Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (3 of 6): England (5 of 9) The History of Edward the Fift and King Richard the Third Unfinished

Written in the early 1500s by the humanist Thomas More, this unfinished chronicle blends historical narrative with a reflective, almost personal tone. It follows the life of Edward IV, a king who rose to power after decades of civil strife and spent his reign balancing war and peace, patronage and popular affection. More paints Edward as charismatic yet modest, a ruler who enjoyed hunting with London’s aldermen while keeping the kingdom largely stable and prosperous.

The manuscript then turns to the turbulent years that lead to Richard III’s brief rule, offering vivid portraits of their families, court intrigue, and the shifting loyalties that marked the final decade of the Plantagenet line. Though the work breaks off before completing Richard’s story, the detailed observations give listeners a rare glimpse of how contemporaries understood the fall of one dynasty and the rise of another. Listeners will appreciate the blend of scholarly detail and human drama that makes this medieval account feel surprisingly immediate.