Richard III The New Evidence

[@dickyboyryw]

Dominic's not just a good sport, he's also polite, helpful & considerate in nature. I met him at Bosworth a couple of years back. He does public speaking now, too. Bringing fresh youth & enthusiasm to 15th century history.

[@equarg]

Glad he is doing ok. I hope the experience brought him great joy and some good karma. I think Richards Ghost would of approved of this kid.

[@chriscarson7384]

Glad to see this. The one thing I kept wondering as I watched the program was whether anyone helped Dominic to get a job when the experiment was all over. As someone with scoliosis, I am very impressed with what he did!

[@stephenbrumwell399]

Dominic's achievement is all the more remarkable when you consider that Richard, as the son of a noble family, would have been trained in combat skills and horsemanship from late boyhood. By the time of his death, fighting in armour on foot and horseback must have been instinctive. Dominic, from a totally different background, managed to learn a great deal in a matter of months, thanks to some excellent coaching, but above all, his own determination. Whether kept the tailor-made armour or not, I'm sure that he's got some great footage, and memories of the whole experience. I think Richard III would have been happy to have him on his side at Bosworth. Hopefully this inspirational film will reach a wide audience.

[@yeomane]

Richard III was a great man. I would have loved to meet him.

[@Morna777]

Good point. I hope he got to keep the armor!

[@carlycrays2831]

I believe he spent a lot of time at Medieval fairs. Not the same training, but he did seem to have to basis

[@livvydunham]

Dominic is a thousand times cooler than most of us could ever hope to be.

[@ResearchNational]

I dont know, im pretty cool.

[@michaelrg3836]

I'm assuming Dominic is now the permanent Richard III actor at Bosworth re-enactments?!

[@MegaBrokenstar]

Dominic’s resemblance to contemporary descriptions and portraits of Richard is uncanny. And the fact he was, before any of this, drawn to reenactment at Bosworth Field…. Really makes you wonder if somewhere buried in his ancestry there’s a connection

[@geoffreyrose5255]

Richard's a first cousin 15 times removed. Mom Cicely is a great grand aunt. Got scoliosis. Not quite as bad as Richard or Dominic, but in the old age it hurts. Never stopped me from heavy manual labor or street fighting or boxing.

[@MegaBrokenstar]

Also, the more you watch this, the more you realize Dominic actually had to literally become a medieval warrior with full training and equipment for this Doc. What a badass.

[@melodiewilliams]

Huge kudos to Dominic! He did a great job. One thing they didn't mention about Richard's final years is that he was grieving the loss of both his son and his wife. Undoubtedly becoming king gave him access to much more and richer food, but some people over-eating and drinking while grieving has always been a thing when they can afford it.

[@leananshae]

What an amazing young man Dominic Smee is... he really stepped up and did an incredible job. I hope he has a wonderful full life.

[@christosvoskresye]

I agree totally. He did something beautiful, a loyalty through more than 500 years, and it deserves to be rewarded.

[@kimberleylorente5173]

Leananshae I find him very inspiring.

[@bureaucratbayonet]

They shouldve payed for the full suit of armor for him

[@ziblot1235]

I agree. What an impressive young guy. If Rich III was half the man, then he must have been quite strong.

[@Tawadeb]

Yes so do i

[@jazzhuman]

What a wonderful story. My congratulations to Dominic for going through this rigorous training to give us a glimpse into Richard's life.

[@deaconsmom2000]

Richard III was a badass; no one can take that away from him. It's pretty amazing when you consider his profound scoliosis, but I don't think he let anything stop him until the Battle of Bosworth Field.

[@eac1235]

As it is he killed Brandon, Henry Tudors friend and had Lord Stanley not committed treason, Richard was less than 6 feet from killing Henry and would have done so easily. Henry could fight but he had a fixed eye which limited his vision.

[@0hMyLife]

Including 2 princes in a tower......

[@BrooklynGirl136]

It’s actually questionable whether he was responsible for their deaths. A good case has also been made for Buckingham, who was extremely ambitious and was also descended from Edward III.

