On this day in history, 2nd October 1452, King Richard III, the last Plantagenet king, was born at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire.
Richard was the youngest surviving child of Richard, 3rd Duke of York, and Cecily Neville.
Richard claimed the English throne in June 1483, claiming that his brother Edward IV's sons were illegitimate because Edward had been pre-contracted to another woman, Eleanor Butler, when he married Elizabeth Woodville.
Richard III's reign was only two years long. He was killed at the Battle of Bosworth on 22nd August 1485, and Henry Tudor claimed the throne as Henry VII.
You can click here to find out more about Richard III in our Tudor Society archives of articles and talks. You can also enjoy a Richard III-themed magazine here. Historian Toni Mount produced an excellent online course on Richard III for MedievalCourses.com.
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