Richard III's Books: Ideals and Reality in the Life and Library of a Medieval Prince

The books of Richard III are typical of what was available to and popular with the medieval reader - religion, chivalry, history, genealogy, advice on how to govern, romance and prophecy - and allow us to draw an interesting overview of fifteenth-century opinions.

Each type of book is examined on its own terms and then related to the known preoccupations of Richard himself, his associates and to the political practices of his time. Containing valuable biographical material, insights into the history and politics of the later fifteenth century, and much detail on late medieval piety and other important aspects of contemporary culture, this fully illustrated survey has wide-ranging significance for all who study the history and literature of the medieval period.