Welcome to a poetic exploration of one of history’s most enigmatic figures – Richard III. A character shrouded in mystery, intrigue and controversy, Richard III continues to captivate historians, scholars, and poets alike.
Our collection of poems about Richard III delves into his complex persona, exploring his life, reign, and the enduring legacy he left behind. Each verse seeks to unravel the man behind the monarch, offering a unique perspective on this infamous king.
From his rise to power to his dramatic fall at the Battle of Bosworth, these poems weave a rich tapestry of emotion, power, and human frailty. Whether you’re a history buff, a poetry lover or simply curious about Richard III, these poems offer a compelling journey into the heart of the 15th century England.
Related: For more, check out our Poems About The Tempest here.
Five Free Verse Poems About Richard III
1. The Enigma of the Crown
Oh, Richard, thy name etched in history’s stone,
A king, a villain, a man unknown.
In the shadow of power, you rose and fell,
Your story, an unfathomable well.
Beneath the weight of the crown, your spirit bent,
A throne achieved, a life spent.
Was it ambition or destiny’s cruel jest?
In your heart, only silence at rest.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
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2. The Winter of Discontent
The snow fell like a shroud upon your reign,
A harsh winter of discontent, a kingdom’s pain.
In the labyrinth of power, you lost your way,
A solitary figure at end of day.
The crown, once gold, tarnished by time,
Your legacy, a complex rhyme.
Richard, the third of thy name, forever encased
In the frost of history, forever chased.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
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3. The King’s Gambit
A horse, a horse, your kingdom for a horse,
On Bosworth’s field, you charted your course.
In the chessboard of power, you made your move,
Your gambit, history would disprove.
Richard, in armour, your spirit ablaze,
Lost in the fog of war’s cruel haze.
Your reign, a fleeting moment in time’s vast sea,
Yet, your name echoes, a haunting decree.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
4. The Specter of Richard
In the hallowed halls of royal lore,
Your specter lingers, forevermore.
A vilified king, a misunderstood soul,
In the annals of history, you played your role.
Richard, the third, a man of your time,
Your life, a tragedy, your death, a chime.
In the echoes of the past, your tale is told,
A king, a man, a story bold.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
5. The Last Plantagenet
The last of the line, the end of an era,
Your reign, a complex and puzzling chimera.
In the tapestry of history, you are but a thread,
Yet, your story, by millions, is read.
Richard III, your name resounds,
In every corner of England’s grounds.
The last Plantagenet, your legacy lives on,
A melody in history’s endless song.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
Related: For more, check out our Poems About Julius Caesar here.
Five Haiku Poems About Richard III
1. The Solitary King
King in shadows deep,
Crown heavy with secrets kept,
Richard’s soul, weep.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
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2. Winter’s Reign
Winter of our pain,
In discontent, Richard reigned,
Legacy, a stain.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
3. Bosworth’s Field
A horse, he cried out,
On Bosworth’s field, end of rout,
Kingdom lost, no doubt.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
4. Echoes of the Past
Echoes of the past,
Richard’s tale, vast and vast,
Infamy amassed.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
5. The Last Plantagenet
Last Plantagenet,
Your story, we shan’t forget,
In history, set.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
Related: For more, check out our Poems About King Lear here.
Five Limerick Poems About Richard III
1. The Mystery of the King
Richard the Third, a king so feared,
His legacy, through time it’s sheared.
Was he cruel or misunderstood?
In history’s books, it’s not understood.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
2. The Winter’s Tale
A winter of discontent, so severe,
Marked Richard’s reign with dread and fear.
Yet in his heart, did kindness dwell?
Only time and tales can tell.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
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3. The Final Stand
On Bosworth field, he made his stand,
His kingdom slipping like fine sand.
“A horse,” he cried, but too late,
Destiny had sealed his fate.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
4. The Echoing Name
Richard the Third, his name echoes still,
In castle halls, over vale and hill.
A king remembered, for good or ill,
His story gives history a thrilling chill.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
5. The Last of the Line
Last Plantagenet, he did reign,
His rule marked by intrigue and pain.
Yet in his story, we find a thread,
Of a time long gone, yet never dead.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
Related: For more, check out our Poems About A Midsummer Night’s Dream here.
Five Tanka Poems About Richard III
1. The Enigma of the Throne
King Richard, so feared,
In shadows of power veered.
Crown heavy, spirit seared,
His legacy, unclear,
In history, he’s smeared.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
2. The Winter of Our Discontent
A winter so harsh,
Richard’s reign, a fading marsh.
His rule, under an arch,
Of discontent, a scorch,
His legacy, a parch.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
3. The Battle Cry
On Bosworth’s field wide,
For a horse, he loudly cried.
His kingdom, on the slide,
His destiny, to abide,
His reign, a turning tide.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
4. The Echoing Monarch
Richard the Third, his name echoes
Through time’s passage, as it flows.
A king, a villain, who knows?
His tale, a thorny rose,
In history’s garden, it grows.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
—
5. The Last Plantagenet
Last of his line,
His reign, a complex design.
