‘Gloucester Was Determined to Steal the Throne from the Moment His Brother Died.’ Do You Agree
When Edward VI died in 1483, there was debate as to who was most suited to take up his position on the throne. It has been argued that Richard, Duke of Gloucester had himself set on usurping the throne from the rightful heir Edward V, as soon as his brother died. Others argue that it was never the case that his immediate wishes were to seize the throne; actions after his brother’s death led him to this decision. There is evidence for and against to support the principal statement.
It is suggested that the Duke of Gloucester did have his sights set on seizing the throne from the moment his brother died because Richard hated the Woodvilles and their influence over Edward V, He would do anything to stop them having control over his country. He believes they have no rights to his brothers role and it is said that he ‘ feared the Woodvilles threatened political exclusion and ruin’ as well as threatening Edward V’s ability to rule. On the other hand, if he had have wanted to become king immediately he would have been in London immediately; making plans and supported by force before the Woodvilles had chance to come down from Ludlow castle or even hear about the Kings death and this was not the case. But there is strong evidence to suggest that Gloucester resented his childhood, growing up within a civil war while staying loyal to his brother at the same time. It is not be stupid to assume that he resented a 12-year old child for having a higher claim to the throne than he did. The fact he felt more deserving of the position and more experienced to take it up made his aspirations to clench the throne even more evident. Furthermore, his loyalty to his brother and the Yorkist line would have been overlooked if Edward took control of the throne because Edward being so young, was vulnerable to usurpation even more so than Gloucester was and that would have put the Yorkist line of descent at risk, something that Gloucester certainly did not want.
It is suggested that the Duke of Gloucester did have his sights set on seizing the throne from the moment his brother died because Richard hated the Woodvilles and their influence over Edward V, He would do anything to stop them having control over his country. He believes they have no rights to his brothers role and it is said that he ‘ feared the Woodvilles threatened political exclusion and ruin’ as well as threatening Edward V’s ability to rule. On the other hand, if he had have wanted to become king immediately he would have been in London immediately; making plans and supported by force before the Woodvilles had chance to come down from Ludlow castle or even hear about the Kings death and this was not the case. But there is strong evidence to suggest that Gloucester resented his childhood, growing up within a civil war while staying loyal to his brother at the same time. It is not be stupid to assume that he resented a 12-year old child for having a higher claim to the throne than he did. The fact he felt more deserving of the position and more experienced to take it up made his aspirations to clench the throne even more evident. Furthermore, his loyalty to his brother and the Yorkist line would have been overlooked if Edward took control of the throne because Edward being so young, was vulnerable to usurpation even more so than Gloucester was and that would have put the Yorkist line of descent at risk, something that Gloucester certainly did not want.