RICHARD III: SAINT OR SINNER?

 

An Internet WebQuest to investigate the murder of the princes in the tower.

Created by Ann M. Holmes

 

 

Introduction | The Quest | Process | The Task | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits and References

 

 

Introduction

 

Welcome the members of the jury as they hear a case that has been debated for more than 600 years. Consider with great care the evidence and the alibis of suspects in the case of the murdered sons of Edward IV. From the evidence, determine the real perpetrator of the crime.

 

Who really killed the princes? The obvious answer to this question is the hunch-backed villain created by William Shakespeare in his play, Richard III. Did Shakespeare tamper with history? Were there political forces at work?

 

The evidence against Richard seems very persuasive until other evidence is presented which seems to shift suspicion. Sort through the evidence to determine whether Richard is the hideous villain depicted by Shakespeare or an innocent victim of political slander.

 

 

The Quest

 

WHO KILLED THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER, THE YOUNG SONS OF EDWARD IV?

 

 

The Process

 

In this WebQuest you will be working individually. Each student will answer the Task or Question. You will explore websites to gather information from a variety of sources.  Because these are real websites we are using, not specifically made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

 

 

 

The Task

 

In your investigation of the murder of the princes, use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions: Who? What? Where? When? Why?  How?                                    

1. Find the three main suspects listed below.  You may investigate additional suspects if you wish.

 

 2. Determine and list the evidence against each of these suspects.  (Consider evidence deemed important at the time, as well as evidence considered important now.)

List all sources used.

 

3.  Investigate and list alibis for each of the suspects.  (Again, consider the medieval view as well as the contemporary view.)

  

 

4. Weigh the evidence and determine the guilty party.  Present your argument in a well-organized essay of a minimum of five paragraphs. 

 

5. Be sure to use internal citation in your essay.  Be sure to include a correctly formatted works cited list with your paper.

 

The Resources:

 

First, you should research the War of the Roses.  This will provide necessary background information as well as an understanding of the politics involved.  It is necessary to understand the politics in order to consider possible political motives for the murder of the princes.

 

 

War of the Roses Information:

 

http://www.warsoftheroses.com/

 

http://www.r3.org/bookcase/croyland/index.html

 

http://www.fifteenthcentury.net/

 

http://www.britannia.com/history/h60.html

 

http://www.richardiii.org/warsofroses.htm

 

http://history.wisc.edu/sommerville/361/361-04.htm

 

 

If the princes were indeed murdered, there are three likely suspects in the case.  They are King Richard III, King Henry VII, and the Duke of Buckingham.  Research each of these suspects to determine motive and opportunity, as well as possible alibis.

 

Remember, you must list evidence against and alibis for each of the suspects.  Include the source with each part of your list.

Richard III

 

http://www.richard111.com/

 

http://www.richardiii.net/begin.htm

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/sceptred_isle/page/44.shtml?question=44

 

http://www.r3.org/

 

http://www.silverboar.org/index.htm

 

(For the real enthusiast, this is a terrific site.  Just ignore the spelling.)

http://www.uoregon.edu/~rbear/r3.html

 

Duke of Buckingham

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes_in_the_Tower

 

http://www.qe.dorset.sch.uk/qe500/princes.htm

 

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/famous/the_princes/10.html?sect=26

 

http://www3.sympatico.ca/eckford/Riii2.htm

 

Henry VII

 

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/famous/the_princes/10.html?sect=26

 

http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/England-History/PrincesinTower.htm

 

http://www.fifteenthcentury.net/suspects.html

 

 

Now that you have done your research, weigh the evidence and determine the guilty party.  (Perhaps you believe that the princes were not murdered?  If this is so, you may argue this option also, but you must discuss all the suspects.)  Write an essay of a minimum of five paragraphs that would serve as the prosecuting attorney’s closing argument to the jury.  Be sure to include the politics of the War of the Roses as part of your argument.  (Remember, because this is a research project, you must cite any information taken from sources used.  Use internal citation format and include a works cited page.)

For proper citation and works cited format please refer to:

http://www.noodletools.com/quickcite/

http://www.chabotcollege.edu/Library/onlineref/citation.html

 

Evaluation:

 

 

West High

Princes Research
computer

Name: ________________________

Teacher: Holmes

Date : ___________________

Title of Work: ___________________

 

Criteria

Points

 

1

2

3

4

 

Information Gathered

Information is minimal and gathered from few sources, and contains little reference to the War of the Roses.

A limited number of sources were used to gather information which contains some reference to the War of the Roses.

Multiple sources were used to gather information which has sufficient reference to the War of the Roses.

Numerous sources were used to gather a significant amount of information including sufficient reference to the War of the Roses.

____

Content and support

An argument exists, but with little support.

The argument is fairly clear, but contains minimal support.

A good argument exists with sufficient support.

An excellent argument is made with more than sufficient support.

____

Conclusions reached

A conclusion is made from minimal evidence offered.

Some detailed conclusions are reached from the evidence offered.

Several detailed conclusions are reached from the evidence offered

Numerous detailed conclusions are reached from the evidence offered.

____

Organization

Weakly organized.

Reasonably organized, but contains confusing sequencing.

Well organized with minimal lack of sequencing.

Well organized and demonstrated logical sequencing.

____

Writing Mechanics

Contains numerous errors in writing mechanics.

The writing contains a serious number of mechanical errors.

The writing contains few errors in mechanics.

The writing contains very few errors in mechanics (1 or 2).

____

 

 

 

 

Total---->

____

Teacher Comments:

 

Conclusion:

Not only is the purpose of this Quest to improve student research techniques, writing, and organization, but it is also meant to foster an understanding of the effect of time and politics on “history.”

Credits and References:

 

 

"We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is hereby granted for other educators to copy this WebQuest, update or otherwise modify it, and post it elsewhere provided that the original author's name is retained along with a link back to the original URL of this WebQuest. On the line after the original author's name, you may add Modified by (your name) on (date). If you do modify it, please let me know and provide the new URL."

 

Last updated on January 10, 2004, on a template from The WebQuest Page.