In history’s vine,
He is but a sign,
Of a time, divine.
By Dan Higgins, 2024
Related: For more, check out our Poems About Hamlet here.
Five Sonnet Poems About Richard III
1. “The Hunchback King”
Upon this earth, a figure twisted, bent,
A hunchback king, his name was Richard Third,
His reign was brief, yet potent in intent,
His actions spoke louder than any word.
A child, two, lost within the tower’s height,
Their fate unknown, their innocence untold,
In Richard’s grasp, they vanished in the night,
His deeds were ruthless, bloody, and bold.
Yet, under all, a heart did surely beat,
A man of passion, driven by his will,
His life cut short upon Bosworth’s bleak heat,
His legacy, a story that chills still.
By Dan Higgins 2024
2. “The Crown’s Heavy Weight”
The crown’s heavy weight on Richard’s brow,
His kingdom vast, his rule absolute,
Yet, peace and love he did not allow,
His reign marked by fear and dispute.
His throne built on the bones of the dead,
His power born from treachery and lies,
His subjects lived in constant dread,
Underneath his stormy, vengeful skies.
But in his heart, a quiet despair,
For power’s price is loneliness and strife,
His end came swift, in open air,
A tragic end to a tragic life.
By Dan Higgins 2024
3. “The Winter of Our Discontent”
In the winter of our discontent,
Richard rose to take his place,
His ambition, it seemed, was never spent,
He wore a mask upon his face.
His rule was harsh, his methods cruel,
His actions sparked a raging fire,
His reign was short, his death a duel,
His legacy, a funeral pyre.
Yet, in the midst of all his sin,
There was a man who yearned for peace,
His life a battle he could not win,
His torment, it would never cease.
By Dan Higgins 2024
4. “The Shadow King”
In shadow’s cloak, King Richard reigned,
His rule marked by deceit and dread,
His hands with innocent blood were stained,
His path littered with the dead.
His heart was cold, his gaze was stern,
His voice a chilling, haunting sound,
His actions caused the world to turn,
His name left a bitter taste profound.
But in his soul, a flicker weak,
A desire for love, for warmth, for light,
His end was tragic, his future bleak,
His story a tale of endless night.
By Dan Higgins 2024
5. “Richard’s Lament”
Richard, oh Richard, you king so cruel,
Your deeds were dark, your heart was stone,
Your reign was brief, your methods brutal,
Your kingdom fell, and you died alone.
You sought power, but at what cost?
You gained a throne, but lost your soul,
Your life was a battle, and it was lost,
Your story, a tragic, mournful toll.
Yet, in your heart, a sorrow deep,
A man lost in a world of strife,
Your legacy is one we keep,
A reminder of a wasted life.
By Dan Higgins 2024
Related: For more, check out our Poems About Romeo And Juliet here.
Five Ode Poems About Richard III
1. “Ode to the Fallen King”
Oh, Richard, your tale is one of woe,
A king who fell from grace so high,
Your actions reaped what you did sow,
Underneath the stormy sky.
Your rule was marked by fear and dread,
Your heart was cold, your soul was dark,
Your reign ended in bloodshed,
Your story leaves a lasting mark.
Yet, in your fall, a lesson learned,
That power’s price is paid in full,
Your legacy, it has been earned,
Your life, a tragic, mournful toll.
By Dan Higgins 2024
2. “Ode to the Hunchback King”
Richard, oh Richard, your form so bent,
A hunchback king with a ruthless reign,
Your path was set, your course was meant,
Your life was filled with endless pain.
Your rule was harsh, your methods cruel,
Your kingdom lived in constant fear,
Your actions made you a tyrant’s tool,
Your end was swift and severe.
But in your heart, a sorrow deep,
A man lost in a world of strife,
Your legacy is one we keep,
A reminder of a wasted life.
By Dan Higgins 2024
3. “Ode to the Winter King”
In the winter of our discontent,
Richard, you rose to take your place,
Your ambition seemed never spent,
You wore a mask upon your face.
Your reign was filled with deceit and dread,
Your subjects lived in constant terror,
Your end was met with blood so red,
Your life was a glaring error.
Yet, in your fall, a truth revealed,
That power corrupts the heart and soul,
Your fate was sealed, your doom was sealed,
Your story, a tragic, mournful toll.
By Dan Higgins 2024
4. “Ode to the Shadow King”
Richard, oh Richard, king of the night,
Your rule was marked by fear and pain,
Your actions cast a chilling blight,
Your reign was a sorrowful stain.
Your heart was hard, your gaze was stern,
Your voice a chilling, haunting sound,
Your deeds caused the world to turn,
Your legacy leaves a wound profound.
But in your soul, a flicker weak,
A longing for love, for warmth, for light,
Your end was tragic, your future bleak,
Your story a tale of endless night.
By Dan Higgins 2024
5. “Ode to Richard’s Lament”
Richard, oh Richard, you king so cruel,
Your deeds were dark, your heart was stone,
Your reign was brief, your methods were brutal,
Your kingdom fell, and you died alone.
You sought power, but at what cost?
