American Toby Jug Museum 

Richard III character jug produced by Royce Wood of Derby, England, circa 1985. Richard III (1452-1485), the ugly and deformed brother of Edward IV, became the last Plantagenet king in 1483. His reign brought on the revolt that ended the War of the Roses. After Edward IV's death, Richard became the protector of the twelve-year-old heir to the throne, Edward V. When the family of the young king's mother's tried to seize power, Richard crushed the conspiracy, gaining the crown for himself. He banished young Edward to the Tower of London where eventually he was put to death. Although Richard governed well, the people grew tired of civil disturbances. In the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, Richard was killed by forces led by Henry Tudor, the Earl of Richmond, who later became King as Henry VII. Shakespeare immortalized Richard III in one of his most popular plays. The head of a white horse forms the handle of the jug.