Biography of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York

Richard was Protector of England twice, once during Henry VI's illness in 1451, and again after the first battle of St. Albans in 1455, when the Yorkists captured Henry. Richard had commanded the right wing of the Yorkist army in that battle.

After being attainted by Parliament in November, 1459, Richard and his supporters fled to Ireland, where Richard had the support of the Irish nobles.

After being killed at the battle of Wakefield, Richard was beheaded and his head placed on the gates of the city of York, topped with a paper crown.

Richard was buried first at Pontefract, before being moved to Fotheringhay.

A character in Shakespeare's plays, 1, 2, and 3 Henry VI, as the Duke of York.

In Henry VI, Part 2, Richard explains his claim to the English throne: "My mother, being heir unto the crown, Married Richard Earl of Cambridge, who was To Edmund Langley, Edward the Third's fifth son, son. By her I claim the kingdom: she was heir To Roger Earl of March, who was the son Of Edmund Mortimer, who married Philippe, Sole daughter unto Lionel Duke of Clarence; So, if the issue of the elder son Succeed before the younger, I am King." Henry VI, Part 2 Act 2, scene 2

Late in Henry VI, Part 2, York leads an army of Irishmen to England to back his claim to the throne and says: "From Ireland thus comes York to claim his right And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: Ring bells aloud, burn bonfires clear and bright, To entertain great England's lawful king. Ah, sancta majestas! who would not buy thee dear? Let them obey that knows not how to rule; This hand was made to handle nought but gold." Henry VI, Part 2 Act 5, scene 1

In Henry VI, Part 3, when Richard is captured after the battle of Wakefield, Queen Margaret taunts him: "What, was it you that would be England's king? Was't you that revell'd in our parliament And made a preachment of your high descent? Where are your mess of sons to back you now? The wanton Edward and the lusty George? And where's that valiant crook-back prodigy, Dicky your boy, that with his grumbling voice Was wont to cheer his dad in mutinies? Or, with the rest, where is your darling Rutland?" Henry VI, Part 3 Act 1, scene 4

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