Richard III was born at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire on 2 October 1452. He was the youngest surviving son of Richard, Duke of York and Cecily Neville, and at his birth there was little reason to expect he would become king.

Richard was born during Henry VI’s reign. His father was one of England’s most powerful noblemen. He had a strong claim to the throne, but Richard had elder brothers ahead of him in the York family. The struggle between supporters of Henry VI and the Duke of York developed during Richard’s childhood into the conflict later known as the Wars of the Roses.

The conflict changed Richard’s position. His father and his brother Edmund were killed at the Battle of Wakefield in December 1460. Another brother, Edward, defeated his Lancastrian opponents and, in 1461, became Edward IV. Richard was created Duke of Gloucester and became an important supporter of his brother’s rule.

Edward IV’s death in April 1483 produced another succession crisis. Edward’s young son became Edward V, and Richard was appointed Lord Protector. Within weeks, the validity of Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville was challenged, and their children were declared illegitimate. Richard took the throne as Richard III in June.

His reign lasted little more than two years. Henry Tudor challenged him for the crown, and Richard was killed at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485. Henry became Henry VII.

Richard’s death ended Plantagenet rule in England. The youngest surviving son, born at Fotheringhay in 1452, became the dynasty’s last king.