[@charity6372]

Can I just say Dominic Smee is a bonafide badass 💪

[@zaphodtrillian]

Three cheers for the young lad who showed a big set of hairy balls volunteering for this . It would not have been the show it was without you son! Good on yer!

[@christosvoskresye]

Given that rock stars get knighthoods for ... being famous? ... he should have been given a knighthood for struggling to restore honor to a dead King of England.

[@Himaryous]

Amazing, inspiring story. Dominick should play Richard III in a film. Study acting and film for a couple of years, Dominick!

[@charlesw5919]

The experiment does lend credibility to the idea that he might've been a great warrior. If someone with the same handicap, but without lifelong training in arms could be combat functional after some training and exercises, it is plausible Richard III could've been what the chronicles of the time described him to be.

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

check out, Götz von Berlichingen

[@tannerthepanman9202]

Very plausible considering what youve already mentioned about richard already having extensive training. Dominic himself was capable enough as well.

[@GaelinW]

Exactly this. Richard would be been trained to ride and fight practically from birth. He would have had years to learn how to compensate for his body weaknesses and build up endurance.

[@JohnYoo39]

Agreed. He also would have had the advantage of a high-protein and highly nutritious diet throughout his life unlike many of the footsoldiers he would have been cutting down.

[@deniaridley]

​@@GaelinW Exactly. And since his scoliosis didn't develop until just before puberty, he would've already had a few years of training in a healthy body beforehand. The boost in strength into adolescence and then full adulthood, plus the advantage over most everyone of a better diet and medical care helped as well.

[@francescaseyer4709]

Profoundly impressed by the courage of Dominic Smee on agreeing to this most daunting of undertakings. I am very grateful to him for coming forward, for braving the near-impossible tasks, and redeeming in the eyes of many the last Plantagenet king that was Richard, son of York ❤️

[@TimberwolfC14]

Dominic did his best in the time given him. Richard on the other hand would have been doing this his whole life. before becoming king he had taken a lead in a number of battles so being in armor and fighting for prolonged periods would have been the norm. his armor-smith would have been able to fit him without any real difficulties as he would have been in hi employ probably from day 1.

[@maxasaurus3008]

Yes damnit yes! My thoughts exactly! Richard would be working out his whole life and eating the best diet available. That said Dominic couldn’t have been a better sport and the balls he must have! Very courageous! Sorry I’m six years late on this comment.

[@zarasbazaar]

Richard would have trained since childhood in battle techniques. He would have built up the stamina and had much more muscle development than an ordinary person, despite the scoliosis.

[@craigmacaskill988]

Britain's last true warrior king ...

[@persephone2706]

_Loyalty Binds Me_ was his motto.

[@dedebones1967]

yes

[@LATINOBLKLV4U]

Usurper nonetheless!

[@craigmacaskill7595]

@@LATINOBLKLV4U Disagree. Henry VII was the usurper

[@LATINOBLKLV4U]

@@craigmacaskill7595I totally disagree! At least Henry was king by the right of conquest! He didnt had to locked up & make his nephews disappear.

[@Jadeserphant]

What a guy! I hope Dominic will write a book about the experience from his point of veiw. They really threw a lot of different challenges at him. Skills Richard would have learned over a lifetime, challenges he overcame, Dominic didn't even blink at. Thanks to this remarkable young man, we understand so much more now.

[@colderwar]

I hope they gave him the armour after the filming was finished...

[@HebaruSan]

In another video about this documentary, Dr Capwell mentions that the guy is trying to raise funds to complete the armor, so I think he did get to keep it, possibly as compensation for participating.

[@dockmasterted]

when you say "trying to raise funds to COMPLETE THE ARMOR" says to me that he got to keep only the parts that were done to make it for his spine curvature. .......I could be wrong but the stuff like the helmet, and arms and legs might have been kept from him.... because in the film he had a full set of armor....... right?

[@HebaruSan]

Lar Mayotte Right, Capwell said some parts of it were borrowed from the Wallace Collection, I believe, since they didn't need to be custom made.

[@dockmasterted]

AHH that explains a lot!......thanks my friend for enlightening us all.

