In this essay on the Plantagenet monarchs, his perspective on Richard III is evidently shaped by Tudor propagandists including More, Holinshed, and Shakespeare. He writes, ‘Richard came to ye Throne after having spilt much innocent Blood; ‘tis unknown how long he had form’d his ambitious designs.’
Image: A handwritten page, in black ink copperplate handwriting on slightly aged paper. An archivist's pencil has added the reference 'GEO ADDL MSS 32 110' in the top right corner. The main text reads: 'Edward V. Edward succeeded his Father, but by ye intrigue of his Uncle ye D. of Gloucester, he did not live to be crown'd, for he & his Brother were smother'd in ye Tower. Richard III. Richard came to ye Throne after having spilt much innocent Blood, 'tis unknown how long he had form'd his ambitious designs, but most authors seem to lay ye D. of Clarences death & attainder (which disabl'd his Children from succeeding to ye Crown) to Richard's door, as well as ye having Edward IV children declar'd illegitimate, & afterwards murder'd. When these acts of cruelty were committed he was ye only remaining Male Heir of ye York family, Edward IV had left a daughter whom Richard, to secure all things, intended to marry, but was first forc'd to put his Wife out of ye Way. Ye 1st year of his Reign was chiefly taken up in quelling a very great Rebellion which was rais'd by ye D. of Buckingham (who had been his chief assistant in getting ye throne, & either broke with him on being refus'd ye Earldom & Possessions of Hereford, or on his Putting ye two Young P.s to death) & others to dethrone him & put ye E. of Richmond, ye last of ye Lancastrian family, in his place. But this was soon put an end to ye D. of Buckingham being taken & beheaded at Salisbury.
