Richard Ratcliffe

Some sources name Ratcliffe as the person who gave the order to execute Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers (beheaded Jun 1483).

[1] When Richard became king he gave Ratcliffe a number of offices, including the currently attainted hereditary High Sheriff of Westmorland, and made him a Knight of the Garter.

Ratcliffe was one of the two councillors (the other was William Catesby) who are reputed to have told the king that marrying Elizabeth of York would cause rebellions in the north.

[1] Ratcliffe appears in William Shakespeare's play Richard III as a minor character who executes Rivers, Grey and Vaughn.

[6] In the 1995 film version (starring Ian McKellen, and adapted to a 1930s setting), Ratcliffe is portrayed by Bill Paterson, and acts as (King) Richard's batman.