King Richard the Third

England’s King Richard the Third -
the last Yorkist king and one not preferred.
His defeat by Henry brought the Middle Ages’ end.
If he had a funeral, did anyone even attend?

This same king in Shakespeare’s play
was a product of the Tudor-thinking way.
Shakespeare employed some exaggeration
such as having Richard die in crazed desperation.

Scoliosis is a condition that the King had,
but Shakespeare had Richard appear really bad,
like a “bunch-backed toad” with withered arm.
Who would be giving THIS king any smarm?

As for murder of his Lady Anne,
his wife died from TB and was murdered by no man.
Historically, he loved and mourned her when she died,
but in the play, King Richard was very dry-eyed

Shakespeare’s King Richard was a fiend,
who toward murdering relatives leaned.
Indeed, the kids in the tower were more than just removed,
and that’s a fact from history that cannot be disproved.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Kerr Avatar
February 27, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Congratulations, Andrea, on your triumph in this contest on true merit. A work so detailed, informative, and carefully crafted, Howard
Gasun Avatar
February 26, 2026 at 12:53 AM
This is superb my dear poet friend Andrea! I love it so much as it's written so well in rhyme. Belated Congrats on your well-deserved win! Thanks a lot for sharing and belated thanks for my win in your limerick contest. God bless you always dear. Hugs..hugs
Alex Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 6:58 PM
"the kids in the tower were more than just removed, and that’s a fact from history that cannot be disproved. " You have portrayed the features of King Richard III with a mix of history and facts. Congratulations!
Dietrich Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Thanks, Chris
Dronsfield Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Congratulations on an excellent piece Andrea!
Dietrich Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 8:11 PM
A big thanks, Ken
Liguori Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Congrats on *fifth* place. Job well done.
Fowler Avatar
February 25, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Fabulous Andrea. Congratulations! :)
Kendrick Avatar
February 15, 2026 at 5:01 AM
Reads like a good contender for the contest to me. I enjoyed reading this information about him. I can imagine having scoliosis back in the day when nothing could be done to fix it was really hard on him both physically with a lot of pain and psychologically/emotionally. Sara K
Etgen-Baker Avatar
February 11, 2026 at 2:59 PM
wow! best wishes with this contest entry
Hind Avatar
February 9, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Hmmm, history is interesting. I like the Elizabethian age so much. Good luck with the contest !!
Rodrigues Avatar
February 9, 2026 at 12:07 PM
I went in the other direction with my poem. Seems Shakespeare didn’t like him at all or heard tall tale…who knows.
Dietrich Avatar
February 9, 2026 at 12:18 PM
A product of his times, Shakespeare either truly hated that king or he needed to be politically correct and satisfy the ruling class .
Crandall Avatar
February 9, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Interesting - sounds like Shakespeare took a little poetic license!
Dietrich Avatar
February 9, 2026 at 12:16 PM
He took a lot. Haha. A lot of English kings were monsters in those times. But it mostly had to do with his lineage that Shakespeare smeared him .
Rolland Avatar
February 9, 2026 at 6:25 AM
thanks poet for new details, rehabilitating the story, it is quite interesting, Few in France know this king, applause
Dietrich Avatar
February 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Thanks, Yann. I never knew about him until studying for this contest
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