Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York

Family: House of York · Role: duke · First appears: Edward IV 39

Richard of Shrewsbury was the son of Edward IV and brother of Edward V, with five sisters: Elizabeth of York, Cecily of York, Bridget of York, Anne of York, and Katherine of York. He was also counted among Edward IV’s family alongside his base son Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount Lisle. The Yorkist claim stood in rivalry with Henry VI, and “began not by warre, but by law to chalenge the crowne.”

Around 1483, on his deathbed, Edward IV entrusted the governance of Richard and Edward V during their minority. After Edward IV’s death, their uncle Richard III became their protector; Richard was in sanctuary when the council agreed that “if he were not deliuered, he should be fetched,” and sent Thomas Bourchier to ask Elizabeth Woodville to release him so he could appear before Edward V. At the time, he had been severely ill and was only beginning to recover. In the account of 1485, Richard III was said to have deprived his innocent nephews of their lives and estates.