Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII, 1399–1509 - 4 The Yorkists divided,…

The idea

Richard III's reign began with a coup: in 1483 he took the throne from his nephew Edward V, relying on claims of illegitimacy. This seizure split the Yorkist elite and gave opponents a moral cause. The princes in the Tower then disappeared, probably murdered, creating a lasting stain that fuelled rebellion and foreign criticism. Buckingham's rebellion in 1483, though crushed, showed noble disaffection and linked Richard's enemies to Henry Tudor. Compared with Edward IV, Richard faced more plots, less financial security and a narrower power base. His reliance on northern retainers alienated southern gentry, while Edward had built broad support and stable finances. These challenges explain why Richard fell in 1485.

What earns the marks

• Explains how Richard's seizure of the throne in 1483 was significant because it broke hereditary succession and divided the Yorkist affinity, turning some nobles and gentry against him.
• Analyses the impact of the disappearance of the princes in the Tower: it removed Edward V and his brother as focal points for opposition but also created a propaganda weapon for Henry Tudor and foreign powers.
• Assesses the Duke of Buckingham's rebellion as evidence of noble disaffection, noting its failure but also its role in linking dissident Yorkists with Henry Tudor's cause.
• Uses specific evidence, such as the dates 1483 and 1485, the names of key figures (Edward V, Buckingham, Henry Tudor) and the nature of the challenges, to support judgements about the severity of Richard's problems.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating the disappearance of the princes as a simple fact without considering its political significance.

  Put it right: Explain how uncertainty and rumour damaged Richard's reputation and aided his enemies.

• Assuming Buckingham's rebellion was a minor event because it failed.

  Put it right: Show how it revealed the extent of disaffection and provided a bridge between Yorkist dissidents and Henry Tudor.

• Presenting Richard III as uniquely unsuccessful without comparing him to Edward IV.

  Put it right: Use specific points of comparison such as financial stability, noble support and susceptibility to rebellion.

Exam tips

• Plan your answer around the four named challenges, ensuring each is analysed for its significance rather than merely described.
• Use precise dates and names to support your arguments, but avoid narrating events without linking them to the challenges Richard faced.
• When comparing Richard with Edward IV, focus on relative failures in political management, finance and noble relations, and reach a clear judgement on how far these explain Richard's downfall.