Act 1

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Scene 1

The play opens with Richard, Duke of Gloucester, describing the victory celebrations that are happening around him after Edward IV, of the house of York, has defeated Henry VI, of the house of Lancaster. Richard speaks of the deformity which prevents him from being a good lover but makes him a good villain. He tells the audience of his devious plan to remove his brother Clarence from the line of succession so that he will be next in line to the throne. Clarence enters with a guard as he is led to the Tower and Richard, pretending to be horrified, promises to do everything he can to help him.

Richard then meets Lord Hastings, who has just been freed from the Tower, and they discuss the king’s sickness which means that he may not live longer. When Hastings has gone, Richard tells the audience that he will make sure that the king has Clarence executed before he dies and, furthermore, that he intends to marry Lady Anne Neville whose husband and father-in-law he killed in battle.
 

Scene 2

Lady Anne walks next to an open coffin with the body of King Henry VI, her dead father-in-law, in it. Overcome with grief, Lady Anne weeps and curses Richard who killed both him and his son, her husband. As she finishes cursing Richard himself joins the procession and orders them to put down the corpse. Anne is horrified and angrily accuses him of inhuman and unnatural deeds. He tries to excuse himself by telling her that Edward IV killed her husband, but when she confronts him he admits that it was him, but that it was because of love for her and because of the effect of her beauty on him.

Anne scornfully rejects his words of love, but he persists in convincing her of his devotion. When he presents his sword to her so that she might kill him, she lets the sword fall. Finally, when he promises to have Henry VI buried at Chertsey monastery and to weep repentant tears, she listens to him. By the time she leaves even Richard is surprised that he has convinced her of his love. He wonders, ‘Was ever woman in this humour woo'd? Was ever woman in this humour won?’ and declares, ‘I'll have her; but I will not keep her long’.
 

Scene 3

Queen Elizabeth is concerned that the king may die soon and she wonders what will happen to her and her children when he does. Her kinsmen, Grey and Rivers, try to comfort her. Buckingham arrives and comforts her with more good news, saying that the king is looking much better. Finally, Richard arrives with Lord Hastings and begins insinuating that Rivers was responsible for both Hastings’ and Clarence’s imprisonment. At this Elizabeth, also taunted and baited by Richard, threatens to tell the King.

Unannounced, Queen Margaret, the wife of the dead Henry VI and mother of his dead son, enters and begins to curse Richard as a ‘murderous villain’. She calls on God to revenge their murders and she curses the new royal family and their courtiers. Her most vicious curses are directed at Richard who she calls an ‘elvish-mark'd, abortive, rooting hog’. Queen Margaret leaves and the rest of the courtiers are called to the king. Richard is left along onstage and tells the audience that he has manipulated Hastings, Derby and Buckingham and intends to be revenged on Rivers, Vaughan and Grey. He also plans to ‘seem a saint, when most I play the devil’.  He arranges for two murderers to kill Clarence and warns them not to listen to his eloquent words but to murder him quickly.

Scene 4

In the Tower, Clarence tells Brakenbury that he had a terrible nightmare in which he was in a boat crossing the Burgundy with his brother Richard when Richard stumbled and pushed him overboard. Clarence described the horror of drowning and the even greater horror of the afterlife where he was in hell, suffering for all the sins he had committed in his life. Clarence begs Brackenbury to speak to the king for his pardon and to stay with him while he goes to sleep. Brackenbury leaves when Clarence falls asleep and the two murderers arrive to kill him.

The first murderer begins to question whether they should kill Clarence, but the second murderer convinces him to stay firm to his purpose. When Clarence awakes, he nearly convinces them not to kill him and eloquently reminds them that God is greater than the man who has paid them to kill him and he will judge them. Clarence even tells them to go to his brother Richard who will reward them for sparing his life, but the murderers tell him that Richard hates him and is the one who wants him dead. Finally the murderers refuse to listen to Clarence anymore. They stab Clarence and drown him in a barrel of wine.
 

Act 2

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At the palace, King Edward attempts to bring peace to his quarrelling court and makes Rivers and Hastings swear an oath of love and peace, as well as Queen Elizabeth and Dorset and Buckingham. Finally, Richard is called upon to swear an oath of love and peace. He does so, but at the same time he tells them all that Clarence is dead and insinuates that the Queen’s kinsmen knew of it because they had arranged his death. They are all horrified, especially Edward IV because he himself had reversed the order for his death. Grief and regret fall heavily on the king and, overwhelmed, he is taken to his rooms.

Scene 2

In the palace, the Duchess of York, mother of Clarence, Edward IV and Richard, tries to hide her grief from Clarence’s two children, but they have guessed that their father is dead. Furthermore, they guess that their uncle, Richard, is to blame for it. They say they will pray every day for God to avenge his death. As they speak Queen Elizabeth comes in wailing with grief. They learn that the king has just died and all of them grief for the dead king and for their uncertain future. The queen’s kinsmen try to help her to think about her young son and advise her to have him crowned as king straight away. They are distracted by the arrival of Richard and Buckingham who also advise that the young Prince Edward is taken quickly to London to be crowned.

Scene 3

In a street in London some citizens discuss the news of the king’s death and predict trouble for a land that is ruled by a child. They are fearful of the changes that lie ahead for the country at large and for themselves personally.

Scene 4

At the palace in London the Duchess of York and Queen Elizabeth and her younger son, the Duke of York, await the arrival of the young Prince Edward. As they wait, the young Duke of York tells them how Richard teased him by comparing him to a weed in the garden because he was growing up so fast. As they are waiting, a messenger arrives to tell them that Rivers, Grey and Vaughan have been imprisoned on the orders of Richard and Buckingham. At this bad news, Elizabeth foresees a future of destruction, death and massacre for her and her family, and, with the Duchess of York, leaves to take sanctuary with her son.

Act 3

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The young prince Edward arrives in London and is greeted by the Lord Mayor. Edward asks after his mother and brother, and Buckingham arranges for the young Duke of York to be brought to London to keep Edward company. Meanwhile Richard convinces Edward to spend the time before his funeral in the Tower, even though the young prince says he does not like the Tower. When the Duke of York arrives, he too is uncomfortable with staying in the Tower but Richard tells them they need have no fear and they are led away to the tower. Richard and Buckingham plot with Catesby against people who might interfere with their plans, including the princes’ other uncles, and Lord Hastings and Lord Stanley.

Scene 2

A messenger arrives from Lord Stanley to Lord Hastings with a warning to beware of Richard and the forthcoming council meetings. Hastings mocks Stanley’s fears and says that Richard means him no harm. When Catesby arrives to learn of Hastings’ intentions, Hastings approves of the executions of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, but does not support Richard’s claim to the throne. As Hastings goes with Buckingham to the Tower, he seems secure of his future, but Buckingham’s asides reveal that he will die there.
 

Scene 3

As Rivers, Grey and Vaughan are led away to be executed, they remember the curses of the old Queen Margaret. Rivers prays that her curses against Richard come true and he also prays for Elizabeth and the princes before he is killed. All three show defiance as they face death.

Scene 4

The council begins to plan Prince Edward’s coronation. During the meeting, Richard accuses Hastings of treachery and of conspiring against him with witchcraft. As he is led away to be executed, Hastings regrets that he ignored Lord Stanley’s warning and his earlier overconfidence. He also recalls Margaret’s curses and foretells a troubled future for England if Richard becomes king.

Scene 5

In the courtyard of the Tower of London, Richard and Buckingham pretend that there is a danger of attack and draw the attention of the Lord Mayor as they pretend to defend the Tower. When men appear with Hastings’ head, Richard also pretends to mourn his death. Richard sends Buckingham to spread rumours around London about Edward IV and to hint at the illegitimacy of his children, as well as his own illegitimacy.

Scene 6

A scrivener from London reflects on the swift death of the ‘good Lord Hastings’ after he has copied out the indictment against him and suspects ill dealings.

Scene 7

Buckingham reports back to Richard on the crowd’s reaction to his speeches about the illegitimacy of Edward IV and his children. Despite elaborating on Edward’s faults and detailing Richard’s good qualities, the crowd remained silent. Only a few men cheered and they were Buckingham’s men who had been told when to cheer. Buckingham then arranges for Richard to appear before the crowds along with the Lord Mayor.

Although Richard makes a show of refusing to appear before the crowds because he is praying, he soon makes an appearance between two Bishops and with a prayer book in his hands. Buckingham claims to speak for the crowd of Londoners when he tries to convince Richard to become King. When Richard refuses, the Lord Mayor and Catesby also try to convince him. Finally, Richard agrees to please the people and to become king. It is arranged that his coronation will take place the following day.

