At the end of the bloody Wars of the Roses between the rival Houses of Lancaster and York, the victorious Yorkists look forward to a period of peace under the newly-crowned Edward IV.

But Edward’s younger brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, has other ideas, wanting the throne for himself. To further his plans, he manipulates the noblewoman Lady Anne Neville to marry him, even though she knows that he murdered her first husband. Having had his brother George, Duke of Clarence, imprisoned in the Tower, Richard arranges his murder. Edward blames himself for the death and dies shortly after.

Edward leaves behind him two young sons, not old enough to rule. Richard is appointed Lord Protector of England, putting him in charge until the boys grow up. He orders the execution of powerful noblemen to protect his power, including Queen Elizabeth’s brother and eldest son. Richard spreads rumours that the princes are not true heirs because they are illegitimate, and Tyrrell is sent by Richard to murder them in the Tower.

As the people of England become increasingly fearful of Richard, his closest allies turn against him, and are executed. Meanwhile, the Lancastrian Earl of Richmond is raising forces in France. He arrives in England to challenge Richard on Bosworth Field. After fighting bravely, Richard is killed in battle by Richmond, who becomes King Henry VII. His marriage to Princess Elizabeth promises a new era of peace for England, uniting the Houses of York and Lancaster.