The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses – Richard III (BBC Four Saturday 18 November 2023)

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses – Richard III airs Saturday 18 November 2023 on BBC Four.

What is this episode about

The depravity at court, Richard’s deformity, and his evil schemes are all discussed at Westminster. While celebrating Prince Edward’s birthday, the king’s brother George is taken into custody and taken to the tower. King Edward becomes sick and passes out towards the conclusion of the banquet. In London’s Tower of London, Richard plots George’s assassination. Richard interrupts King Edward’s final attempt to settle family disputes by breaking the news of George’s death.

Following Edward’s demise as well, Richard assumes command. Prince Edward and Prince Richard are sent to the Tower to be kept safe, while Rivers and Grey are executed for treason.

Execution of Hastings follows a council meeting as well. The people of London are urged by Buckingham to petition Richard to assume the throne. Anne becomes Richard’s queen at his coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. After his efforts went unnoticed, Buckingham decided to put some distance between himself, Richard, and his regime. Having lost the backing of his primary operative, Richard III now commissions Tyrell to assassinate the princes housed in the tower.

In an effort to depose Richard, the Duke of Richmond and his allies band together to take the throne. Richard develops paranoia and isolation in his Westminster underground quarters. He plans to kill Anne and kidnaps Stanley’s son. Bosworth Field is the site of Richard’s forced confrontation with Richmond and his army. Desertion leads to Buckingham’s execution.

Richmond and Stanley form an alliance, leaving Richard’s army severely outnumbered. In single combat, Richmond kills Richard, thereby becoming Henry VII. In this union of white and red, the Houses of York and Lancaster stand united.

The Wars of the Roses Episode 3

When can we see the episode

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses – Richard III airs Saturday 18 November 2023 at 10:40pm on BBC Four

Featured Image Credit: BBC Four