My armies are in the north, Buckingham attacks in the west,’ replied Stanley.

‘Not much use to me there, are they? Go and get them but leave your son George Stanley here with me in case you get any ideas about joining Richmond,’ said Richard.

Lord Stanley wasn’t very happy about leaving his son with Richard but he didn’t have any choice. Richard could see that his kingdom was in danger and he didn’t trust anyone anymore. A messenger arrived with even more bad news. Other nobles in Devon had joined Richmond’s army. Buckingham however, had been captured and his army dispersed.

Richard prepared to go to battle at Salisbury.

‘Away towards Salisbury! We’re wasting our time here.’ He sent a messenger with the order to bring Buckingham to him in Salisbury. Chapter seven

Lord Stanley couldn’t go to Richmond in person because Richard was holding ! his son George Stanley as a hostage. He did however send him a message. Richmond was in Wales and Stanley promised him his support. He also told him that the Queen had agreed to Richmond’s marriage with Elizabeth. The Queen had chosen Richmond to be king.

The time had come for Buckingham’s execution. Ratcliffe and a guard were with him.

'Won’t King Richard let me speak with him?’ asked Buckingham.

‘No, I’m afraid not,’ said Ratcliffe.

‘I thought that he wouldn’t,’ said Buckingham.

He was starting to regret all the terrible things that he had done and he imagined that Richard would do the same one day. ‘Today I’m going to get what I deserve. Margaret’s curse has come true.’

Richmond meanwhile was preparing his armies. He was confident of victory and spoke to his men. He told them that it was time to remove Richard’s tyranny from England.

‘We must kill the boar,’ he said, ‘He’s waiting for us near Leicester.’

Richmond’s army marched to Tamworth, a small village near Leicester to wait.

Richard arrived at Bosworth Field and his army made camp there.

‘Put up my tent here,’ Richard ordered. ‘Does anyone know how many men are in Richmond’s army?’

'About six thousand,’ replied one of Richard’s nobles.

‘Our army is three times as big,’ Richard said. ‘Come, I want to look at the battlefield before I go to bed, tomorrow is going to be a busy day.’

Richmond was also planning for the day ahead. He noticed the golden sunset and thought that it was a good omen for the battle. He sent a messenger to Stanley asking him to come to him.

In Richard’s tent, Catesby spoke.

‘What do you want to eat this evening, my Lord,’ asked Catesby.

‘Nothing, I’m not hungry tonight,’ said Richard. ‘But bring me some paper and some ink. Then send a messenger to Stanley. I want him to send his army here before dawn otherwise I’ll kill his son.’

Richard told his nobles to be ready early the next morning and prepared to sleep.

Stanley by this time however, was already with Richmond. He couldn’t support Richmond in battle otherwise Richard would kill his son. He hoped that Richmond would win.

Richard was asleep but he was having nightmares. He was worried about Stanley and didn’t trust anyone.

Suddenly in a dream, Prince Edward appeared.

‘Remember how you killed me at Tewkesbury when I was so young,’ the ghost said. ‘Despair46 and die.’

The ghost then spoke to Richmond.

‘I wish you good luck tomorrow.’

And then the ghost of King Henry appeared.

‘Think how you killed me, too,’ said the ghost. ‘King Henry hopes that tomorrow you will die.’

The Tragedy of Richard III

Another ghost then appeared, this time the ghost of Clarence.

‘It’s me Clarence. The brother you betrayed to death. Think about what you did to me tomorrow as you fight.’

Clarence’s ghost then spoke to Richmond.

‘Even though you are from the House of Lancaster, I wish you good luck.’

More ghosts came and Richard’s conscience was in pain. First came the ghosts of Rivers and Grey, then the two young princes and then Hastings and Lady Anne. All of them hoped he would lose and die the next day.

The last ghost to visit Richard was Buckingham’s ghost. He helped Richard in the beginning but now he wished that he hadn’t.

Richard woke up and felt very bad. He was worried about what the dream meant.

‘Who’s that?’ he shouted.

‘It is only me, Ratcliffe,’ said Ratcliffe.

‘What do you want?’ asked Richard.

‘It’s time to go to battle my Lord. You need to put your armour on.’

‘O Ratcliffe, I slept so badly and had terrible dreams,’ said Richard. ‘Don’t worry, my Lord,’ said Ratcliffe. ‘It was only a dream.’

‘I’m more frightened about my dream than about fighting ten thousand men,’ said Richard. ‘Get me my horse.’

‘Yes, my Lord,’ said Ratcliffe.

‘Did Stanley send his men yet,’ asked Richard.

‘A messenger said that Stanley isn’t coming,’ replied Ratcliffe.

‘Kill his son as soon as the battle is over,’ ordered Richard.

Richard prepared to go to battle.

Richmond, on the other hand, slept so well that he was now late. His nobles made fun of him.

‘I dreamt that all the people that Richard killed came to visit me’, Richmond said. ‘They all wished me good luck. What time is it?’

‘It’s four o’clock’, one of the noblemen said.

‘Time to go to battle!’ said Richmond.

Richard saw that the sun was not yet up. He took the black sky as a good omen for the battle. He too prepared to fight.

Richard fought well but his horse was killed in battle.

‘A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!’ he shouted.

‘Come with me, my Lord,’ said Catesby. ‘I’ll find you a horse.’

‘No, the battle is lost. I’ve already killed Richmond five times today but he’s still alive. 47 It’s over.’

Richard was killed and Richmond was the victor.

‘Victorious friends, the day is ours and the bloody dog is dead,’ said Richmond.

Stanley gave the crown to Richmond and he was the new king of England. ‘Thank you Stanley,’ said Richmond. ‘But is your son alright?’

‘He is my lord, and safe, thank you for asking.’

