Online history course

Richard III and the Wars of the Roses : MC03

With historian Toni Mount

10-lesson course 5 hours 9 minutes Audio / Text

About this course

Discover the truth behind Richard III, the Wars of the Roses and the struggle for England's crown.

Was Richard III really the ruthless villain of Shakespeare's play, or has history treated England's most controversial king unfairly?

Join historian Toni Mount as she explores the turbulent Wars of the Roses, a period of dynastic rivalry, political intrigue and bloody battles that tore England apart. Discover the powerful families, ambitious nobles and rival claimants who fought for the English crown, and follow the extraordinary events that brought Richard III to the throne.

From the mystery of the Princes in the Tower to Richard's dramatic defeat at the Battle of Bosworth, uncover the evidence, question the traditional narratives and discover the fascinating history behind one of England's most enduring royal controversies.

10 focused lessons

Course content

  1. 01

    Lesson 1 - How the Wars of the Roses Began

    Discover the political rivalries, dynastic claims and tensions that laid the foundations for the Wars of the Roses.

  2. 02

    Lesson 2 - The Duke of York and Jack Cade's Rebellion

    Explore the growing unrest in Henry VI's England, the ambitions of Richard, Duke of York, and Jack Cade's rebellion.

  3. 03

    Lesson 3 - The Road to Civil War

    Follow the escalating conflict between Lancaster and York as political disputes developed into open warfare.

  4. 04

    Lesson 4 - The Battle of Wakefield

    Examine the events surrounding the Battle of Wakefield and its devastating consequences for the House of York.

  5. 05

    Lesson 5 - The Fall of Warwick; the Rise of Gloucester

    Investigate Warwick the Kingmaker's downfall and the emergence of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, as an increasingly important political figure.

  6. 06

    Lesson 6 - Richard of Gloucester as Lord of the North

    Discover Richard's role in northern England and how he established his authority and reputation before becoming king.

  7. 07

    Lesson 7 - King Richard III

    Explore Richard's accession to the throne, his short reign and the controversies surrounding his kingship.

  8. 08

    Lesson 8 - Henry Tudor and King Richard's Later Reputation

    Examine Henry Tudor's rise and how Richard III's reputation developed after his defeat at Bosworth.

  9. 09

    Lesson 9 - Henry Tudor and the Pretenders to His Throne

    Discover the challenges Henry VII faced from rival claimants and pretenders seeking to undermine his rule.

  10. 10

    Lesson 10 - The King in the Car Park

    Follow the extraordinary discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester, the scientific investigations and his reburial.

Everything you need

What is included

  • 309minutes of course material (5 hours 9 minutes)
  • 10lessons
  • Streaming audio
  • Downloadable audio
  • Downloadable transcripts
  • Optional quizzes
  • Further reading
  • End-of-course certificate
  • Family Trees

    Explore the complex relationships between the Houses of Lancaster and York with family trees that help make sense of the rival claims to the English throne.

  • Additional Video Resources

    Access supplementary video resources alongside the audio lectures and transcripts to deepen your understanding of Richard III and the Wars of the Roses.

Start learning

Enrol in this course

Course price$49.99 USD

Approximately £37.50 GBP / €44.70 EUR / A$71.20 AUD. Converted prices are estimates; payment is charged in USD.

  • Study at your own pace
  • Start whenever you are ready
  • Available internationally

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Toni Mount

Meet your historian

Toni Mount

Toni Mount is a historian, author and experienced history teacher specialising in medieval England, particularly the lives of ordinary people, medieval medicine and the Wars of the Roses.

She earned her research MA from the University of Kent in 2009, studying a medieval medical manuscript held at the Wellcome Library in London. She also holds a First-class Honours degree and a Diploma in European Humanities from the Open University, as well as a Certificate in Education from the University of Greenwich.

Toni has written numerous books on medieval history, including The Medieval Housewife & Other Women of the Middle Ages, Dragon's Blood & Willow Bark: The Mysteries of Medieval Medicine, Everyday Life in Medieval London and Richard III: King of Controversy. She is also the author of the Sebastian Foxley Medieval Mystery series.

Her research brings the medieval world to life, combining historical scholarship with fascinating details about the people who lived, worked and struggled through the Middle Ages.

View historian profile

Learner perspectives

Course reviews

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I hope it will encourage others to learn about Richard and his life and times

I have been a member of the Richard lll Society for many, many years and I can honestly say I loved this course which Toni has written and produced beautifully. I hope it will encourage others to learn about Richard and his life and times. This is a fascinating period to study which has everything:

Janine March 22, 2016

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Jennifer

I found this course really informative and enjoyable, I have learnt a lot about both the Wars of the Roses and Richard III. The course had much more content then I was expecting in just ten lessons but the half hour lessons were just the right length to listen to one at a time. I

Jennifer April 11, 2016

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Wendy

I have loved this course, Richard is such a fascinating man.

Wendy May 2, 2016

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It has given me a very good basis on which I can build and learn more.

I enjoyed every minute of doing the course, as a relatively recently new member of the Richard the III Society it has given me a very good basis on which I can build and learn more. I can now contribute to discussions more. It has also along with some other sources helped me finally make

Caroline June 23, 2016

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Mary

Yes, I did enjoy it. I found the whole course interesting and informative.

Mary August 23, 2016

Before you begin

Frequently asked questions

Is there a guarantee?

Yes. Please see our Guarantees page for full details.

Do I need to complete the quizzes?

No. The quizzes are optional, but they're a useful and enjoyable way to test your knowledge and reinforce what you've learned.

How long does the course take?

The course contains 5 hours and 9 minutes of audio lectures. You can stream or download them and listen at your own pace, with lifetime access.

Do I need to buy any books or extra materials?

No. The audio lectures and downloadable transcripts provide everything you need. Further reading and video resources are included if you'd like to explore the subject in greater depth.

When does the course start?

You can start at any time after enrolling. The course is entirely online, with no fixed start date or deadlines.