[@LutzDerLurch]

They had a very tight budget and time limitations, so they were only able to make the legas and breast/back. Arms, Shoulders and Helmet they ought to lend out of the wallace collection stores..

[@alvarosager9206]

Dominic did great! I'm very impressed. This shows that Richard wasn't hindered from fighting, riding etc because of his back, and since he had trained in these arts since childhood he was probably very skilled at it, regardless of back troubles.

[@CarlaB1B2]

Way to go Dominic Smee, you can do anything that you please! Brilliant

[@Gaylafay]

This young man, Dominic Smee, make me cry. He was so damn AWESOME.

[@violetalexander442]

The scoliosis may be the same, but Richard trained to be a warrior since very young, so he was surely well made and muscular in spite of not being thick boned. In this I agree with litwriter 100 and Patricia Carlisle. I am sure mostly everyone at that time had worms and wine kept you healthy against the filthy water that could be available, this one agrees with Strefanasha as well as the treason of Stanley. The unhorsing was definitely a problem as Petronius Arbiter II says, but he was a very well trained warrior. Now, as Patricia Carlisle says, it was Stanley's betrayal that won the battle. He could have cut Henry Tudor in half in a wink and he was so close to it. No one can fight all those that cowardly charged him, yet he fought to his end. How can he be considered weak and feeble? And shame on Shakespeare, it is clear he wrote for Tudor! Richard was only 32 when he died, not an old hunchback with a limp and a withered arm!

[@gemmapayne8995]

+Time Forwar I'm glad you've solved this with your armful of actual facts and not total conjecture...Oh wait...Actually the only technically accurate part of your statement is the word "probably" as there is no actual fact any singular thing you've written actually happened bar the sword, anything else should be preempted with the fact that your opinion does not equal factual evidence.

[@gemmapayne8995]

you have a degree, colour me impressed and yet scholars who also studied history still do not fully agree on Richards motivations during his reign hence why they continue to discuss it at length and the fact the Richard the third society even exists, also how does one run their mouth with a keyboard? 

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

Mental aptitude of one via his inner drive to go forth & considering what medical skills were at the time he was one of those people who did not give up till the end literally, just ask Götz von Berlichingen or professor Stephen Hawking

[@saradecapua3264]

Violet Alexander I have fairly severe scoliosis and the only way you would know is to look at x-rays

[@NeptunesLagoon]

Dominic laid to rest the idea that Dominic was a feeble man... and Richard III too...

[@coffeemachtspass]

Dominic’s participation really did tie this documentary together. Well done.

[@Alembic77Series1]

After the documentary, I wonder if the knights that rode with him were tempted to call him "Sir Dominic" or "Lord Smee?" If they ever make a real movie about Richard III, this kid would be a good a good candidate for the leading role.

[@frakkintoasterluvva7920]

Not really, since 1) apart from the scoliosis, he looks absolutely nothing like him, and 2) he's not an actor. A good candidate for the leading role would be someone who is a talented actor and at least somewhat looks like Richard. It's not like he's going to be walking naked and showing his back throughout the movie, anyway.

[@LilGlock123]

FrakkinToaster Luvva

[@Bklyn93]

I think facially there is enough of a similarity to Richard; just dye his hair brown.

[@BethDiane]

Or not dye his hair brown; another documentary about RIII says he has a high probability of having been blond, at least in childhood.

[@BethDiane]

OTOH, he does have one prominent feature that Richard the third lacked. He's left-handed, and if Richard the third had been left handed, certainly all the people trying to paint him as innately evil would have mentioned it.

[@Theresa1057]

Scoliosis I had it until my 10 inch Titanium rod in my back.. I never even knew I had it, I did Hair for 37 years and now find it was the worst Job Profession I could have picked, I have a severe reverse Neck curve to, Never stopped me from riding my horse..His Father was my 14th great-grandfather Richard Plantagenet Duke of York (1411 - 1460)

[@Tawadeb]

Wow you’re a descendant very cool

[@Theresa1057]

@@Tawadeb on my fathers side my 10th great grandfather was Prince Fernando of Avalon, he became King of Avalon, he had a son and a daughter if I remember correctly with Aldonza, she was pregnant before Fernando met and married Isabela of Spain, she gave his 2 children with Aldonza royal titles! I have a lot of Royal ancestry on both sides of my tree

[@Theresa1057]

Oh And Pocahontas is my 12th great grandmother on my mother’s side of the tree!

