Richard III

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The castle acquired its greatest fame in connection with Richard, Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Richard III., who assumed the regal dignity in its walls. Here Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, offered the crown to Richard in the court of the castle, which subsequently lead Shakespeare to compose a scene of inimitable excellence.

Buckingham, in veritable history, will be remembered as the seconder of Dr. Shaw's sermon at Paul's Cross, to establish the illegitimacy of the children of Edward IV., and clear the way to the throne for the wily Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Two days later, the Duke of Buckingham gave a speech to the citizens in the same strain with Shaw; and on the 25th of June at his mother's house at Baynard's Castle, the nobleman presented to Richard a parchment purporting to be a declaration of the Three Estates in favour of Richard, as the only legitimate prince of the House of York.

Buckingham had been sent by Richard to Guildhall, to see his suit well urged, and bring the Lord Mayor and aldermen to him, saying, "If you thrive well, bring them to Baynard's Castle, where you shall find me well accompanied with reverend fathers, and well learned bishops".

Initially, Richard was reluctant to accept the offer of the glittering crown, but later accepted. Buckingham then saluted Gloucester as "England's worthy king", the day of coronation was fixed and Gloucester said to the two bishops, "Come, let us to our holy work again". Thus ends this usually well-acted scene of royal hypocrisy and bloodstained guilt.

Next page: Notable Visitors of Baynard's Castle

• Baynard's Castle - Introduction
• 1 - What did Castle Baynard look like?
• 2 - Origins of the name 'Bayswater'
• 3 - Matilda the Fair
• 4 - Fitzwalter and King John
• 5 - The Fitzwalter Privileges
• 6 - Destroyed by Fire and Rebuilt
• 7 - Richard III
• 8 - Notable Visitors of Baynard's Castle