# Earl Rivers — Richard III character guide

> Earl Rivers in Richard III by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Rivers, Lord Rivers, Anthony Woodville

**First appearance:** 0004-act-i-scene-iii

## Who they are

Brother of Queen Elizabeth, arrested and executed by Richard.

## In the story

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

Defends Queen Elizabeth against Richard's accusations and is targeted in Richard's schemes.

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

Swears love to Hastings; implicated in the queen's faction.

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

Supports Buckingham's plan to fetch the prince with a small train.

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

Reported to have been taken prisoner by Gloucester and Buckingham and sent to Pomfret.

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

Mentioned as one of the executed enemies of Hastings.

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

Led to execution, he speaks of dying for truth, duty, and loyalty, and recalls the murder of Richard II at Pomfret.

### [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/rivers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/richard_iii_se/characters