The battle was over and Richmond took his new wife Elizabeth as queen. The houses of York and Lancaster were joined together and England was at peace once more. Richard III

Playscript

ACT ONE

SCENE 1

RICHARD enters alone

RICHARD : Now all of my family’s troubles have come to a glorious end, thanks to my brother, King Edward IV.

I am so badly formed that dogs bark at me as I limp by them. Since l can’t amuse myself by being a lover, I’ve decided to become a villain. I’ve set dangerous plans in motion to set my brother Clarence and the king against each other. If King Edward is as honest and fair-minded as I am deceitful and cruel, then Clarence is going to be locked away in prison today because of a prophecy that “G” will murder Edward’s children. Oh, time to hide what I’m thinking—here comes Clarence.

CLARENCE enters, surrounded by guards, with BRAKENBURY.

RICHARD : Good afternoon, brother. Why are you surrounded by these armed guards?

CLARENCE : His majesty has ordered them to conduct me to the Tower.

RICHARD : You’re being arrested? Why?

CLARENCE : Because my name is George.

RICHARD : That’s not your faultl He should imprison the person who named you, instead. But, really, what’s going on, Clarence? Can you tell me?

CLARENCE : I’ll tell you as soon as I know, Richard, because at this point l have no idea. Our brother said a wizard told him that “G” will take the throne away from his children. He thinks “G” is me.

RICHARD : Well, this is what happens when men let themselves be ruled by women. The king isn’t the one sending you to the Tower, Clarence. It’s his wife, who got him to do this.

CLARENCE : By God, I think the only people who are safe are the queen’s own relatives.

BRAKENBURY : I beg your pardon, my lords, but the king gave me orders that no one should speak privately to Clarence.

CLARENCE : We know you have a job to do, Brakenbury, and we’ll do what you say.

RICHARD : Farewell, brother. I will go to the king and do whatever I can to get you out. In the meantime, be patient.

CLARENCE : I have no choice. Goodbye.

CLARENCE, BRAKENBURY, and the guards exit.

RICHARD : Dumb, honest Clarence. I love you so much that I’ll send your soul to heaven very soon.

HASTINGS enters.

HASTINGS : Good afternoon, my dear lord!

RICHARD : The same to you, my lord! Welcome to the open air again. How did you toterate prison?

HASTINGS : With patience, noble lord, as prisoners must.

RICHARD : No doubt, no doubt. What’s the news?

HASTINGS : The king is sickly, weak, and depressed, and his doctors are very afraid he’s going to die.

RICHARD : Now, that really is terrible news. Very sad. Where is he, in his bed?

HASTINGS : He is.

RICHARD : You go ahead, and I will follow you.

HASTINGS exits.

RICHARD : The king won’t live, I hope. But he’d better not die till Clarence is sent to heaven. If my plan succeeds, Clarence doesn’t have another day to live. Then I’ll marry the earl of Warwick’s youngest daughter, Lady Anne.

He exits.

SCENE 2

The corpse of KING HENRY VI is carried in a coffin, followed by Lady ANNE, dressed in mourning clothes, and armed guards.

ANNE : Set down the coffin, men. I want to mourn the cruel death of this good man. Look at the noble king’s poor cold body.

RICHARD enters.

RICHARD : Villains, set down the corpse, or I’ll make a corpse of you. GENTLEMAN : My lord, stand back and let the coffin pass.

RICHARD : Rude dog! Stop when I command you to!

They put the coffin down.

ANNE : Get out, you dreadful servant of hell. You only had power over my father-inlaw’s body; you can’t have his soul.

RICHARD : Sweet saint, for goodness’s sake, don’t be so angry.

ANNE : Ugly devil get out of here and leave us alone. You have made the happy world into your hell.

RICHARD : Divine woman, give me a chance to prove that I’m innocent of the evils you accuse me of.

•ANNE : The only “explanation” I’ll accept from you is for you to hang yourself.

RICHARD : Your beauty made me do what I did. It’s strange that you want to take revenge on the person who loves you.

ANNE : It’s just and reasonable that I want to take revenge on the person who killed my husband.

RICHARD : There is a man who loves you better than your husband could.

ANNE : Name him.

RICHARD : Plantagenet.

ANNE : Yes, that’s my husband’s name.

RICHARD : Someone else has the same name, but he’s a better man.

ANNE : Where is this man?

RICHARD : Here.

ANNE looks at him with disgust.

RICHARD : If your heart can’t forgive me, here—take my sword and bury it in my heart.

ANNE lets the sword drop.

ANNE : Get up, liar. I’m not going to be the one to kill you. I wish I knew what was in your heart.

RICHARD : Tell me that you’ll accept my love.

ANNE : You’ll know about that later. RICHARD : Please wear this ring.

ANNE : I’ll take the ring, but don’t assume I’m giving you anything in return.

RICHARD : Please leave the coffin to me to take care of the burial, as I have more reason to mourn than you do. Meanwhile go to my estate at Crosby Place and I’ll meet you there later.

ANNE : I’ll do it with all my heart. I’m happy to see you’ve come to repent for what you’ve done.

ANNE and two others exit.

GENTLEMAN : Toward Chertsey, noble lord?

RICHARD : No, to the Whitefriars monastery. Wait for me there.

SCENE 3

QUEEN ELIZABETH, the lord marquess of DORSET, RIVERS, and Lord GREY enter.

RIVERS : Be patient, madam. I’m sure his majesty will recover soon.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : If he were dead, what would happen to me?

GREY : Your son will comfort you when the king is dead.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : But he’s young, and as long as he’s too young to become king, Richard, the duke of Gloucester, has power over him.

RIVERS : Has it been decided that Richard will be Protector?

QUEEN ELIZABETH : It’s been decided, though not yet officially announced. But that’s what will happen if the king dies.

The duke of BUCKINGHAM and Lord STANLEY, Earl of Derby, enter.

GREY : Here come Lord Buckingham and Lord Stanley.

BUCKINGHAM : (to QUEEN ELIZABETH) Good afternoon, your royal Highness!

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Did you see the king today?

STANLEY : Yes, the duke of Buckingham and I have just returned from visiting him.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : What are the chances of his getting better, lords?

BUCKINGHAM : Madam, keep up hope. He seems cheerful.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : God give him health. Did you talk with him? BUCKINGHAM : Yes, madam. He wants to clear things up between Richard and your brothers, and between your brothers and Hastings. He has summoned them all.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : I wish I could believe you that all was well! But I’m worried.

RICHARD, HASTINGS, and DORSET enter.

RICHARD : By God, whoever is worrying the king with these lies doesn’t love him very much.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Brother, you’ve made a mistake. The king himself noticed your hatred toward my children, my brothers, and myself.

RICHARD : I can’t tell what’s going on. My brother is imprisoned because of you, I am disgraced.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : I promise you I never did anything to get the king to turn against the duke of Clarence. By God, I will tell the king about all this.

Old QUEEN MARGARET enters without being seen.

RICHARD : (to QUEEN ELIZABETH) What! Look, what I have said to you I will repeat in the presence of the king.

QUEEN MARGARET : (speaking so no one else can hear) You devil! You killed my husband, Henry, in the Tower and my poor son, Edward, at Tewksbury.

QUUEN MARGARET moves forward so that everyone can see her and starts cursing everyone. She then exits.

CATESBY enters.

CATESBY : Madam, his majesty asks for you, and for you, Duke of Gloucester, and for you, my noble lords.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Catesby, we’ll be there soon.—Lords, will you come with me?

Everyone but RICHARD exits.

Two MURDERERS enter.

RICHARD : Are you going to take care of this thing now?

FIRST MURDERER : We are, my lord. We’ve come to get the warrant so we can be let into his cell.

RICHARD : Good. I have it here. But, sirs, do the job fast. They all exit.

SCENE 4 CLARENCE and the KEEPER enter.

KEEPER : Why do you look so depressed today, your Grace?

CLARENCE : Oh, I had a miserable night, I had such dark and terrifying dreams. KEEPER : What was your dream? Tell me.

CLARENCE : I thought I had escaped from the Tower and was on a ship to France with my brother Richard, who persuaded to walk on deck with him. As we were walking on the deck Richard seemed to stumble, and as I tried to get hold of him, he knocked me overboard into the crashing waves. Lord, how painful it was to drown. KEEPER : I’m not surprised it scared you, my lord. It scares me just to hear you talk about it.

CLARENCE : Oh, keeper, keeper, the bad things I’ve done are finally taking their toll. I did them for Edward’s sake and look how he rewards me. Kind warden, please stay with me for a while. I need to sleep.

KEEPER : I’ll stay, my lord. May God bring you sleep!

CLARENCE sleeps. BRAKENBURY, the lieutenant, enters.

The two MURDERERS enter.

BRAKENBURY : What do you want, fellows?

FIRST MURDERER : We want to speak with Clarence. Here is our order. BRAKENBURY reads the paper.

BRAKENBURY : It orders me to hand the noble duke of Clarence over to you. I won’t ask why, here are the keys!

FIRST MURDERER : That’s a wise idea. Goodbye.

BRAKENBURY and the KEEPER exit.

SECOND MURDERER : Should I stab him while he sleeps?

FIRST MURDERER : No. When he wakes up.

CLARENCE wakes.

CLARENCE : Where are you, keeper? Give me a cup of wine.

SECOND MURDERER : You’ll have wine enough, my lord, soon.

CLARENCE : In God’s name, who are you? FIRST MURDERER : A man, like you.

CLARENCE : Your voice is loud and commanding, but you look like a working man. FIRST MURDERER : I’m speaking for the king.

CLARENCE : Who sent you here? Why are you here?

SECOND MURDERER : To, to, to—

CLARENCE : To murder me?

BOTH MURDERERS : Yes.

CLARENCE : You barely have the heart to tell me, so you can’t possibly have the nerve to do it.

SECOND MURDERER : My Lord prepare to die.

They exit

ACT TWO

SCENE 1

Trumpets sound. KING EDWARD IV enters, sick, accompanied by QUEEN ELIZABETH, DORSET, RIVERS, HASTINGS, BUCKINGHAM, GREY, and others.

KING EDWARD IV : Well. You must all keep up this united front. Every day I expect a message from God to bring me away from here. Now my soul can depart for heaven peacefully, since my friends have made peace here on earth. BUCKINGHAM : Here Richard comes with Sir Richard Ratcliffe.

RICHARD and RATCLIFFE enter.

RICHARD : Good morning to my sovereign king and queen.

KING EDWARD IV: Gloucester, we have turned hate into love among these angry nobles. RICHARD : What blessed work, my king, I want to join with you in peaceful friendship. QUEEN ELIZABETH : Today shall always be remembered as a holy day. One more thing, my dear majesty. Please pardon our brother Clarence.

RICHARD : Why, madam? Who doesn’t know that the good duke is dead?

KING EDWARD IV : Who says he is?

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Oh my God, what a terrible world this is!

KING EDWARD IV : Is Clarence dead? But I reversed the death sentence.

RICHARD : Well, the poor man died by your first order. The second arrived too late. KING EDWARD IV : Oh God, I fear your justice will destroy me and all of these men, and their families and mine, because of this! Come, Hastings, help me to my room. Oh, poor Clarence.

KING EDWARD IV and QUEEN ELIZABETH exit with several others.

RICHARD : But come, lords to Edward’s room to comfort him.

They all exit.

SCENE 2

The old DUCHESS OF YORK enters with CLARENCE’S two children.

BOY : Tell me, good grandmother, is our father dead?

