Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1926-11-18

ALERT PAYsoN TERHUlgE
Richard III

N genius and degenerate, great king
and greater criminal = stands oui
through all time as the heavy vii.
lain" OF medieval Engiand's history
drama And that same drama was one
OF the bloOdiest and most turbulent
ever enacted
During the four centuries since the
Norman Duke William had conquered
England many changes had come TO
the island kingdom Most important
Of these was the substitution OF Eng
lish for French as a court and ma
uonal language. The N0rmans had
tried to make England a French
speaking nation. The stubborn Saxons
had refused to give up their cruder
native tongue. Little by little, thanks
to this resistance, the earlier English,
modified by certain French words and
lingual forms. became the accepted
tongue OF the country. This was prac-
tically the same as the English we
speak today.
The Black princes son, Richard II.
was depOsed by his cousin. Henry OF
Lancaster (son of the Black princes
younger brother). who took the throne
as Henry ~. The usurpers son.
Henry v. conquered nearly all Of
France and died while still a young
man. His infant son. Henry VI, was
called king OF France as well as of
England. But while he was still a
youth Joan Of Arc reused France to
cast OF the British yoke Then, hav-
! ing no longer foreign foe on whom to
vent their aggressive, warllke tempers,
the English turned against each other
In series of civil wars.
The cause OF these conflicts was as
follows: Henry vi was weak and
semi-imbecile The powerful duke Of
York claimed descent from a brother
Of the Black prince older than the
brother from whom Henry was de-
scended. He therefore declared him
self rightful heir to the throne, and |
went TO war TO make good his title |
His followers adopted the white rose
as their badge while the Lancastrlans
tHenry's adherents) wore red roses
The contest thus became known as
1.-THE Wars OF the Roses II began In
1855 and endured of and on for thirty
years.
The duke of York was killed at the
Battle OF Wakefield, 1460, but his
three sons, Edward. George and Rich
ard, kept up the strife. Success fell
first to one faction and then TO the
other; and intervals of peace re
CURED but IN the main the nation
had little breathing space. At length.
at the battles of Barnet and of Tewkes-
bury. 1905 (where on both occasions
Richard led the Yorkist's vanguard to
victory, Edward wholly routed the
Lancast-ians and was undisputed
king OF England, with the title Of Ed
ward ~ His brother George. who
had once turned traitor but had come
back TO the Yorkist cause, was duke
Of Clarence, and Richard. the young
est brother, was duke OF Gloucester.
To make Edwards throne more Sc
cure. Henry vi and the Iatter's son,
prince of Wales. were muir
dered The crime Is generally laid at
Richards door. as is the subsequent
murder OF George. duke of Clarence.
~ died In 1888. leaving his
two little sons under Richards
guardianship and appointing Richard
Lord Protector Of the Kingdom" dur ..
ing the elder sons minority.
Richard thus found himself with
,nly two lives between him and the
.rown of England. He laid his plans .
Tfth a demOniac ingenuity and set :
tut at once to fulfill them His first
Itep was 20 execute on various pre-
exits such noblemen as were adher-
snts Of Edwards two boys. Then. by
Obbying, threats and false claims, he
aused an irregular election to be held
ND had Bafl fana6Esg psaclatns hiul king
rhe two little princes, Edwards sons,
we're put out OF the way. presumably
y Richards hired assansins. and the
Lord Protector" having waded TO the
hrone through his kinfolk's blood.
egan his reign as King Richard III.
% the surprise OF all. he governed the
ouptry justly and wisely.
But the beaten Lancastrians were
rowing FESTIVE. Their party's only
emaining claimant to the crown was
Ienry Tudor. earl OF Richmond Odd
} enough, he also had a strong trace
I the ancient British blood. thus
hitting in himself the Norman and ,
arly English strains- BE had been /
anlshed. but In 1885 he returned to
ngland and drew to him a powerful
lction. Richard. at the head Of q
Irge army. marched Ia person against
Inn. The two forces met at BoswDrth
! August p. 1885. Aftef = hOfiy
infested battle. 10 which the king
srfOrmed prOdigies. Of vai0T, Rsch- :
ond won decisive victory. Kicfl- {
d was slain on the field Richmond :
Ime to the throne IS Henry VII, and =
bis cause By marrying
rincess Elizabeth Of York. thus unit
Z the rival houses OF York and Lam
ster.
Richard III Is described BY Shake
care and other Sixteenth century -,
A..