You gained a throne, but lost your soul,
Your life was a battle, and it was lost,
Your story, a tragic, mournful toll.
Yet, in your heart, a sorrow deep,
A man lost in a world of strife,
Your legacy is one we keep,
A reminder of a wasted life.
By Dan Higgins 2024
Related: For more, check out our article on Poems About Othello here.
Five Villanelle Poems About Richard III
1. The King in the Tower
The hunchback king, alone and forlorn,
His kingdom lost, his lineage torn,
Richard the Third, in the tower he mourns.
A crown of gold, by treachery worn,
A reign of terror, a nation scorned,
The hunchback king, alone and forlorn.
His nephews’ fate, a mystery born,
In the tower’s shadow, a tale adorned,
Richard the Third, in the tower he mourns.
His battle cry, on Bosworth’s morn,
A desperate plea, a soul reborn,
The hunchback king, alone and forlorn.
His life, his reign, by Shakespeare drawn,
A villain’s mask, unfairly worn,
Richard the Third, in the tower he mourns.
In death, his reputation torn,
Yet in our hearts, a legend born,
The hunchback king, alone and forlorn,
Richard the Third, in the tower he mourns.
By Dan Higgins 2024
2. The Ghost of Bosworth Field
Upon Bosworth field, the specter cries,
In the ghostly mist, a king’s demise,
Richard III, his spirit never dies.
Through the fog of time, his legacy lies,
In the heart of England, his memory ties,
Upon Bosworth field, the specter cries.
A horse, a horse, his kingdom’s price,
In the throes of death, his desperate cries,
Richard III, his spirit never dies.
A twisted spine, a cruel device,
Yet courage unyielding, in his eyes,
Upon Bosworth field, the specter cries.
His grave uncovered, a modern surprise,
In Leicester’s soil, a king’s reprise,
Richard III, his spirit never dies.
In history’s pages, truth belies,
Yet on Bosworth field, a ghost still lies,
Upon Bosworth field, the specter cries,
Richard III, his spirit never dies.
By Dan Higgins 2024
3. The Shadow of the Princes
In the tower’s gloom, the princes sigh,
Their uncle’s reign, a bitter lie,
Richard III, beneath a clouded sky.
Their innocence lost, their mother’s cry,
A kingdom’s sorrow, a nation’s sigh,
In the tower’s gloom, the princes sigh.
A throne usurped, ambition high,
In the name of power, the innocent die,
Richard III, beneath a clouded sky.
His guilt assumed, historians pry,
Yet truth remains an elusive ally,
In the tower’s gloom, the princes sigh.
A mystery unsolved, the questions fly,
In the shadow of the princes, we wonder why,
Richard III, beneath a clouded sky.
In the pages of time, the answers lie,
Yet in our hearts, the princes sigh,
In the tower’s gloom, the princes sigh,
Richard III, beneath a clouded sky.
By Dan Higgins 2024
4. The King’s Redemption
In Leicester’s soil, a king was found,
A twisted spine, a skull uncrowned,
Richard III, in death renowned.
His tomb revealed, history unbound,
A king’s redemption, in truth profound,
In Leicester’s soil, a king was found.
His reputation smeared, by Shakespeare drowned,
Yet in death, a dignity resounds,
Richard III, in death renowned.
A villain’s mask, unfairly wound,
In the light of truth, a king unbound,
In Leicester’s soil, a king was found.
His story retold, his legacy sound,
In the heart of England, his spirit rebounds,
Richard III, in death renowned.
In the silence of the grave, no judgment found,
Yet in our hearts, his memory resounds,
In Leicester’s soil, a king was found,
Richard III, in death renowned.
By Dan Higgins 2024
5. The Last Plantagenet
The last Plantagenet, his reign so brief,
His story told, in grief and disbelief,
Richard III, a king beyond relief.
His crown usurped, by Tudor thief,
A nation mourns, in silent grief,
The last Plantagenet, his reign so brief.
His nephews lost, their fate unsheathed,
In the tower’s shadow, a mystery bequeathed,
Richard III, a king beyond relief.
His name maligned, by bard and chief,
Yet in his heart, a courage beyond belief,
The last Plantagenet, his reign so brief.
His grave discovered, a modern relief,
In death, a king finds his reprieve,
Richard III, a king beyond relief.
In the pages of time, a tale replete,
Yet in our hearts, his memory is bequeathed,
The last Plantagenet, his reign so brief,
Richard III, a king beyond relief.
By Dan Higgins 2024
As we conclude this poetic journey, we leave you with a deeper understanding of Richard III – the man, the monarch, the mystery. Each poem has attempted to peel back the layers of myth and history, revealing a king whose life was as complex as the times he ruled in.
From the intrigue of his rise to power, the controversy of his reign, to the tragic end at Bosworth, these poems have painted a multifaceted portrait of a figure who continues to fascinate us, centuries later.
Whether you came here out of historical curiosity, a love for poetry, or an interest in Richard III, we hope that these verses have enriched your perspective, and that you carry with you a piece of the 15th century England, and of the enigmatic King Richard III.
