Richard III · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Richard III by William Shakespeare.
King Richard III
major
Also known as Richard, Gloucester, King Richard, Duke of Gloucester
The ambitious, deformed protagonist who schemes and murders his way to the English throne.
Duke of Buckingham
major
Also known as Buckingham, cousin Buckingham, princely Buckingham, noble Buckingham
Richard's chief ally and political enforcer, who later hesitates and is executed.
Queen Elizabeth
major
Also known as Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth Woodville
Widow of King Edward IV, who bitterly opposes Richard and fears for her children's lives.
Lady Anne
supporting
Also known as Anne, gentle Lady Anne, Anne Neville
Widow of Prince Edward whom Richard woos and marries, later tormented by guilt.
George, Duke of Clarence
supporting
Also known as Clarence, George, poor Clarence, the noble Duke of Clarence
Richard's brother, imprisoned and murdered on Richard's orders.
Lord Hastings
supporting
Also known as Hastings, William Lord Hastings, the good Lord Hastings
Loyal lord to Edward IV, executed by Richard for refusing to support his usurpation.
King Edward IV
supporting
Also known as Edward, King Edward, good King Edward
Elder brother of Richard and Clarence, whose death triggers the succession crisis.
Queen Margaret
supporting
Also known as Margaret, Queen Margaret of Anjou
Widow of Henry VI, a cursing prophetess who haunts the court with her grief.
Duchess of York
supporting
Also known as Duchess, the Duchess of York, great York
Mother of Edward, Clarence, and Richard, who laments her sons' fates.
Sir Richard Ratcliff
supporting
Also known as Ratcliff, Sir Richard Ratcliff
Richard's loyal and ruthless military commander and confidant.
Sir William Catesby
supporting
Also known as Catesby, good Catesby, gentle Catesby
Richard's close advisor and agent, instrumental in political machinations.
Lord Stanley
supporting
Also known as Stanley, the Lord Stanley, Thomas Stanley
Stepfather of Richmond, who secretly supports the Tudor cause.
Earl Rivers
minor
Also known as Rivers, Lord Rivers, Anthony Woodville
Brother of Queen Elizabeth, arrested and executed by Richard.
Lord Grey
minor
Also known as Grey, Lord Grey
Son of Queen Elizabeth, executed alongside Rivers.
Marquis of Dorset
minor
Also known as Dorset, Lord Dorset, the Marquis Dorset
Son of Queen Elizabeth, who flees to join Richmond.
Sir Robert Brakenbury
minor
Also known as Brakenbury, Sir Robert Brakenbury
Lieutenant of the Tower, who guards Clarence and later the princes.
Sir James Tyrrel
minor
Also known as Tyrrel, James Tyrrel, gentle Tyrrel
Hired by Richard to murder the young princes in the Tower.
Prince Edward (Edward V)
minor
Also known as Young Edward, Edward, Prince Edward
Elder son of Edward IV, imprisoned and murdered in the Tower.
Richard, Duke of York
minor
Also known as York, young York, Prince Richard of York, noble York
Younger son of Edward IV, murdered alongside his brother.
Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond
supporting
Also known as Richmond, Henry, shallow Richmond
Future King Henry VII, who leads the rebellion against Richard.
Sir Thomas Lovel
minor
Also known as Lovel, Sir Thomas Lovel
A messenger and minor courtier loyal to Richard.
Cardinal Bourchier
minor
Also known as Cardinal, Cardinal Bourchier
Archbishop who is persuaded to fetch young York from sanctuary.
Lord Mayor of London
minor
Also known as Mayor, Mayor of London
Civic leader manipulated by Richard to legitimize his claim.
Mistress Shore
minor
Also known as Shore, Mistress Shore
Former mistress of Edward IV, punished by Richard.
Forrest
minor
Also known as Forrest
One of the murderers hired by Tyrrel to kill the princes.
Dighton
minor
Also known as Dighton
Accomplice to Forrest in murdering the princes.
Captain Blunt
minor
Also known as Blunt, good Captain Blunt, Good Captain Blunt
A loyal supporter of Richmond in the final battle.
Earl of Oxford
minor
Also known as Oxford
A commander fighting for Richmond at Bosworth Field.
Thomas, Earl of Surrey
minor
Also known as Surrey, Thomas Earl of Surrey
A nobleman fighting on Richard's side at Bosworth.
Duke of Norfolk
minor
Also known as Norfolk, John Duke of Norfolk
A key commander in Richard's army at Bosworth.
George Stanley
minor
Also known as George Stanley, young George Stanley, tender George
Son of Lord Stanley, held hostage by Richard.
Sir William Brandon
minor
Also known as Sir William Brandon
Standard-bearer for Richmond at Bosworth.
Sir Walter Herbert
minor
Also known as Sir Walter Herbert, Herbert
A supporter of Richmond.
Sir Gilbert Talbot
minor
Also known as Sir Gilbert Talbot
A supporter of Richmond.
Earl of Pembroke
minor
Also known as The Earl of Pembroke
A supporter of Richmond.
Sir Thomas Vaughan
minor
Also known as Vaughan, Sir Thomas Vaughan
A loyalist to Edward V, executed by Richard.
Prince Edward (son of Henry VI)
minor
Also known as Prince Edward, Edward
Son of Henry VI, killed at Tewkesbury; appears as a ghost.
King Henry VI
minor
Also known as King Henry the Sixth, Henry, Henry the Sixth, holy Harry
Deposed king murdered by Richard; appears as a ghost.
Clifford
minor
Also known as Clifford
A minor character from the Wars of the Roses, mentioned but not present.
Rutland
minor
Also known as Rutland
Young son of York, killed by Clifford; appears as a ghost.
Lady Margaret Plantagenet
minor
Also known as Margaret, Plantagenet, Lady Margaret Plantagenet
Daughter of Clarence, mentioned but does not appear on stage.
Young Elizabeth
minor
Also known as young Elizabeth, Elizabeth
Daughter of Edward IV, courted by Richard and later married to Richmond.
Sir Edward Courtney
minor
Also known as Sir Edward Courtney, Edward
A supporter of Richmond.
Christopher Urswick
minor
Also known as Christopher, Derby Sir Christopher
A priest who serves as a messenger for Stanley.
Earl of Northumberland
minor
Also known as Northumberland, the melancholy Lord Northumberland
A nobleman who reluctantly supports Richard.
