# Duke of Buckingham — Richard III character guide

> Duke of Buckingham in Richard III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Buckingham, cousin Buckingham, princely Buckingham, noble Buckingham

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Richard's smooth, calculating right hand, a nobleman whose political cunning helps seat a king and whose conscience eventually stalls.

## Who they are

Buckingham moves through the court as Richard's chief enforcer, lending noble credibility to plots that would look naked coming from Gloucester alone. He thrives on proximity to power, but when Richard asks him to consent to the murder of the young princes, his nerve falters and the alliance begins to crack. His arc shows how complicity in tyranny curdles once the price becomes unspeakable.

## In the story

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iii)

Attempts to calm Margaret and later listens to Richard's false confidences.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Swears loyalty to the queen's allies; observes the court's reaction to Clarence's death.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Proposes fetching the young prince with a small train; conspires with Gloucester.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Referenced as one of the 'mighty dukes' who committed Rivers, Grey, and Vaughan to prison.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Assists Richard in his schemes, suggests sending Catesby to Hastings, and argues for taking York from sanctuary.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Meets Hastings and makes an aside about his impending death.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv)

Participates in the council meeting and conspires with Richard against Hastings.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-v)

Assists Richard in the plot, pretends to be terrified, and is sent to the Guildhall to slander Edward's lineage.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vii)

Orchestrates the public spectacle, coaching Richard to appear holy and reluctant, and persuades the mayor and citizens to demand Richard's kingship.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Hesitates to consent to the princes' murder and feels betrayed when Richard denies his promised earldom.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Mentioned as leading a rebellion and expected to aid Richmond's invasion.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Led to execution, reflects on his downfall and the fulfillment of Margaret's curse.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/characters/buckingham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/characters