DUCHESS : No, boy.

GIRL : Then why do you cry, “Oh Clarence, my unlucky son?”

BOY : Why do you look at us and shake your head, and call us orphans?

DUCHESS : My pretty children, both of you misunderstand me. I’m lamenting the sickness of the king.

QUEEN ELIZABETH enters with her hair undone. RIVERS, and DORSET follow.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : No one can stop me now from weeping about my terrible luck. DUCHESS : Why are you making such a scene?

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Edward—my husband, your son, our king—is dead.

CHILDREN : Our poor father, Clarence!

DUCHESS : My sons Edward and Clarence!

SCENE 3

The ARCHBISHOP of York, QUEEN ELIZABETH, her son, the young duke of YORK, and the DUCHESS of York enter.

DUCHESS : I’m dying to see the prince. I hope he’s grown a lot since I last saw him.

A MESSENGER enters.

ARCHBISHOP : Here comes a messenger. What’s the news?

MESSENGER : Lord Rivers and Lord Grey have been imprisoned in Pomfret. DUCHESS : Who sent them there? MESSENGER : The powerful dukes Gloucester and Buckingham.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Oh no! I see the downfall of my family.

(to YORK) Come, my boy, let’s go to sanctuary. Madam, farewell.

ARCHBISHOP : (to QUEEN ELIZABETH) My gracious lady come, I’ll conduct you to the sanctuary.

They all exit.

ACT THREE

SCENE 1

The trumpets sound. The young PRINCE, the CARDINAL, CATESBY, and others.

BUCKINGHAM : Welcome, sweet prince, to London, the capital of the king. RICHARD : Welcome, dear nephew, king of all my thoughts. How was your journey? PRINCE : It wasn’t the journey itself, uncle, but the troubles we encountered that made it wearisome and dull.

RICHARD : My lord, the mayor of London is here to greet you.

The LORD MAYOR and his train enter.

LORD MAYOR : God bless your Grace with health and happy days.

PRINCE : Thank you, my good lord. I thought my mother and my brother, York, would have come to meet me.

HASTINGS enters.

BUCKINGHAM : And, just in time, here comes Lord Hastings.

PRINCE : Welcome, my lord. Why isn’t my mother coming?

HASTINGS : Your mother and your brother have taken sanctuary in Westminster Abbey. BUCKINGHAM : Lord Cardinal, will you please persuade the queen to hurry and send the duke of York here?

CARDINAL : My Lord of Buckingham, if she resists I can’t possibly force them to leave sanctuary.

BUCKINGHAM : It’s only a sanctuary for those who really need protection. You’re not breaking any holy laws to take him away.

CARDINAL : My lord, you’ve convinced me. Lord Hastings, will you go with me? HASTINGS : I’m coming, my lord.

PRINCE : Go as fast as you can.

CARDINAL and HASTINGS exit.

PRINCE : Uncle Richard, if my brother comes, where will I stay till my coronation? RICHARD : If I were you, I would stay in the Tower for a day or two.

PRINCE : Of all places, I don’t like the Tower. Didn’t Julius Caesar build it? BUCKINGHAM : He started it, my noble lord, and succeeding generations rebuilt it.

Young YORK, HASTINGS, and the CARDINAL enter.

BUCKINGHAM : Here’s the duke of York.

PRINCE : Richard of York, how are you doing, my loving brother?

YORK : Very well, my supreme lord—that’s what I have to call you now.

PRINCE : Yes, brother.

RICHARD : How’s my nephew doing, noble lord of York?

YORK : Well. Thank you for asking, uncle.

RICHARD : (to PRINCE) My lord, will you please continue on your way to the Tower? My good cousin Buckingham and I will go to your mother and ask her to meet you there. YORK : (to PRINCE) What, you’re going to the Tower, my lord?

PRINCE : My protector, Richard, insists on it.

YORK : I can’t sleep quietly in the Tower.

RICHARD : Why, what are you afraid of?

YORK : My uncle Clarence’s angry ghost. My grandmother told me he was murdered there.

PRINCE : I’m not afraid of dead uncles.

RICHARD : Nor of living ones, I hope.

PRINCE : Well, I hope not. (to YORK) But come, my lord.

A trumpet sounds. Everyone except RICHARD, BUCKINGHAM, and CATESBY exits.

BUCKINGHAM : Come here, Catesby. Do you think we’II manage to convince Lord Hastings to join us in installing Richard as king of England? CATESBY : Hastings loved the prince’s father so much that we won’t be able to persuade him to do anything against the prince.

BUCKINGHAM : What about Stanley? Won’t he join us?

CATESBY : He’ll do whatever Hastings does.

BUCKINGHAM : Okay, just do this, noble Catesby: encourage him to join us and explain all our reasons. But if he’s resistant break off the conversation. Let us know how he responds. Tomorrow we’re going to hold two separate meetings, one for those who are with us and one for those who aren’t.

RICHARD : Give my regards to Hastings, Catesby. Tell him his enemies will die tomorrow at Pomfret.

CATESBY exits.

BUCKINGHAM : Now, my lord, what are we going to do if we find that Lord Hastings won’t go along with our plans?

RICHARD : Chop off his head. And when I’m king, remember to ask me for the earldom of Hereford and all the possessions that go with it.

BUCKINGHAM : I look forward to that present.

RICHARD : Come, let’s have an early dinner so that we have time to work out our plans.

They exit.

SCENE 2

BUCKINGHAM, STANLEY, HASTINGS, the bishop of ELY, RATCLIFFE, and LOVELL, enter with others and take their seats at a table.

HASTINGS : Now, noble lords, the reason we’re meeting is to determine the day the prince will be crowned. When should the royal day be?

BUCKINGHAM : Is everything ready for that event?

STANLEY : It is. All we have to do is name the day.

ELY : Tomorrow’s a good day.

BUCKINGHAM : Who knows what the Lord Protector thinks?

ELY : You, I think, would best know what he’s thinking. BUCKINGHAM : How would I know? Lord Hastings, you and he are close.

HASTINGS : Thank you. I know he holds me dear, but I haven’t asked him about the coronation, and he hasn’t told me.

RICHARD enters.

RICHARD : My noble lords and relatives, good morning. I hope I didn’t delay any important decisions.

BUCKINGHAM : If you hadn’t shown up on time, my lord, Lord Hastings was going to speak for you —in the crowning of the king.

RICHARD : He knows me well and loves me well.—Ely, when I was last at your palace, I saw some great strawberries in your garden. I beg you, send someone to bring some of them.

ELY : Yes, my lord. With pleasure.

He exits.

RICHARD : Buckingham, I need to have a word with you. (Drawing him aside) Catesby found out that Hastings doesn’t agree with our plan.

BUCKINGHAM : Move to the other room, my lord. I’ll come soon.

RICHARD exits with BUCKINGHAM following him.

ELY returns.

ELY : Where is my lord, the duke of Gloucester? I have sent for the strawberries.

HASTINGS : Richard is looking cheerful today.

RICHARD and BUCKINGHAM return.

RICHARD : Tell me, all of you, what punishment does a person deserve who conspires to kill me?

HASTINGS : Because I love your Grace, I say that whoever the offenders are, deserve to die.

RICHARD : You stop pretending you care. You’re a traitor.—Off with his head. By Saint Paul, I swear I won’t eat lunch until I see him beheaded. Lovell and Ratcliffe, make sure it gets done. The rest of you who love me, come with me.

They all exit.

SCENE 3 RICHARD and BUCKINGHAM enter wearing rusty armour.

RICHARD : Tell me, cousin, I need to know if you are capable of lying.

BUCKINGHAM : Oh please, I can imitate the best tragic actor around.

RICHARD : Here is Catesby with the mayor.

The LORD MAYOR and CATESBY enter.

RICHARD : Look behind you! Defend yourself! There are enemies here. BUCKINGHAM : God defend and guard us innocents against them!

LOVELL and RATCLIFFE enter with HASTINGS’S head.

LOVELL : Here’s the head of that notorious traitor, the dangerous Hastings. RICHARD : I loved this man so much, it makes me weep.

BUCKINGHAM : Would you believe, if we hadn’t caught him, this traitor would have murdered the Lord of Gloucester and me in the council room today?

LORD MAYOR : He would have?

RICHARD : Do you think we would have disobeyed the law and killed this villain for no reason?

LORD MAYOR : I hope nothing else like this ever happens to you! This man deserved his death. I’ll let our citizens know about this.

The LORD MAYOR exits.

RICHARD : Follow him, Buckingham. He’s traveling to the London meeting hall.

BUCKINGHAM : Don’t worry, my lord, I’ll try my best. Goodbye, my lord.

RICHARD : If things go well, bring the crowd to Baynard’s Castle, where I’ll be surrounded by priests and learned bishops.

BUCKINGHAM exits.

SCENE 4

RICHARD and BUCKINGHAM enter through different doors.

RICHARD : So what did the citizens say?

BUCKINGHAM : It’s incredible—they didn’t say a word. RICHARD : Did you mention that Edward’s children are bastards?

BUCKINGHAM : I did. I asked those who loved their country to cry, “God save Richard, England’s royal king!”

RICHARD : And did they?

BUCKINGHAM : No, God help me, they didn’t say a word. Like silent statues or stones they just looked at each other and turned as pale as the dead.

RICHARD : What blocks of wood! They wouldn’t say anything?

BUCKINGHAM : The mayor is here at hand. Pretend you’re afraid, my lord, and don’t speak until you’re asked. And make sure to carry a prayer book in your hand.

RICHARD : I’m going now.

A sound of knocking from offstage.

The LORD MAYOR and CITIZENS enter.

BUCKINGHAM : Welcome, my lord. I’m waiting for the duke to show up. I don’t think he wants to be disturbed.

CATESBY enters.

BUCKINGHAM : Here comes his servant. Now, Catesby, what does your lord say to my request?

CATESBY : My lord, he asks that you please visit him tomorrow or the next day. He’s inside in prayer, with two reverend fathers.

BUCKINGHAM : Return to the gracious duke, good Catesby. Tell him that the mayor, some citizens and I have come to confer with his grace in matters of great importance concerning the general good.

CATESBY : I’ll tell him right away, my lord.

CATESBY returns.

BUCKINGHAM : What’s up, Catesby, what does your master say?

CATESBY : My lord, he wonders why you have assembled such troops of citizens to speak with him, since he had no idea they were coming.

RICHARD enters between two bishops.

BUCKINGHAM : Most gracious Prince we beg you, in all your goodness, to take upon yourself the responsibility and rule of this land as the king himself. RICHARD : I honestly don’t know what to do. Here is my definitive answer: thank you for your love, but I’m going to have to turn down your request because I don’t deserve to be king.

BUCKINGHAM : My good lord, don’t refuse the love we offer you.

CATESBY : Oh, make them joyful!

RICHARD : Alas, I am unfit to rule and to be king.

BUCKINGHAM : But listen, if you won’t become king, we’ll just get someone else to the disgrace and ruin of your family.

BUCKINGHAM exits with CITIZENS and LORD MAYOR.

CATESBY : Call them back, my lord, and accept their request. If you refuse it, the whole country will regret it.

RICHARD : Well, call them back again. I am not made of stone.

BUCKINGHAM and the rest return.

RICHARD : Buckingham, my brother, and you wise, serious men, since you intend to force me to take responsibility for these changing times, whether I want to or not, I’m going to have to be brave and endure the load.

