Death of Edward IV
King Edward IV lies dead in his royal bedchamber, throwing the kingdom into turmoil. His young son Edward V is now king, but his uncle Richard of Gloucester, a cunning and ambitious man, is named Lord
Setting
The royal bedchamber of Westminster Palace, a grand room with high ceilings and ornate furnishings fit for the King.
Characters
Richard of Gloucester
primary
A man in his early 30s with a slender build and a pronounced hunchback. His hair is dark and closely cropped, his face narrow with a sharp nose and piercing eyes that seem to take in everything around him.
Elizabeth Woodville
primary
A beautiful and regal woman in her late 30s, with an air of determination and grief. She has long, golden hair, piercing blue eyes, and a slender build. Her face is lined with sorrow but set with resolve.
Edward V
secondary
A slender, fair-haired boy of 12 years, with delicate features and a serious expression that belies his young age. His blue eyes, a mirror of his father's, hold a hint of uncertainty as he stands at the center of the political maelstrom.
William Hastings
secondary
A middle-aged man in his early 40s, with graying hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He has a distinguished appearance, with a straight nose and piercing blue eyes that reflect his keen intellect.
Royal Physician
secondary
A middle-aged man with a lean build, sharp features, and a carefully trimmed beard. His eyes are keen and observant, reflecting his medical expertise.
Dialog
Elizabeth Woodville
My lord, you speak of duty, yet your eyes hold a different tale. The crown weighs heavy, does it not, on a head unprepared for its burden?
Richard of Gloucester
A crown I never sought, but which destiny has thrust upon me. 'Tis a duty I shall bear, for the good of the realm and the boy who now wears it.
William Hastings
We must proceed with caution. The people will look to us for stability in these uncertain times.
Royal Physician
A sudden apoplexy, most like. His Majesty's heart, though stout, was worn by the burdens of kingship.