Richmond, King Henry VII Character Analysis in Richard III

A Lancaster and nephew to King Henry VI, Richmond is a kind, steady ruler whose gentle leadership stands in sharp contrast to Richard's. Richmond raises an army against Richard and defeats him, taking the throne of England and marrying King Edward's daughter to unite the houses of York and Lancaster.

Richmond, King Henry VII Quotes in Richard III

The Richard III quotes below are all either spoken by Richmond, King Henry VII or refer to Richmond, King Henry VII. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Simon & Schuster edition of Richard III published in 1996.

The wretched, bloody, and usurping boar,
That spoil'd your summer fields and fruitful vines,
Swills your warm blood like wash, and makes his trough
In your embowelled bosoms—this foul swine
Is now even in the centre of this isle

Related Characters: (speaker),

Related Symbols:

Page Number and Citation: 5.2.7-12

Explanation and Analysis:

The sun will not be seen to-day;
The sky doth frown and lour upon our army.
I would these dewy tears were from the ground.
Not shine to-day! Why, what is that to me
More than to Richmond? For the selfsame heaven
That frowns on me looks sadly upon him.

Related Characters: (speaker),

Related Symbols:

Page Number and Citation: 5.3.299-304

Explanation and Analysis:

And then, as we have ta'en the sacrament,
We will unite the white rose and the red:
Smile heaven upon this fair conjunction,
That long have frown'd upon their enmity!
What traitor hears me, and says not amen?
England hath long been mad, and scarr'd herself

Related Characters: (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 5.5

Explanation and Analysis:

Richmond, King Henry VII Character Timeline in Richard III

The timeline below shows where the character Richmond, King Henry VII appears in Richard III. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Stanley enters and reports that Dorset has run off to the Earl of Richmond (a Lancaster). Richard tells Catesby to spread a rumor that Anne is deathly ill and... (full context)

...dismisses the matter before he can speak and focuses on the news about Dorset and Richmond. Buckingham asks to claim the earl of Hereford and valuables that Richard promised him as... (full context)

...marriage, killed King Edward's sons, and that Anne has died. Now he aims to beat Richmond to marrying King Edward's daughter. (full context)

Ratcliffe enters and reports that the Bishop of Ely has fled to Richmond and that Buckingham, who also fled, is gathering Welsh forces to fight Richard. Richard pooh-poohs... (full context)

Ratcliffe and Catesby enter and report that a navy thought to be lead by Richmond is approaching from the west where he is welcomed by Richard's half-hearted soldiers (they don't... (full context)

In a room of Lord Stanley's house, Stanley asks Sir Christopher Urswick to tell Richmond that, though he wholeheartedly supports Richmond, he cannot yet send aid because Richard has his... (full context)

On a plain near Tamworth, Richmond marches with the Earl of Oxford, Sir James Blunt, Sir Walter Herbert, and his troops.... (full context)

Meanwhile on the other side of the field, Richmond, Sir William Brandon, Oxford, and others pitch their tents. Richmond announces he will distribute power... (full context)

Back at Richmond's tent, Stanley is warmly welcomed and assures Richmond that he will do all he can... (full context)

...York, Anne, and Buckingham rise in succession. Each ghost speaks to Richard and then to Richmond. Each calls on Richard to remember him and to think on the ghosts with shame... (full context)

...ready for battle. Richard declares that "shadows" (ghosts) have scared him more than thousands of Richmond's soldiers could. Richard and Ratcliffe exit. (full context)

At the other camp, Richmond wakes and reports to his lords the "fairest-boding dreams" in which the souls of all... (full context)

...consoles himself by thinking that "the selfsame heaven that frowns on me looks sadly upon [Richmond]." (full context)

...horse has been killed but that Richard fights madly on by foot, determined to kill Richmond. Richard enters shouting, "my kingdom for a horse!" Catesby tries to assist Richard, who seethes... (full context)

At another part of the field, Richard and Richmond enter, fighting each other, Richmond then kills Richard, and Richmond exits as Richard's body is... (full context)