# Lord Hastings — Richard III character guide

> Lord Hastings in Richard III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hastings, William Lord Hastings, the good Lord Hastings

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

## Snapshot

A loyal lord of Edward's court, freed from the Tower once and confident of his standing, whose plain dealing cannot survive Richard's court.

## Who they are

Hastings belongs to the old Edwardian order, a man who once begged Mistress Shore for his liberty and believes his loyalty will protect him. He moves through the early court as a barometer of who currently has the king's ear, trading news with Clarence and Richard alike. His trust in the normal rules of favor makes him exactly the kind of man Richard's new rules are built to destroy.

## In the story

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

Recently released from the Tower; reports that King Edward IV is sickly and weak.

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

Reacts with horror to Margaret's curses and is later manipulated by Richard.

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

Reconciles with Rivers and the queen under the king's command.

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

Arrives late, reports that the queen and York have taken sanctuary, and is sent to retrieve York.

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

Dismisses Stanley's warnings, boasts of his safety, and refuses to support Richard's claim to the crown.

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

Arrested and executed on Richard's orders after being falsely accused of witchcraft and treason.

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

Executed offstage; his head is brought on stage as proof of his supposed treason.

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

The subject of the forged indictment, executed without trial.

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

Mentioned among those who have miscarried by foul injustice.

## Links

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