[@dickvarga6908]

Richard III was not the "last English king to die in battle". He was the ONLY English king (other than Harold Godwinson whose reign as king is dispited) to die in battle.

[@phoenixrising4573]

....... therefore, the LAST one. Trying to be picky, and proving the people you wanted to be snarky to right...

[@henryplantagenet219]

What about Richard I.? Of siege does not count?

[@pitmezzari2873]

@@henryplantagenet219 didn't die in combat.

[@gonzoblue1206]

3 English kings are said to have died in battle Harold II , Richard the 1st, and Richard the 3rd. we can dispute if Harold was a king but he did die in battle. Richard the 1st died in battle fighting rebellion nobles while in France. so at least 2 if not 3 kings died in battle.

[@alexshadowfax1119]

Academics and historians hear that someone had a disability, adversity to overcome, and they think oh he couldn't ride a horse, he couldn't fight, he couldn't do what other knights did, they never account for will power and human spirit! Thanks for the video, have a great day everyone

[@fingerprint5511]

This is a terrific docco and Dominic is such a gift

[@chamaleon1963]

as a scoliotic I am not surprised by King Richard's and Dominc abilities, I am 58 years old, a severe scoliosis, similar to the well known, I teach Yoga, I practice martial arts and I am a passionate cyclist and mountain biker .... if you exercise, scoliosis is not a limiting factor. for example, one of the greatest weightlifters was Lamar Gant, 10 times world champion and with severe scoliosis In 1980 Lamar set the 123 lb class world records in the bench press (320 lb) and deadlift (634 lb). In 1988 he set the 132 lb world record in the deadlift (672 lb).

[@carlycrays2831]

I believe Richard the III did tire quicker, but that seems to have been something he factored into his campaigns. The problem at the end of that he just couldn't sustain the pace of the battle and got squashed in

[@michaeltroster9059]

Dominic proved himself capable of learning the knightly skills.

[@jcortese3300]

This was instructive for me as well. I also have scoliosis although not as profoundly as Dominic, and I've always been easily winded and impatient with myself over it. Looks like I should start cutting myself a break. My lungs are doing their best in a ribcage that isn't cooperating. All kudos to this delightful young man for his ambition and efforts. I hope that he took the lesson to heart that while his back may get in the way on some areas, in others it's not a problem at all and there are athletic and other competitive endeavors where he can even excel.

[@GenerationJonesi]

Experimental archaeology is fantastic! Kudos to the Dominic for taking on this project.

[@kaarlimakela3413]

One of the most satisfying resolutions of a random historic mystery I've ever seen. All in all, who'd have thunk it? Well done, young Smee ... I'm a fan. :) So glad Richard III is getting a rep-rehab. He belongs a bit closer on the Royal spectrum to the 'If-Only-What-Could-Have-Been' Monarchs ... and a bit further from the wicked, vicious, mad specimen Shakespeare invented for Tudor propaganda purposes ...

[@patriciacarlisle5079]

he would have won this battle if not for the Stanleys' betrayal.

[@anja1627]

patricia carlisle The late Stanley. haha. But it's already in the past that has shaped us into what we are now.

[@Tawadeb]

That’s what’s so sad

[@juliancain3872]

Considering Richard was holding his son's life hostage, and that Henry VII was the guy's stepson, can't say I much sympathize with him.

[@gigicolada]

Dominic is impressive. I have a straight spine and each time they threw something new at him I thought, “oh hell no”. The horse is where I would tap out.

[@TheLittledikkins]

My guess is the wine was to dull the pain of degenerative arthritis -- I have that and believe me I'd be drinking a lot if I didn't have modern medication.

[@leza6288]

Dominick is an amazing young man!!! I’m so impressed with his spirit and his determination to keep pressing through difficult and new tasks! I ride horses but I can’t imagine riding in armor or carrying that gigantic spike!!! Way to go Dominick!!!! Wish you much happiness and success in your life.

[@KayEl58]

I've only ridden once in my life and I was quite nervous. I was amazed to see Dominic in control of a horse going at full gallop in only his fifth lesson. I'd have been terrified! He faced everything from mounting a horse for the first time, to re enacting a battle scene, fearlessly. Thanks to him we learned things about King Richard III that could only be guessed at if he hadn't been up for the challenge.

[@anja1627]

It's just amazing that now with all the advanced technology and science this was made possible. We could now at least unravel part of Richard's life.

[@dorotheapreis4925]

Thank you for giving us, who do not live in the UK, a chance to see this.

[@yvettejones5323]

What a perfect time for Richard III to have been found. Dominic was needed in this time period in order to prove Shakespeare's physical accounts of him to have been wrong. The entire analysis of Richard III is to prove that he was weak and feeble because he was deformed. Dominic has shown that Richard III was anything but. He HAD to be in order to have survived in the 1400s. He had to be able to fight and his family would have spared no expense over his life to keep him safe and fit to fight. Richard's weakness, really, was hand-to-hand combat. Once he was off his horse, he was dead. Dominic will have a place in history as the man who proved the physical strength of Richard III; how amazing is that?!

[@harrygallagher4125]

This is interesting, yes, but absurd. The proof is in the pudding, as it is said. Obviously Richard III was a proven warrior. In other words, he did it. I also suspect that Richard was far more robust in physique than this slender young man unused to the physical demands of Richard's times. Richard was no high tech "nerd" As far as endurance, one cannot underestimate the power of adrenalin as in battle. I give kudos to this young man, but think what Richard had been capable of.

[@Heidenspross]

+litwriter100 and properly trained... all his life... guess that makes a difference...

[@harrygallagher4125]

+Heidenspross Indeed. Why, Shakespeare has Richard in the thick of the battle at St. Albans when he was but two years old! Now that is precocious!

[@Heidenspross]

+litwriter100 biting ankles... ;-)

[@idontgiveafaboutyou]

He did what?

[@iamhop]

+litwriter100 Agreed. About the only thing they did here was prove it was possible which was already proven! Also totally agree with the tiring out assessment. A little different when there are people trying to kill you!

[@nadinewoel2639]

Richard of York faced so many challenges He was a child of war The 100 Year War or War of the Roses - Lancaster (red rose) vs York (white rose) It's amazing that in 1485 he lived to be in his 30s A true warrior king

[@dr1Voss48]

England's last true warrior king! May he rest in the company of his fathers and Saint George!

[@tattoobillyband7725]

Also Richard was renowned as a general and warrior and was considered a hero long before he was villain he would have started training to be warrior about seven years of age and his weapon of choice was war hammer and battle axe

[@TheKeyser94]

You mean, long before he was made a villain.

[@Ronaldl2350]

Huge props to Dominic. He did a fantastic job, soaked up the instructions like a sponge! And executed it all like a pro.

[@marshaprice8226]

I am so glad to find this program on KZbin! I had seen it when it was originally on TV and had hoped to find it again amid all the videos about Richard III. It certainly sheds light on the truth of contemporary reports of Richard's prowess as a warrior knight and also reveals what about his physical condition would have made fighting difficult for him.

[@weepingwillows9588]

Whatever people want to say about Richard....you've got to admire his resolve and fighting spirit. He had to deal with extra pain, learn how to be that much quicker and skilled than the others to conserve the energy...and to think he was dealing with the arthritis pain later on top of some stupid parasite giving him all those intestinal problems (I know what that's like)...basically he had to work that much harder on top of pain and sickness and was respected even by his enemies for his fighting spirit...fighting ferociously to the death. Respect. [Also, the whole "my kingdom for a horse!!!!" thing tho seems super relevant given that staying on a horse might have helped his situation in the battlefield even more than the average-spined king...sorry Ricadians b.c Shakespeare ;p]

[@peggyt1243]

As someone else pointed out, at the 45:26 mark, Dominic Smee is "renamed" Richard Smee in the credits. Dominic did an excellent job.

