This Day in History October 2, 1452

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By See description [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Happy Birthday, King Richard III!  Yes, on this date in 1452, the man pictured above was born.  He was king for exactly two years:  1483-1485 (died in the Battle of Bosworth Field).  He was the last King of York and the last of the Plantagenets, and his defeat at the War of Roses is often seen as the end of the Middle Ages.

He was the youngest son (of 11 children) of Richard, Duke of York.  He was crowned king after his brothers were deemed illegitimate.  It was about him the Shakespeare wrote the play Richard III.  His reign was very turbulent, and I won't go into all the details.  I will let you check out the details for yourself.  

For more information, please check out:

http://englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet_14.htm

http://www.luminarium.org/encyclopedia/richard3.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_III_of_England

http://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/king-richard.html