Act 4

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Scene 1

Queen Elizabeth, the Duchess of York and Anne have come to the Tower to visit the princes, but they are refused entry on Richard’s orders. They hear news that Richard intends to become king and Lord Stanley arrives to lead Anne unwillingly off to be crowned as queen. Anne recalls the curses she made when Richard wooed her over the dead body of her father-in-law and realises she has become the object of her own curses.

Scene 2

Richard has been crowned King of England. He hints to Buckingham that his throne is not secure unless the young princes are no longer a threat to him. Buckingham realises that he is asking him to kill the princes and when he hesitates Richard angrily decides to hire someone else to do the job. He also wants to secure his throne by making a new marriage to the Princess Elizabeth, so he begins to think about how he can get rid of his wife Anne. Richard summons Tyrrel, a hired murderer, and orders him to kill the princes in the Tower. Buckingham returns to tell Richard that he is ready to do what he wants, but finds Richard does not have time for him anymore. He remembers the swift downfall of Lord Hastings and decides to leave as soon as possible in order to save his life.

Scene 3

Tyrrel reports back to Richard about the murder of the princes and describes how he suborned two other villains to carry out the murder. These two men were subsequently filled with remorse and guilt. Richard dismisses Tyrrel and turns his attention to his plan to woo their sister Elizabeth. Ratcliff arrives with news that his enemies are raising an army against him and that Buckingham has joined them. Richard resolves to lead an army against them.

Scenes 4

Old Queen Margaret observes the downfall of her enemies and secretly watches as Queen Elizabeth and the Duchess of York weep over the deaths of the young princes. She joins with them in grieving and the women list the deaths that have occurred in the wars between their families. Margaret at last blames the Duchess because she gave birth to Richard who has caused the most grief. Queen Elizabeth asks for Margaret’s help in cursing Richard. When Richard appears all three women curse him. His mother lists all his faults since his birth and vows never to speak to him again, prophesying also that she will never see him again.

Queen Elizabeth also accuses Richard of the deaths of her sons, and Richard outrageously suggests that he will help banish her grief by marrying her daughter, Princess Elizabeth. The queen mocks his suggestion but Richard claims that he will be reformed through this marriage and that if he does not marry her there will be death and destruction for them and for England. Ratliffe brings news of a threatened invasion led by Richmond and including Buckingham. Lord Stanley also confirms that Richmond intends to take the throne by force and Richard, suspecting him of supporting Richmond, takes his son as a hostage.

Scene 5

Lord Stanley is unable to join Richmond because his son is a hostage with Richard, but he sends word to him of his support.
 

Scene 1

Buckingham has been captured and is led off to be executed. He recalls Margaret’s prophecy that Richard would betray him and realises that her curse has fallen on him also.

Scene 2

Richmond receives Stanley’s letter of support and vows to defeat Richard and his followers.

Scene 3

Richard and Richmond set up rival camps at the site of battle and prepare for battle. Richard threatens to kill Lord Stanley’s son if Stanley does not bring troops to fight for him, but Stanley still pledges his help to Richmond even though he cannot support him openly. On the eve of the battle Richard dreams that the ghosts of Prince Edward, of Henry VI, of Clarence, Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, Hastings, Anne and Buckingham – all the people he has killed – visit him and curse him.

They tell him to despair and die and then visit Richmond to say they pray for his victory. Richard awakens from his dream and wrestles with his tortured conscience. He is overcome with fears that his troops will desert him. Richmond, on the other hand, tells his army that God is on their side. On the morning of the battle, Richard and Richmond rally their troops and prepare to fight. Richard realises that Stanley is supporting Richmond and orders for his son to be killed after the battle.
 

Scene 4

During the battle Richard’s horse has been killed from under him, but he still searches for Richmond so he can kill him.

Scene 5

Richmond and Richard fight and Richard is killed. Lord Stanley presents the crown to Richmond, who declares that the wars which have troubled England will come to an end with his marriage to the princess Elizabeth. This marriage unites  the houses of York and Lancaster and the future Henry VII prays that their heirs will rule in peace over England and see ‘smiling plenty and fair prosperous days’.