[@idontgiveafaboutyou]

That's funny

[@idontgiveafaboutyou]

But yes he did a good job

[@hoangvanoan845]

That Richard III was stripped naked after battle was a very popular thing in medieval and early modern warfare. Almost every dead soldier's body suffered to that fate. There were so many battlefield thieves who stole clothes and properties from the bodies in that period.

[@09stoneheart]

Richard had fought before he was king, seen a lot a death, lost both his brothers, his son, his wife, and had to face down Henry Tudor. If he was a heavy drinker, added onto the nature of his social station, it wouldn't be that surprising to hear.

[@editedbylaurel]

I agree. He suffered a lot in his life. Poor Richard

[@katiekress7287]

Wine and beer were safer to drink than water.

[@BrooklynGirl136]

They all drank a lot. And yes, he suffered a lot of loss. He lost three brothers, not two. His father was also killed in battle.

[@gloriahanes6490]

Amazing, brave Dominic to take on such a task as Richard III would have done to endure during the battle, "War of the Roses". Physically challenged but otherwise capable to hold his own .... quite commendable. Richard III was targeted and dismounted as "easy" prey on foot. He more than likely had enemies within his army who were on the side of the Tudor. Conspiracy and treachery are traits found throughout history. In conclusion, I read each and every commentary and it seems Richard III still has a following in England, America, and throughout Europe. A great king to be remembered as a direct descendent of great warriors!

[@markgideon23]

It's insightful to learn that it's not our inborn physical disability that holds us back to achieve and do great things but primarily; our lifestyle, diet, and self-discipline. amazing documentary! love the medieval suits!

[@Chode216]

That must have been a rush leading a armored cavalry charge.

[@ariellann6183]

I really liked this documentary, to actually see someone with Richard's deformity, even though the situations between the two are completely different. I also liked that it gave Dominik the confidence to realize if he could do this, he could do anything. Obviously Stanley declaring for Henry determined the outcome of the battle. But Richard getting removed from his horse didn't help. I think he would have died anyway, unless he could have got another horse.

[@billybatts1261]

Dominic Smee. Hats off to you.

[@BigLovinB]

I'm American, and I find all of this fascinating. My maternal bloodline comes from Lincolnshire, so it's part of my heritage too. I can't tolerate other Americans who belittle the interest that the British have in their monarchs. Richard III was MY monarch too!

[@pommiebears]

BigLovinB I’m glad you are so connected with your history. We are our past ancestry. We have DNA from ALL of our past contributions. Maybe those that don’t agree with your interest have......monarch envy! Lol! 👑

[@AnthonyCassidy50]

Great story! I hope Dominic is able to treat his condition with the money he got from this documentary.

[@1258-Eckhart]

All gratitude to Dominic Smee for cooperating so fully with this - at times onerous - historical research and for helping to rehabilitate Richard to his proper place: A King who died fighting valiantly.

[@paulinecole8219]

I'm sure Richard wanted to be discovered - now he can Rest In Peace. A funeral fit for a KING with over 5k to view. But NO royals to attend. "Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house In the deep bosom beneath the ocean floor. "

[@soidog659]

Great job Dominic Smee. Thank you.

[@anja1627]

So true! During the medieval period, you become king by winning battles and wars. But the real business then comes down to how you rule because winning and ruling are not the same. Anyways, kodus to Dominic for being up to the challenge. Quite remarkable! :)

[@msinvincible2000]

Damn! Doctor Who narrates a documentary about Richard III, how awesome is that?

[@proinseasokiellig4388]

I loved Dominic's exceptional focus,..he is truly a martial artist

[@chipperterri]

Ty ..I live in the US..was hoping this would be uploaded

[@bretnielsen5502]

I have spent my life advancing Richard III's innocence of the Tudor smear campaign. Dominic has exceeded all my expectations by his physical abilities.