LORD MAYOR : God bless your Grace! We understand you’re just doing it for us, and we’ll be sure to say so.

BUCKINGHAM : Then I salute you with this royal title: long live Richard, England’s worthy king!

ALL: Amen.

BUCKINGHAM : Will you be crowned tomorrow?

RICHARD : Whenever you want, since you’re the one who wants it.

BUCKINGHAM : Tomorrow, then, we will wait on your Grace. Now we’ll take our leave—joyfully.

RICHARD : (to the bishops) Come, let us get back to praying.—Farewell, my cousin; farewell, noble friends.

They all exit.

ACT FOUR

SCENE 1

Trumpets play. RICHARD enters, already crowned and dressed as a king. BUCKINGHAM, CATESBY, a PAGE, and others enter with him.

RICHARD : Everyone stand aside.—Cousin Buckingham.

BUCKINGHAM : My gracious king.

RICHARD : Give me your hand.

RICHARD ascends the throne with BUCKINGHAM at his side.

RICHARD : Oh Buckingham, now I’m going to test you to see if you're truly made of gold. Young Prince Edward is still alive—what do you think I’m going to say next? BUCKINGHAM : Go on, my loving lord.

RICHARD : Why, Buckingham, I say I want to be king.

BUCKINGHAM : Why, you are king, your highness.

RICHARD : But Edward is still alive. Cousin, I want the bastards dead. What do you say? BUCKINGHAM : Your Grace can do whatever he wants.

RICHARD : Tell me, do I have your consent to kill them?

BUCKINGHAM : Give me a little pause to think. I’ll let you know my answer shortly. He exits.

RICHARD : Ambitious Buckingham grows much too circumspect. Boy!

PAGE : My lord?

RICHARD : Do you know anyone who would kill someone for money?

PAGE : My lord, I know one unhappy gentleman.

RICHARD : What’s his name?

PAGE : His name is Tyrrel, my lord.

RICHARD : I know the man a bit. Go, bring him here, boy.

The PAGE exits.

STANLEY enters.

STANLEY : You should know, my loving lord, I’ve heard that the marquess Dorset has fled to Brittany, to the earl of Richmond.

He exits. RICHARD : Come here, Catesby. Spread the rumor abroad that Anne, my wife, is very sick and likely to die. Hurry up because it’s absolutely crucial that I destroy anything that may damage my position.

CATESBY exits.

RICHARD : (to himself) I must get married to my brother’s daughter. Otherwise, my kingdom is not safe.

The PAGE returns with TYRREL.

RICHARD : Are you Tyrrel?

TYRREL : James Tyrrel—and your most obedient subject.

RICHARD : Do you dare kill a friend of mine?

TYRREL : Yes, my lord, but I’d rather kill two enemies.

RICHARD : Well, that’s what you get to do. Two great enemies, in fact, 1 mean those bastards in the Tower.

TYRREL : Give me access to them, and soon you won’t have to worry about them anymore.

RICHARD : That’s music to my ears. Come here, Tyrrel.

As soon as the deed is done, I will promote you.

TYRREL : I’ll do it right away.

He exits.

BUCKINGHAM returns.

BUCKINGHAM : My lord, I have thought over the request you just made of me. RICHARD : Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. Dorset has fled to the earl of Richmond. BUCKINGHAM : I heard the news, my lord.

My lord, I’d want to have the gift you promised me on your honor: the earldom of Hereford and all the possessions that go with it.

RICHARD : You’re bothering me. I’m not in the mood.

Everyone except BUCKINGHAM exits.

BUCKINGHAM : Is this really happening? Does he reward my dedicated service with such deep contempt?

He exits. SCENE 2

TYRREL enters.

TYRREL : It was the most ruthless massacre this country has ever been guilty of. RICHARD enters.

RICHARD : Kind Tyrrel, will your news make me happy?

TYRREL : If my doing what you told me to makes you happy, then be happy, because I did it.

RICHARD : But did you see them dead?

TYRREL : I did, my lord.

RICHARD : And buried, noble Tyrrel?

TYRREL : The Tower’s chaplain has buried them, but I don’t know where.

RICHARD : Tyrrel, come back shortly after dinner and tell me the details of their deaths. See you soon.

TYRREL exits.

RICHARD : Now I go to marry my brother Edward’s young daughter, Elizabeth, because I know Richmond has his eye on her. He wants to win the crown by way of marrying her.

RATCL1FFE enters.

RATCLIFFE : My lord! The Bishop of Ely has fled to Richmond, and Buckingham is on the march. His army is growing.

RICHARD : Ely joining Richmond troubles me more than Buckingham and his quickly assembled army. Come, let’s gather an army. When traitors challenge us to fight, it’s best to act fast.

They exit.

SCENE 3

Old QUEEN MARGARET enters.

QUEEN MARGARET : I’ll head to France soon. It’s time to hide. Who’s coming?

QUEEN ELIZABETH and the DUCHESS of York enter.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Ah, my poor princes! Ah, my tender babes, my flowers who didn’t even get a chance to bloom. DUCHESS : It’s a shame to the world, when someone like me, who should have died long ago, still lives.

QUEEN MARGARET : If you can allow for comparison (sitting down with them), consider your losses next to mine.

A trumpet plays. They rise

King RICHARD enters, with his followers, including CASTEBY.

RICHARD : Who’s blocking the way?

DUCHESS : The woman who might have blocked you from all the murders you’ve committed by killing you when you were in her stomach.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Tell me, you villain, where are my children?

DUCHESS : You devil, where is your brother Clarence and his son?

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Where are the noble Hastings, Rivers, Grey?

RICHARD : Play, trumpets! Don’t let the heavens hear these women abuse the king. Play, I say!

DUCHESS : Are you my son?

RICHARD : Yes, I thank God, my father, and yourself.

DUCHESS : Then listen to me.

