This article is more than 11 months old

This article is more than 11 months old

There are many who believe Richard III has an undeservedly malignant reputation. For the historian David Starkey it is not malignant enough.

He was a “murderous thug”, Starkey said on Tuesday as he unveiled a late 16th-century portrait of the king, which goes on public display from Wednesday for the first time.

The portrait has been purchased from a private collection by Hever Castle in Kent to hang in its Long Gallery, filling a gap in its remarkable collection of royal historic portraits.

Starkey is delighted by the purchase, less so by the man, calling attempts to improve Richard III’s reputation “a fascinating example of the English fascination with a loser”.

One of the “funniest events in recent history”, Starkey said, was the reburial ceremony after the discovery of Richard’s body in a car park. “A ludicrous performance complete with Diana-esque scenes of public sobbing and mourning.”

The newly displayed portrait is an example of the only painted portrait of Richard, best known from a 16th-century panel in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.

A ludicrous performance complete with Diana-esque scenes of public sobbing and mourning' David Starkey on the reburial ceremony

It shows the king placing a ring on his extraordinarily long little finger, seen by some as evidence of his despicably cruel nature.

Starkey said it was important to put Richard III, who reigned for two years before defeat at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, in a house devoted to the Tudors and in a gallery – which he has curated – which tells their story.

“Richard III is the real founder of the House of Tudor. If he hadn’t split the House of York we would have never heard of Henry VII. Henry, Earl of Richmond would have been some forgotten exile.”

The newly purchased painting has been in private collections for many years. Duncan Leslie, Hever Castle’s chief executive, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to purchase this painting and further enhance the historical experience we offer. It is an important addition to better tell the story of the Tudors, or rather how they came about.”

Different people will look at the portrait and see different things. Starkey says he looks at it and sees the former prime minister Gordon Brown. “That twitch, that nervous intensity, the fiddling with the hands, the frown.”

The painting goes on display from 2 October, 567 years to the day since Richard III was born.