[@LuisaRodriguez0212]

The Tudors used plays by Shakespeare to spread propaganda (lies) about King Richard III. I studied the history of the War of the Rose's and always wished that the underlying issues could have been resolved without the violence of War. There were decent people on both sides of the argument. They were related after all was said and done.

[@samanthathompson9812]

Who do you think killed his nephews? Why did he keep them hidden away and dismiss their servants?

[@carolsmith8719]

Excellent documentary. Thanks for sharing this with us!

[@pacificrules]

That was an AWESOME documentary of the last Plantagenet "warrior" king. Thanks for sharing.

[@threeeyedgoddess7635]

outstanding thanks for posting this fantastic documentary

[@jeffbaxter8770]

Well done Dom, loved your dedication once you'd accepted the challenge. Proud of you, friend. South Africa 🇿🇦

[@samprastherabbit]

That was suchna great interview- so in depth and conversational!

[@itsjustme0123]

Amazing! Thank you so much for uploading, I would have never seen this.

[@RosietheRiveter11]

Great documentary! Great job Dominic!

[@jimhesseinhawaii8087]

What a brave soul is Dominic! And an excellent program on Richard III's dilemma; I'm sharing RIII's story for our reading of Shakespeare's play next month & this is a great help!

[@marieelena]

Great documentary,I like that young man,Dominic...he is such a nice kid!

[@heathermcfarlane6164]

I think one can take into account Richard's personal life: he has lost his wife and his son. This would probably have caused some depression, and more drinking and eating that in earlier life.

[@Tawadeb]

Good point

[@trevorfuson715]

Shakespeare and history all claimed that Richard the third was a misformred hunchback but the truth was he only had scoliosis. The place they found him was an old parking lot that was built on top of a monastery graveyard. They had painted over each grave but marking Richards with a 'K' . That's why they located it immediately .

[@paulspice4717]

Absolutely brilliant history program. Thank you Dominic for risking your health for wonderful research. Thank you all.

[@treebird44]

Thank for sharing this video. this is a great story.

[@insaneone4369]

And the Tudor Myth prevails.

[@dhruvgehlot7533]

Absolutely Incredible Story! Super Spooking Good Luck!

[@persephone2706]

The last true warrior king. Thank you Dominic, you have done history a great service.

[@delaineyjohnson4262]

This was very interesting! I was supposed to watch this for school, so it was surprising that I enjoyed it this much.

[@dickvarga6908]

My father had a serious curvature of his spine caused by an accident at approx 6 yrs old. From the side his spine had a large "C" - shaped curve with the chest almost as deep front to back as wide side to side, from the back, head to tail, his spine was completely straight, his condition did not stop him from living a long life (died 10 days short of his 85 birthday) as a farmer, coalminer, railway construction worker (too short and light weight - 5'6" & 145 lbs) ,blaster, cook, construction labourer, brewery worker, dairy worker, cowboy, rodeo bronc rider (and one semi-pro ride as a jockey), and smuggler and bootlegger (alledgedly, ha ha). Scoliosis with a sideways curvature would have been much more restrictive and painful. Dad took no drugs and did not have arthritis.

[@leighfoulkes7297]

Very uplifting and inspiring documentary.

[@00muinamir]

Here because Simon Whistler just sent me (and doubtless several others) down a rabbit hole to watch Dominic be a badass.

[@fanatlarge]

Thanks for uploading!!!

[@IgorBoris]

Though I do not have any personal experience with scoliosis and the physical restrictions that it imposes, I do have experience with fighting in armour. When you have your own tailor made armour and gear as both Richard (had) and Dominic has, the armour moves with you, it becomes an extension of your body. Despite the weight, a well fit set of gear will offer minimal physical resistance to your natural movements. Though Richard’s condition would have provided some degree of physical restriction, he would have trained and adapted to work/fight with what he has. I train and fight (HMB) in nearly 30kg of gear, when you train the weight becomes nothing.

