In 1480s in England England in the Late Middle Ages, Richard III of England, the Duke of Gloucester (Vincent Price), is dismayed when his dying brother King Edward IV of England names their brother George, Duke of Clarence as Protector to his young son and heir, Edward V of England. Richard wants the position himself, to become ''de facto'' ruler after his brother's death. He secretly stabs George to death with a dagger bearing the crest of the Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers, framing the dying king's in-laws. Richard is now named Protector. His wife Anne Neville approves of his crime and encourages him to take the throne for himself.