Richard I, Richard II and Richard III
Nigel Saul
Three King Richards ruled England in the middle ages. All had memorable reigns. Richard I ('Coeur de Lion', 1189-99) was a crusading hero; Richard II (1377-99) was an authoritarian aesthete who was deposed and murdered; while Richard III (1483-85) was the most famous villain in English history, usually held guilty of the murder of his nephews, the Princes in the Tower. This highly readable joint biography shows how much the three kings had in common, apart from their names. All were younger sons, not expected to come to the throne; all failed to produce an heir, leaving instability on their deaths; all were cultured and pious; and all died violently. All have attracted accusations but also fascination. In comparing them, Nigel Saul tells three gripping stories and shows the qualities it took to be a medieval king.
