Biography of Bishop William Dudley 1425-1483

On 23rd September 1459 a Lancastrian army of James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet [aged 61] and [his father] John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 58] fought with a Yorkist army commanded by Richard Neville Earl Salisbury [aged 59] at Blore Heath, Staffordshire [Map] whilst he, Salisbury, was travelling to Ludlow [Map] to join up with the main Yorkist army. Forewarned by scouts Salisbury arranged his troops into battle order the night before, arranging his wagons defensively, and digging trenches.

The Yorkist army included John Conyers [aged 48], Thomas Harrington [aged 59], James Harrington [aged 29], John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu [aged 28], William Stanley [aged 24], Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley [aged 26], John Savile, Walter Strickland [aged 48] and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock [aged 59].

The Lancastrian army included brothers John Dutton, Thomas Dutton [aged 38] and Peter Dutton who were killed.

James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet was killed, probably by Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley. His son John [aged 33] succeeded 6th Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, 3rd Baron Tuchet. Anne Echingham Baroness Audley Heighley [aged 39] by marriage Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire.

John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley and Edmund Sutton [aged 34] were captured. Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles [aged 53] fought.

William Troutbeck [aged 23], Richard Molyneux of Sefton and John Egerton [aged 55] were killed.

After the battle Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England [aged 29] took refuge at Eccleshall Castle, Staffordshire [Map]. Thomas Harrington, John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu and Thomas Neville [aged 29] were captured at Acton Bridge, Tarporley [Map] and imprisoned at Chester Castle [Map] having been detached from the main Yorkist force.

On 17th April 1483 the coffin of Edward IV [deceased] was carried to Westminster Abbey [Map] by Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 21], John Savage [aged 39], Thomas Wortley [aged 50], Thomas Molyneux [aged 38], probably John Welles 1st Viscount Welles [aged 33] who had married Edward's daughter Cecily), John Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne [aged 41], Walter Hungerford [aged 19], Guy Wolston [aged 50], John Sapcote [aged 35], Thomas Tyrrell [aged 30], John Risley, Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 15], John Norreys, Louis de Bretelles and John Comyn 4th Lord Baddenoch.

Those in the procession included:

Thomas St Leger [aged 43], widow of Edward's sister Anne.

William Parr [aged 49].

John Astley.

William Stonor [aged 33].

Henry Ferrers [aged 40].

James Radclyffe [aged 43].

George Browne [aged 43].

Gilbert Debenham [aged 51].

John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk [aged 58] walked in front of the coffin with Edward's personal arms.

John Marlow Abbot Bermondsey followed by:

Bishop Thomas Kempe [aged 93].

Bishop John Hales [aged 83] (Bishop of Chester?).

Bishop Robert Stillington [aged 63].

Bishop Edward Story.

Bishop Richard Bell.

Bishop James Goldwell.

Bishop William Dudley [aged 58].

Bishop John Russell.

Cardinal John Morton [aged 63] (as Bishop of Ely).

Bishop Edmund Tuchet [aged 40] (as Bishop of Rochester).

Bishop Peter Courtenay, and.

Bishop Lionel Woodville [aged 36].

Archbishop Thomas Rotherham [aged 59] brought up the rear.

Cardinal Thomas Bourchier [aged 65], then Archbishop of Canterbury, took no part due to infirmity.

John de la Pole Earl Lincoln 1st [aged 21]; the King's nephew,.

William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 52].

Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset [aged 28].

William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 32] (some sources say Earl of Huntingindon?).

William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley [aged 57].

Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby [aged 48].

Richard Fiennes Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 68].

[his father] John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 82].

George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Abergavenny [aged 43].

John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet [aged 57].

Walter Devereux Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 51].

Edward Grey 1st Viscount Lisle [aged 51].

Henry Lovell 9th Baron Marshal 8th Baron Morley [aged 7].

Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 30].

John Brooke 7th Baron Cobham [aged 35].

Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby [aged 50].

John Bourchier 6th Baron Ferrers of Groby [aged 45].

Thomas Bourchier.

Thomas Bourchier.