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There was a non-fiction book last year (The Plantagenets) that rounded out more of the story (for me), and I've definitely seen GoT characters based on real life people.They found his body a couple of years ago, (with him I mean Richard III, last King of York) under a parking place. About time he got a proper burial. It is proved by DNA-technics that it was him.I think that's what drew me in the first place--the parallels to history
Thats quite true. When newer historians have gone over the sources they found none from the same time that said bad things about him. (well, not that bad things). Then Sir Thomas Moore wrote a history of Richard. He was 5 when Richard died. He got his information from some tales from The Bishop of Ely, John Morton, a contemporary with Richard, had told him. Morton was the man behind the uprisings and Richards archenemy so it is hardly an unbiased source. Then the historians have built much of what is known on Moores writings. The humpback and the twisted arm is also inventions. He had one shoulder that was slightly higher than the other but no hump. He was as many records show, a good soldier and leader of men and administrated the Northern part of England until his brother Edward IV died. Then he made preparations for a coronation of the oldest of his children but put them on a halt when a bishop called Stillington if I remember correctly come forward and showed proof that Edward was previously married. Therefore the Princes were bastards and not Kingmaterial. After that there is much fogginess during his two years of power but i don't think he was any more ruthless than any other king. Since i have a cynic streak i think he was probably less so and thats the reason he failed. If he had been really ruthless he could have killed the major players, like Morton and other backers of Henry VII, at their first failed attempt of a rising in 1484. He didn't, instead he either exiled them like morton or told them to repent and go home to their castles and pay a fine. A year later they tried again with better success. For a good read on the subject, try Annette Carsons The Maligned King. She goes through it all. She goes overboard a few times i think. He was no angel i mean but it is refreshing to have the facts interpreted from an other angle sometimes.
The Lionheart was more french than English. But i don't believe he was very noble. He was an excellent leader of men in battle but was easily bored with other duties. He is probably the english king that has spent the least time in england. about 6 months. Otherwise he was in france, spain or the holy land. He liked the place where he grow up, his castle in france, much more so he only was in england when he absolutely had to.
