Richard III – The Last Plantagenet

This episode explores the dramatic and controversial reign of Richard III, the final king of the Plantagenet dynasty. Initially a loyal brother and brilliant military commander under Edward IV, Richard was widely respected for his discipline and administrative talent. But everything changed after Edward IV's sudden death in 1483. Appointed Protector for the young Edward V, Richard quickly moved to neutralize the powerful Woodville family and placed the young king and his brother in the Tower of London — where the boys later disappeared, fueling centuries of suspicion. Richard declared Edward IV's children illegitimate and claimed the crown for himself. As king, he implemented legal reforms, strengthened justice, and promoted fair governance, yet his legitimacy remained deeply questioned. Rebellion soon rose around Henry Tudor, a distant Lancastrian exile. Their armies met at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, where Richard fought bravely but was betrayed by key nobles. Surrounded and refusing to flee, he was killed — the last English king to die in battle. Richard III's death ended the Wars of the Roses and the Plantagenet line, ushering in the Tudor dynasty. His legacy remains divided: villain or misunderstood reformer, tyrant or tragic figure, he stands as one of England's most debated monarchs.