# Richard of Gloucester — The Black Arrow character guide

> Richard of Gloucester in The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Crookback Dick o' Gloucester, the Crookback, Crookback Dick, Gloucester, Crookback, Richard Crookback, Richard, Meanwhile Gloucester

**First appearance:** 0029-book-v-crookback

## Snapshot

The future Richard III, a bold, exacting hunchback duke whose cold-blooded discipline and open-handed rewards make him a commander men follow gleefully.

## Who they are

Richard of Gloucester appears in the wars as a small, dark, ambitious leader who demands that all things be done exact to his commandment and kills those who fail. Yet his men follow him gladly, for he is as liberal of his own blood as of theirs, always in the first front of battle and the last to sleep. He matters because his cold favour raises Dick to a perilous command and because his sour inspection of Joanna nearly rewrites her fate.

## Relationships

### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton)

_professional_

Dick serves under the future King Richard III in battle, forming a brief but significant military alliance.

### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton)

_professional_

Dick serves under the future King Richard III in battle, forming a brief but significant military alliance.

### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton)

_professional_

Dick serves under the future King Richard III in battle, forming a brief but significant military alliance.

## In the story

### [VI: The “Good Hope” (Concluded)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-the-good-hope-concluded)

Mentioned as the intended recipient of Lord Foxham's military intelligence for the Yorkist cause.

### [Book V: Crookback](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-v-crookback)

Central figure in this chapter, known as Crookback, a key player in the political and military conflicts.

### [The Shrill Trumpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-shrill-trumpet)

Richard of Gloucester leads the Yorkist forces, orders the hanging of prisoners, and plans the surprise attack on Shoreby.

### [The Battle of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-the-battle-of-shoreby)

Leads the Yorkist assault, chooses the Chequers as headquarters, knights Dick, and reveals his obsession with killing Earl Risingham.

### [The Battle of Shoreby (Concluded)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-battle-of-shoreby-concluded)

Leads the decisive cavalry charge that breaks the Lancastrian lines, personally defeats Earl Risingham, and shows his characteristic ruthlessness and reward.

### [The Sack of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-sack-of-shoreby)

Commands the Yorkist forces, grants Dick lances but warns him that mercy will cost him favor.

### [VII: Dick’s Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-dick-s-revenge)

Referenced as 'yon crooked devil' by Sir Daniel; Dick's brief favour with him is mentioned.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/viii-conclusion)

Crosses paths with the wedding party, offers Joanna a marriage, and departs with his army.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/endnotes)

Mentioned in endnotes regarding the anachronistic use of his title 'Duke of Gloucester' and his actual younger age at the time of the story.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/richard_of_gloucester
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters