Skip to main content

Primary sourcePaintingc. 1483–1485

Rous Roll

John Rous · c. 1483–1485

An illustrated roll by John Rous showing Richard III with his wife Anne Neville and son, made during Richard's lifetime and praising him as a good lord.

Made during Richard III's reign, this roll shows him with his family and praises him, unlike Rous's later hostile writings.

Ask Richard III about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Painted illustration from a medieval roll showing a crowned woman in a red robe with an ermine-trimmed cape on the left, a standing crowned king in red crown with a sceptre in the centre wearing blue and red armour with gold fleurs-de-lis and lions, and a young boy in blue and red armour on the right. Around them are heraldic crests on helmets with labels, including a crowned lion, a harp, a dragon, and a white boar at the feet of the figures, with two hands holding crowns above the woman.
John Rous, Rous Roll (detail showing Richard III, Anne Neville and Edward, Prince of Wales), c. 1483–1485. British Library and College of Arms.

About this source

What it is

This is an illustrated manuscript roll of the Earls of Warwick, made by the historian John Rous around 1483–1485, during Richard III's own reign. It is now held between the British Library and the College of Arms. The detail shown depicts King Richard III at the centre, flanked by his wife Anne Neville and their son Edward, Prince of Wales, surrounded by heraldic badges including Richard's white boar emblem.

Why it matters

Rous praised Richard as a good lord in this roll, written while Richard was alive and in power. This is strikingly different from the hostile account Rous wrote after Richard's death and the Tudor victory. Comparing the two versions by the same author shows how political change could completely alter how a writer described the same king.

Look closer

  • Why would the same writer, John Rous, describe Richard so differently before and after his death?
  • What do the heraldic badges and crests in the image tell you about Richard's family and claims?
  • How does an image made for a living, powerful king differ from one made for history books?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Richard III on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Richard III sources

Meet the AI Richard III →
Dark green cloth book cover with a white rectangular library label in the upper left reading 'UC-NRLF' above a barcode and the number 'B 4 009 742'.Book

Secondary source

History of King Richard III

Thomas More

Page 173 of an old printed book showing the title 'The Tragedy of Richard the Third' with a decorative border, the subtitle about the landing of Earle Richmond and the battle at Bosworth Field, and the opening 'Actus Primus. Scena Prima' in two columns of dense black-letter-style text.Book

Primary source

Richard III

William Shakespeare · c. 1592-1594; printed 1632

Black ink signature drawn on white background, with a long sweeping stroke rising from the left, a large looped letter in the middle, and a cursive word ending in a loop at the lower right.Document

Primary source

Signature of Richard III of England

Richard III of England · 1484

Painted portrait of a man with shoulder-length brown hair and a black velvet cap with a gold badge, wearing a gold brocade robe with a jeweled collar over red. He faces left against a blue-green background within a gilded arched frame. Inscription at the bottom reads 'RICHARD REX TERCI' in black letters.Painting

Secondary source

Richard III (1452–1485)

British (English) School (possibly) · c. 1510

Excavated skeleton in dark soil within an archaeological trench, with the skull at upper right facing right, showing teeth and jaw. Bones of the arms, ribs and legs are partly visible, with soil and small stones around them.Artifact

Primary source

Exhumation of Richard III of England

2012

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Richard III now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions