The New Murrey and Blue blog

Well I’m not quite sure what to expect of this book, see https://tinyurl.com/5uajhun5. Yes, it focuses on the background rivalries that led to Bosworth, but is it fair to Richard III? As it’s written from the Welsh point of view, I have to hesitate. Even though Richard’s ancestry was more highborn Welsh than Henry Tudor, any fairness to Richard is difficult to perceive in the above link

Another review can be found at https://tonyriches.blogspot.com/2024/09/book-review-birth-of-red-dragon-wales.html Again, because of the concentration on Welsh history, there’s no way of telling how Richard III fares. However, at the end of this second link, there is a little about Stephen David: “….Stephen David has lectured widely to the Richard III society and other historical groups on many facets of the Wars of the Roses. He has published articles in journals such as The Ricardian and is the author of Last Champion of York, Francis Lovell, Richard III’s Truest Friend (Robert Hale, 2019)….”

So my fingers are crossed that BIRTH OF THE RED DRAGON is fair to Richard.

Now, as an interesting little footnote supplied by a friend, the entirely appropriately named Mary Friend. She tells me that Stephen David has given talks about the Woodvilles’ activities in Wales. Even before Edward IV passed away they were stealing money from the little Prince of Wales (who was to become Edward V ) and squirrelling it away in a chest to which only Elizabeth Woodville had the key!  

Thank you, Mary. I find that extremely interesting. I’m shocked, but not surprised. It merely confirms to me that the Woodvilles were truly dreadful chancers. A blight upon the monarchy. I will always wish that for once Edward IV had thought with his brain, not the overactive contents of his codpiece!

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