[@PetroniusArbiter2]

+South West Medieval Combat - Well, hand-to-hand combat is just bloody dangerous, no matter who you are, no matter your health, skill, fatigue level, even how well-armored doesn't matter all that much. So much depends on the luck of the draw, do your opponents get a chance to strike someplace vulnerable etc. Plus, infantry soldiers will likely be just as skilled as you are, probably more so if most of your experience is on horseback. I think the producers got it right: once Richard was unhorsed, his doom was very nearly sealed right then.

[@kaarlimakela3413]

I admire the young Mr. Smee very much. He gets high marks for helping to clear up a historical poser covered with 500 years of dust ... But I also can imagine the pride he earned for his pains ... (and I'm sure compensation went further than that) ... pride involving giving 'the bird' to those who might under-estimate anyone who has a notable 'disability' ...

[@MandyCummins]

From the moment the narrator begins, I knew the voice immediately. I would know Chris Eccleston anywhere.

[@janicechamberlain2254]

Mandy Cummins

[@janicechamberlain2254]

Mandy Cummins

[@Tawadeb]

Great narrating

[@marquilla]

I'm still watching, but so far they have compared the curvature in Richard III's and Dominic's spines, but they did not comment on the measurements of the rib cage, I mean, Richard would have been of a more athletic build, he'd fought in battles since the age of, what, 10? He would have been more adapted and well-prepared to that sort of physical strain, and I would assume his rib cage would have been bigger to compensate for the presumably less than average lung capacity - does that make sense? So I think a body double gives reasonable insight as far as flexibility is concerned, but not stamina.

[@elisemarie5140]

I don't see how it makes any sense at all, quite frankly. There are people with my build who can do gymnastics and I can't, and most people with my build can't drive truck and I can. They're just completely ignoring the fact that people have brains. People with disabilities find work-arounds and cope with pain all the time. I don't think their premise has any validity. And this particular guy has no muscle on him at all. That doesn't mean everyone else with scoliosis has to be like that.

[@MoonfaceMartin88]

Elise Marie But the point was to see if Richard could have done what he is reported to have done with his disability. So do you not think the plaudibility of the reports is underminded with this film? After all, a guy that had nothing in commin with the bred-for-kingship Richard, other than his disability? A guy with a spine twisted like this can - after eight weeks of training - ride a horse full-tilt down a hill, in full armour and hit a standing target fullspeed with half of a young tree. I think this is quite impressive.

[@BethDiane]

marquilla "More athletic" doesn't necessarily mean "bigger," if that's what you're getting at. Richard III''s skeleton is described as "gracile," which implies that he was slight of build, matching descriptions we have of the living man, "slender as a girl."

[@gwendys3332]

His bones were gracile and robust. He was a slender, delicate man but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a great warrior with a brave heart or anything.

[@mace8873]

Fighting in battle since the age of 10? No, just no. To the best of my knowledge, the youngest English king who fought in battle was Henry V, and that was at the age of 16, a ten-year-old is no match for anyone.

[@WickedFelina]

CORRECTION: Shakespeare said he had a "hunchback" NOT a "curvature." There is a BIG difference.

[@Verdunveteran]

Very interesting! :) Thanks for the upload!

[@juniper617]

Kudos to Dominic. Well done for coming forward, for meeting every challenge, and for withstanding all the clinical examinations with good grace.

[@PacificCircle1]

Rib cage deformities like, pectus excavatum, can impair breathing. I have much in common with Dominic. I never could keep up with the other kids and teens. Maybe breathing issues prevented enough physical activity to develop normally. I've always been skinny like Dominic.

[@rugratrik]

This documentary réálly empasizes what a brilliant playwright Shakespeare was, with the line "A Horse! My Kingdom for a Horse!" getting a whole new meaning. On a horse, Richard was as good as any of them, but on foot, he had a handicap. On a horse, he could be King. So why not trade a vipers den for, in Dominic's words, feeling/becoming like a juggernaut?

[@carafrance7697]

This documentary looks at one aspect of Richard III: his physical problems. What can't be measured was Richard's resolve to keep his crown. He was a fierce warrior before and after he was king.

[@michaelwills1926]

King Richard III: the last true warrior king.