King Richard III of England, born in 1452, was the youngest surviving son of Richard, Duke of York, and Cecily Neville. Richard’s early life was marred by the dynastic Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne. His family, the Yorkists, often found themselves in direct conflict with the Lancastrians, setting the backdrop for Richard’s youth.

During the reign of his elder brother, Edward IV, Richard showcased his capabilities as a military commander and loyal supporter, playing pivotal roles in battles against the Lancastrians. He was rewarded with vast estates in the north of England and given the title of Duke of Gloucester. This consolidation of power in the north saw Richard overseeing the region almost as a semi-independent ruler, earning respect and loyalty from the northern gentry and common folk.

When Edward IV died in 1483, his eldest son, Edward V, was merely 12 years old. Richard was named Lord Protector, but before the young king could be crowned, Richard declared Edward V and his siblings illegitimate, citing a previously unknown marriage contract of Edward IV. This move led Richard to take the throne as Richard III. The fate of Edward V and his younger brother, commonly referred to as the "Princes in the Tower," remains one of history's great mysteries, with many speculating that Richard had them murdered.

Richard’s reign, though brief, was significant. He implemented reforms in the judicial system, including the establishment of the Court of Requests for the poor and the introduction of bail to protect suspected felons from imprisonment before trial. However, Richard faced challenges from the start. The manner in which he came to power created animosity, and opposition emerged not just from Lancastrian loyalists but also from some Yorkists, who saw Richard's actions as overly ambitious.

Richard’s foreign policy largely revolved around securing his position against potential threats. He sought to strengthen ties with Burgundy, a longtime ally of the Yorkists, as a counterbalance to potential French support for Lancastrian or Tudor challenges to his throne.

On the familial front, Richard married Anne Neville, daughter of the Earl of Warwick. The couple had one son, Edward of Middleham, who tragically died young. This death was a significant personal blow to Richard and also raised questions about the line of succession.

Richard's reign ended dramatically at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 when he was defeated by Henry Tudor, marking the end of the Wars of the Roses and the start of the Tudor dynasty. Richard’s death in battle, crying out "Treason!" as he was betrayed by some of his allies, was a dramatic end for a king whose rule was marked by controversy. He was the last English king to die in battle.

The aftermath of Richard's death was defined by the Tudor narrative, with historians from the Tudor period portraying him as a usurper and malevolent hunchbacked ruler, notably in Shakespeare's play "Richard III." However, opinions about Richard have evolved. Some modern historians argue that Richard was a product of his times and that his reputation suffered unduly from Tudor propaganda.

The era of Richard III was one of upheaval and change. England was emerging from the medieval period, with societal structures shifting and the Renaissance beginning to influence English culture. The Wars of the Roses had caused significant instability, leading to a yearning for stable governance. While Richard's reign was short and marred by controversy, his reforms and policies reflect a monarch who, in different circumstances, might have had a very different legacy.