Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard the Third

Nonfiction, History, British, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard the Third by Horace Walpole, VolumesOfValue
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Horace Walpole ISBN: 1230000143220
Publisher: VolumesOfValue Publication: June 19, 2013
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Horace Walpole
ISBN: 1230000143220
Publisher: VolumesOfValue
Publication: June 19, 2013
Imprint:
Language: English

Excerpt
It occurred to me some years ago, that the picture of Richard the Third, as drawn by historians, was a character formed by prejudice and invention. I did not take Shakespeare’s tragedy for a genuine representation, but I did take the story of that reign for a tragedy of imagination. Many of the crimes imputed to Richard seemed improbable; and, what was stronger, contrary to his interest. A few incidental circumstances corroborated my opinion; an original and important instrument was pointed out to me last winter, which gave rise to the following’ sheets; and as it was easy to perceive, under all the glare of encomiums which historians have heaped on the wisdom of Henry the Seventh, that he was a mean and unfeeling tyrant, I suspected that they had blackened his rival, till Henry, by the contrast, should appear in a kind of amiable light. The more I examined their story, the more I was confirmed in my opinion: and with regard to Henry, one consequence I could not help drawing; that we have either no authentic memorials of Richard’s crimes, or, at most, no account of them but from Lancastrian historians; whereas the vices and injustice of Henry are, though palliated, avowed by the concurrent testimony of his panegyrists...

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Excerpt
It occurred to me some years ago, that the picture of Richard the Third, as drawn by historians, was a character formed by prejudice and invention. I did not take Shakespeare’s tragedy for a genuine representation, but I did take the story of that reign for a tragedy of imagination. Many of the crimes imputed to Richard seemed improbable; and, what was stronger, contrary to his interest. A few incidental circumstances corroborated my opinion; an original and important instrument was pointed out to me last winter, which gave rise to the following’ sheets; and as it was easy to perceive, under all the glare of encomiums which historians have heaped on the wisdom of Henry the Seventh, that he was a mean and unfeeling tyrant, I suspected that they had blackened his rival, till Henry, by the contrast, should appear in a kind of amiable light. The more I examined their story, the more I was confirmed in my opinion: and with regard to Henry, one consequence I could not help drawing; that we have either no authentic memorials of Richard’s crimes, or, at most, no account of them but from Lancastrian historians; whereas the vices and injustice of Henry are, though palliated, avowed by the concurrent testimony of his panegyrists...

More books from VolumesOfValue

Cover of the book Roosevelt in the Bad Lands by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book The Impeachment of the House of Brunswick by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book The Luck of Thirteen by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book My Four Years in Germany by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book Mother Earth - Land Grants in Virginia 1607-1699 by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book A Voyage to New Holland, etc. in the Year 1699, Volumes I-II Complete by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book Surgical Experiences in South Africa 1899-1900 by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book Engraving: Its Origin, Processes, and History by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book White Slaves by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book Some Imagist Poets by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book The Discovery of Yellowstone Park by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book The Holy Roman Empire by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book Astounding SCI-FI Stories, Volume X by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book The Other Side of Evolution by Horace Walpole
Cover of the book Loyola and the Educational System of the Jesuits by Horace Walpole
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy