Why has History been unkind to Richard III?

Answer 1

The short answer is that Richard III was the last king of his dynasty and he was killed by his successor, Henry Tudor (Henry VII). Henry's decendants were some of the most charismatic of rulers England during a time of incredible social change throughout the western world.

Then there's the matter of his succession to the throne and the public disappearance of his brother's sons.

Taken together, these events created a "perfect storm" of Richard III bashing. The Tudors could demonize Richard without rebuttal and they fairly effectivly ruled England at a time when the island nation could use a little peace at home.

We know what the Tudors accomplished. We'll never really know what Richard III might have been capable of if he hadn't died at Bosworth.