Summary
Richard’s arrival into the world was marked by immense suffering, leading his mother to view him as a monster and despise him from the start. While she rejected him, his father remained oblivious to this hatred and provided the only source of affection in Richard’s life. As a result, Richard grew up as a tormented child, plagued by strange visions of Joan of Arc, who warned him that he was a demon to be feared. He also struggled with a deep-seated fear of abandonment. Physically fragile and lacking the skill of his older brothers, Richard underwent rigorous training to compensate for his weaknesses and meet their high expectations. Despite his mother’s neglect, he was accepted by the rest of his family. His upbringing fostered a profound longing to be near his father, driving him to strive for greatness through his efforts while he waited for his father to ascend to the throne.
