Richard III's 'Beloved Cousyn'

In 1455 John Howard was an untitled and relatively obscure Suffolk gentleman. Thirty years later, at the time of his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field, he was Earl Marshal, Duke of Norfolk, Lord Admiral and a very rich man (and his direct descendant is Duke of Norfolk today). How had Howard attained these elevations? Through his service to the House of York, and in particular to King Richard III during the setting aside of Edward V. John Ashdown-Hill examines why Howard chose to support Richard, even ultimately at the cost of his life; what secrets he knew about Edward IV; what he had to do with the fate of the 'Princes in the Tower;' and what naval innovations, hitherto ascrided to the Tudors, he promoted. Based on original research and containing previously unpublished material, Richard III's 'Beloved Cousyn' is an important contribution to Ricardian scholarship.

The late JOHN ASHDOWN-HILL was a historian and member of the Royal Historical Society, the Society of Genealogists and the Richard III Society. He wrote numerous articles for The Ricardian and was the author of Eleanor, the Secret Queen, Richard III's 'Beloved Cousyn' and Royal Marriage Secrets (all The History Press).