Royal Blood
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15
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Average rating4
In this comprehensive, meticulously researched new book, renowned litigator Bertram Fields goes back more than 500 years to offer a compelling look at the case of Richard III. Applying the same modern techniques he successfully uses in the courtroom, Fields outlines and evaluates the arguments on both sides, weighs the evidence, and offers the definitive truth about this extraordinary man. Fields examines the earliest biographers of Richard, exposing the political, cultural, and geographical biases inherent in their portrayals and reveals how much "fact" was actually gossip and disinformation, including that given the world by More and Shakespeare. He sets the stage for the coming drama with a lucid and colorful picture of the War of the Roses, the long struggle between the houses of York (white rose) and Lancaster (red rose), that put Richard's family on the throne. He vividly brings to life the key players, including the weak but saintly Henry VI, used and deceived by everyone, including his rapacious queen; the womanizing soldier-king Edward IV, bribed into inaction by the French king's gold; his conniving wife, Elizabeth Woodville; the charming but treacherous brother Clarence; Richard's loyal wife, Anne Neville, kidnapped and hidden away as a kitchen maid; and Henry Tudor, the exile with virtually no legitimate claim to rule, who schemed at Richard's betrayal and replaced him on the throne. Setting them against the rich tapestry of the period, the author conveys a fresh and insightful view of the many players in this royal drama and analyzes their motives and machinations as they vie for the power of the crown. Clearing away the dust of time, Royal Blood attempts to answer the intriguing questions inherent in the drama: Was Edward IV's marriage truly legal? Were his sons, Edward, Prince of Wales, and Richard, Duke of York illegitimate? What role did Richard play -- or not -- in his brother Clarence's death? Were the bones found in the Tower of London those of the young princes? Was there even a murder -- were the boys instead removed from the Tower and raised in secrecy? And if they were cold-bloodedly killed who else would have wanted them dead? The neurotic, mercurial Buckingham? Henry VII himself? Royal Blood ends with a stunning reenvisioning of British and world history: what if Richard had never accepted the crown? What if he had instead insisted his young nephew reign as Edward V? How would our lives be changed? - Jacket flap.
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Spoiler Alert***
The fate of the Princes in the Tower has long been one that has drawn speculation and debate. Many historians have laid the blame at their Uncle's feet, claiming that he murdered them in order to claim the throne for himself, and thereby removing any claim that they would have. Bertram Fields goes through all claims, and documents that he could to look at all possibilities and theories that surround their mysterious disappearance. He takes each theory and fleshes them out.
While reading through reviews, I was almost put off from reading this book, but upon the recommendation of others I decided to give it a go. I am really glad I did. While to some, the intricate details can be a put off, to many, you cannot draw a conclusion one way or the other without all the details. No lawyer goes to trial without as many of the details as he can get, witnesses and so forth, in order to make his case. This book is no different. It takes on the case from each side, and draws as many inferences as it can, while also destroying many of the conclusions that those who have written before have drawn.
I also have to admit that I laughed each time he called out Alison Weir on her “conclusions.” As she claims to “know what was on Richard's mind” when she writes, she declared in her book, “The Princes In The Tower” that she has solved the mystery. Fields brings back the case and shows that it is still as open as it was before. Without any DNA testing and conclusive proof, we are never going to know. However, given that it is 500 years after the fact, we can never have the conclusive proof, without finding a diary that was written to where the author confesses to the deed. Bertram Fields does a wonderful job in bringing the case around and showing all sides, those involved, and who COULD have had a motive to commit the deed. In my opinion, the only person he did not accuse which would have had a motive, would be Lady Stanley. BUT, he draws the case out and fleshes it out in a way that historians can look at it, and begin anew the case of the missing princes. Since so much time has gone by we may never have a definite answer, but the case against Richard has grown considerably weaker, and new suspects emerge with their own possibilities.
I think this book was a great read, and highly recommend it to anyone wishing to learn more about this case and also as a great starting point to anyone who might want begin learning about this fascinating period in history.