RICHARD : Be brief, good mother—I’m in a hurry.

DUCHESS : Take with you my heaviest curse. You are violent, and your end will be violent. Your life was shameful, and let your death be too.

She exits.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Though I have far more reason, I don’t have as much energy to curse you. But I say amen to everything she said.

RICHARD : Wait, madam. I need to speak with you. You have a daughter named Elizabeth, who is virtuous and beautiful, aristocratic and full of grace.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : And does she have to die for this?

RICHARD : I intend to make her queen of England.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : Tell me, who will be the king? RICHARD : The one who makes her queen, of course. Who else should it be?

QUEEN ELIZABETH : What, you?

RICHARD : Yes, exactly. Me. What do you think, madam?

QUEEN ELIZABETH : She’ll never agree to this.

RICHARD : This is not the way to win your daughter.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : There isn’t any other way, unless you took on another form and became someone else.

RICHARD : Tell her that I, her king, am her lowly subject.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : But she, your subject, hates such a king.

RICHARD : Be eloquent on my behalf.

QUEEN ELIZABETH : I’m going. Write to me very soon and I’ll let you know what she thinks.

RICHARD : Give her a kiss from me, her true love. And so, goodbye.

QUEEN ELIZABETH exits.

RATCLIFFE enters, with CATESBY.

RICHARD : Hello! What’s the news?

RATCLIFFE : My noble king, a powerful fleet of ships sails on the western coast. It seems that Richmond is the navy’s admiral. The ships are drifting off the coast waiting for Buckingham to help them come ashore.

RICHARD : Catesby go to the duke of Norfolk.

CATESBY : I will my lord, as fast as I can.

STANLEY enters.

RICHARD : Stanley, what news do you have?

STANLEY : Richmond is sailing on the sea.

RICHARD : What’s he doing there?

STANLEY : I don’t know, mighty king. I can only guess.

RICHARD : Well, what do you guess? STANLEY : That he’s coming to England to claim the crown.

RICHARD : Is the throne empty? Is the army without a leader? Is the king dead?

Therefore, tell me, what is he doing at sea?

STANLEY : Unless it’s what I said, your Majesty, I have no idea.

RICHARD : Where is your army, then, to beat him back?

STANLEY : My good lord, my army is in the north.

RICHARD : What are they doing in the north when they should be in the west serving their king?

STANLEY : They haven’t been commanded to go to the west, mighty king. If your Majesty would like, I’ll send them wherever you like.

RICHARD : Then go gather your men, but leave behind your son, George Stanley. Make sure your faith is firm, or he has little chance of keeping his head.

He exits.

CATESBY returns.

CATESBY : Your Majesty, the duke of Buckingham has been captured—that’s the best news. The fact that the earl of Richmond has landed in’Milford with a mighty army is less good news, but it must be told.

RICHARD : Away towards Salisbury! Someone must bring Buckingham to Salisbury. Everyone else, march on with me.

They all exit.

ACT FIVE

SCENE 1

BUCKINGHAM enters with SHERIFF and guards leading him to his execution.

BUCKINGHAM : Won’t King Richard let me speak with him?

SHERIFF : No, my good lord. So be calm.

BUCKINGHAM : Today I’m going to get what I said I wished would happen to me if I was ever false to King Edward’s children or his wife’s allies. Margaret’s curse has come true. I have done wrong, so l will suffer wrong.

They all exit. SCENE 2

RICHMOND, OXFORD, BLUNT, HERBERT, and others enter with drummers and flag bearers.

RICHMOND : Fellow soldiers and my loyal friends suffering under that tyrant Richard, we have marched all the way to the centre of England without encountering any opposition. And now we receive encouraging news from my stepfather Stanley: Richard is now near the town of Leicester, only one day’s march from us here in Tamworth. In God’s name, let’s continue in high spirits, my courageous friends.

They all exit.

RICHARD, dressed in his armour, enters with NORFOLK, SURREY, and others.

RICHARD : Let’s pitch our tents right here in Bosworth Field. My Lord of Surrey.

Put my tent up! I’ll lie here tonight. Does anyone know the number of the enemy’s troops?

NORFOLK : Six or seven thousand, at most.

RICHARD : Our troops are three times bigger than that. Besides, the king’s name is a tower of strength; the opposition doesn’t have that advantage. Come, noble gentlemen, let us look at our battle plan, tomorrow is a busy day.

They all exit

RICHMOND, Sir William Brandon, OXFORD, DORSET, HERBERT, BLUNT, and others enter on the other side of the stage. Some soldiers pitch RICHMOND'S tent.

RICHMOND : The sunset was golden and left a bright track in the sky, which indicates that tomorrow will be a good day. Come, gentlemen, let’s discuss tomorrow’s action in my tent.

RICHARD, NORFOLK, RATCLIFFE, CATESBY, and others enter in RICHARD’S tent.

RICHARD : What time is it?

CATESBY : It’s dinnertime, my lord. It’s nine o’clock.

RICHARD : I’m not going to eat dinner tonight. Give me some ink and paper. Is everything ready?

CATESBY : Yes, my lord. Everything’s ready.

RICHARD : Send a junior officer to Stanley’s regiment to tell Stanley to bring his men here before sunrise—if he wants to see his son George alive. CATESBY exits.

RICHARD : (to soldiers) Get me some wine. Get a soldier to stand watch outside my tent. Saddle my white horse Surrey for battle tomorrow. Ratcliffe!

RATCLIFFE : Yes, my lord?

RICHARD : Make sure my guard is on duty and leave me alone.

RATCLIFFE and the other attendants exit. RICHARD sleeps.

STANLEY to RICHMOND in his tent, lords and others attending.

STANLEY : Let fortune and victory be yours! Goodbye. Be brave and do well!

RICHMOND : Again, good night, kind lords and gentlemen.

He sleeps.

The GHOST OF PRINCE EDWARD, King Henry Vi's son, enters.

GHOST OF PRINCE EDWARD : (to RICHARD) I will weigh heavily on your soul tomorrow. Remember how you stabbed me at Tewksbury! (to RICHMOND) Be cheerful, Richmond. I, King Henry’s son, will provide you with comfort.

He exits

The GHOST OF KING HENRY VI enters.

GHOST OF KING HENRY VI : (to RICHARD) When I was still alive, you stabbed my body, the body of God’s blessed king. Remember the Tower and me there. Despair, and die! (to RICHMOND) Because you are virtuous, you must be the conqueror! Harry comforts you in your sleep: live and prosper!

He exits

The GHOST OF CLARENCE enters.

GHOST OF CLARENCE : (to RICHARD) It’s me, poor Clarence, whom you betrayed to death! Despair, and die! (to RICHMOND) Good angels protect your fight! Live and prosper!

He exits.

The GHOSTS OF the two young PRINCES enter.

GHOSTS OF PRINCES : (to RICHARD) Dream about your nephews killed in the Tower. Your nephews’ souls command that you despair and die! (to RICHMOND) Sleep, Richmond, sleep in peace and wake in joy.

They exit.

The GHOST OF HASTINGS enters.

GHOST OF HASTINGS : (to RICHARD) You violent, guilty man, wake up full of guilt and end your days in a bloody battle! Despair, and die! (to RICHMOND) Arm yourself, fight, and win for beautiful England’s sake!

He exits.

The GHOST OF ANNE enters.

GHOST OF ANNE : (to RICHARD) Tomorrow in battle think of me and fall on your sword: despair, and die! (to RICHMOND) You quiet soul, sleep a quiet sleep.

Dream of success and happy victory.

She exits.

The GHOST OF BUCKINGHAM enters.

GHOST OF BUCKINGHAM : (to RICHARD) I was the first to help you to the crown and the last to feel the effects of your tyranny. Think of Buckingham when you’re fighting tomorrow, and die terrified of the sins you’ve committed! (to RICHMOND) Be cheerful and don’t worry. God and good angels fight on your side.

He exits.

RICHARD wakes up.

RICHARD : Oh cowardly conscience, how you’re torturing me! Alas, 1 hate myself instead, because of the hateful deeds I’ve committed. I am a villain. But I’m lying; I’m not a villain. Fool, speak well of yourself. Fool, do not flatter yourself.

RATCLIFFE : My lord.

RICHARD : Oh Ratcliffe, I had a terrifying dream! What do you think, will my friends prove loyal?

RATCLIFFE : No doubt, my lord.

RICHARD : Oh Ratcliffe, I’m afraid, I’m afraid—

RATCLIFFE : No, my good lord, don’t be afraid of dreams.

RICHARD : Ghosts have frightened me more than ten thousand of Richmond’s soldiers could. They exit.

RICFIMOND’s LORDS enter his tent and go to where he is sitting.

LORDS : Good morning, Richmond, how did you sleep?

RICHMOND : Since you left, I’ve been enjoying the sweetest sleep and most promising dreams I’ve ever had, my lords. It’s time to put on my armour and instruct the troops, (to his soldiers) I can’t tell you much right now, loyal countrymen, because we don’t have time. But know this:

We have God and a good cause on our side. The prayers of saints and those that Richard wronged support us. So, in the name of God and all the good that will come of this battle, march with your flags high and draw your swords.

They all exit.

RICFIARD, RATCLIFFE, attendants, and soldiers enter.

RICHARD : Did anyone see the sun today?

RATCLIFFE : I didn’t, my lord.

RICHARD : Then it refuses to shine. It should have risen an hour ago. It’ll be a black day for somebody today.

NORFOLK enters.

NORFOLK : Get ready, my lord. The enemy is making its appearance on the battlefield.

RICHARD : Hurry, hurry—prepare my horse. Tell Lord Stanley to bring his army. I will lead my soldiers to the field. March on, be brave in battle remember who you are.

Drum heard far off.

RICHARD : Listen! I hear their drums. Fight, gentlemen of England! Fight, brave landlords!

They all exit.

Blasts of military music (trumpets and. drums) NORFOLK and CATESBY enter with soldiers fighting.

CATESBY : Help, my lord of Norfolk, help, help! The king performs more wonders than seem humanly possible, challenging every enemy he sees. His horse is killed, so he’s fighting on foot, risking his life to look for Richmond. Help, dear lord, or the battle will be lost!

RICFIARD enters. RICHARD : A horse, a horse, I’d give my kingdom for a horse!

CATESBY : Get off the field, my lord, i’ll find you another horse.

RICHARD : 1 think there are six Richmonds on the field. I’ve killed five that looked like him, anyway. A horse, a horse! I’d give my kingdom for a horse!

They all exit.

SCENE 5

Blasts of military music (trumpets and drums). RICFIARD and RICFIMOND enter; they fight. RICFIARD is killed. The trumpet sounds to signal a retreat. RICFIMOND retreats. RICFIMOND and STANLEY, bearing the crown, return with several lords.

RICHMOND : Well done victorious friends. The day is ours. The bloody dog is dead. STANLEY : (offering him the crown) Courageous Richmond, you fought well. Here,

I’ve taken back the stolen crown .Wear it, enjoy it, and make much of it. RICHMOND : Great God of heaven, say amen to all this! But, tell me, is young George Stanley alive?

STANLEY : He is, my lord, and safe in Leicester, where, if you’d like, we can retreat to. RICHMOND : England has long been so crazy that she was willing to hurt herself. Now let Richmond and Elizabeth, the true heirs of each royal house, be joined together! And let their heirs enrich the future with peace! Peace can live again.

So that England may live a long life like this!

They all exit.