A* essay (L5)
‘Richard's failure to consolidate his position as king in the years 1483-5 was due to his own
mistakes.’ Assess the validity of this view.
I disagree with the proposed view to a strong extent because the technicalities of his claim
to the throne, the timeframe of his reign and sheer misfortune ensured that he faced
unfavourable circumstances for his consolidation of power that were not a product of his
own mistakes. However, key mistakes, such as his over-reliance on his northern retinue and,
importantly, his exacerbation of the worsening Anglo-French relationship, were absolutely
critical in the consolidation of his position and should not be discounted.
One of Richard III’s mistakes was the regional imbalance of his base of support, leading him
to over-rely on his northern retinue. His southern support had decreased dramatically with
the removal of Hastings and Buckingham, and it meant his main support base was largely
concentrated in the less influential, less wealthy north, undermining his position as king.
However, in response to this argument that Richard III was over-reliant on his northern
support, it is relevant to bring up the timeframe of his reign. In comparison to Edward IV (his
late elder brother and predecessor), who had over 20 years to bestow patronage and
develop loyal relationships with his nobles, Richard III had just 2 years to expand his small
support base. Coupled with the relatively empty coffers inherited from Edward IV’s reign,
‘Richard's failure to consolidate his position as king in the years 1483-5 was due to his own
mistakes.’ Assess the validity of this view.
I disagree with the proposed view to a strong extent because the technicalities of his claim
to the throne, the timeframe of his reign and sheer misfortune ensured that he faced
unfavourable circumstances for his consolidation of power that were not a product of his
own mistakes. However, key mistakes, such as his over-reliance on his northern retinue and,
importantly, his exacerbation of the worsening Anglo-French relationship, were absolutely
critical in the consolidation of his position and should not be discounted.
One of Richard III’s mistakes was the regional imbalance of his base of support, leading him
to over-rely on his northern retinue. His southern support had decreased dramatically with
the removal of Hastings and Buckingham, and it meant his main support base was largely
concentrated in the less influential, less wealthy north, undermining his position as king.
However, in response to this argument that Richard III was over-reliant on his northern
support, it is relevant to bring up the timeframe of his reign. In comparison to Edward IV (his
late elder brother and predecessor), who had over 20 years to bestow patronage and
develop loyal relationships with his nobles, Richard III had just 2 years to expand his small
support base. Coupled with the relatively empty coffers inherited from Edward IV’s reign,
