Biography of John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford 1442-1513

On 26th February 1462 [his father] John de Vere 12th Earl of Oxford [aged 53] was hanged at Tower Hill [Map]. His son John [aged 19] succeeded 13th Earl of Oxford.

On 6th September 1465 [his brother-in-law] Archbishop George Neville [aged 33] was enthroned as Archbishop of York at Cawood Castle, North Yorkshire [Map]. Isabel Neville Duchess Clarence [aged 14], Anne Neville Queen Consort England [aged 9] and King Richard III of England [aged 12] were present.

On 11th July 1469 George York 1st Duke of Clarence [aged 19] and Isabel Neville Duchess Clarence [aged 17] were married by [his brother-in-law] Archbishop George Neville [aged 37] at the Église Notre-Dame de Calais [Map] witnessed by Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 40]. She by marriage Duchess Clarence. She the daughter of Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury and Anne Beauchamp 16th Countess Warwick [aged 42]. He the son of Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York and Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York [aged 54]. They were first cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 12th August 1469 Woodvilles father and son were beheaded at Kenilworth Castle [Map] by supporters of [his brother-in-law] Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 40].

Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 64] was beheaded. His son Anthony [aged 29] succeeded 2nd Earl Rivers, 2nd Baron Rivers. Elizabeth Scales Countess Rivers by marriage Countess Rivers.

John Woodville [aged 24] was beheaded.

On 29th September 1469 brothers Humphrey Neville of Brancepeth [aged 30] and Charles Neville of Brancepeth were beheaded at York [Map] in the presence of King Edward IV of England [aged 27] and [his brother-in-law] Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 40] bringing to an end the Neville-Neville feud that arose as a consequence of the senior line being dis-inherited.

On 26th March 1470 [his brother-in-law] John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu [aged 39] revoked his title of Earl of Northumberland so that the Earldom could be given to of the Percy family who were its traditional holders.

Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland [aged 21] was restored 4th Earl of Northumberland, 7th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 15th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland [aged 12] by marriage Countess of Northumberland.

A deeply unpopular move with the Neville family who had been longstanding enemies of the Percies in the North. He was created 1st Marquess Montagu instead. Possibly a consequence of the defection of Warwick the Kingmaker [aged 41] to the Lancastrian cause as evidenced by the Welles Rebellion earlier in the year.

On 27th March 1470 George Neville 1st Duke Bedford [aged 9] was created 1st Duke Bedford by King Edward IV of England [aged 27] in preparation for his marriage to Elizabeth York Queen Consort England [aged 4] which didn't, in the end, take place. He, George, was nephew to [his brother-in-law] Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 41] whose defection to the Lancastrian side may have caused the King to change his mind about his daughter's marriage.

Warkworth's Chronicle [1461-1474]. 18th October 1470. And thenne was takene the Earl of Worcetre [aged 43], whiche was arested and areynede befor Sere Jhon Veere [aged 28], the Earl of Oxenforde, sonne and heyre to the forseide [his father] Earl of Oxenforde whiche was behedede¹ at the Toure Hille, as before wrytene; and so the Earl of Worcetre was juged be suche lawe as he dyde to other menne; and, whenne he was dede, his body and his hede was buryede togedyr at the Blacke Frerys in Londone, with alle the honoure and worschyppe that his frendes coude do.

Note 1. "Was behedede." "His diebus captus est ille trux carnifex, et hominum decollator horridus, Comes de Wacester, et in Turri Londonie incarceratus, et in breve prope dictam turrim decapitatus, et apud Fratres Predicatores, juxta Ludgate, obscure sepultus [In these days, that cruel executioner and dreadful decapitator of men, the Earl of Worcester, was captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London, shortly thereafter beheaded near the said tower, and buried in obscurity at the Dominican Friars, near Ludgate]." -MS. Arundel, Coll. Arm. 5, fol. 171, v°. This coming from a partizan of the same side with the Earl, at a period when party politics necessarily ran so high, is strikingly conclusive of that nobleman's character. Cf. Chron. p. 9, l. 13—21.

On 4th May 1483 George Neville 1st Duke Bedford [aged 22] died. He being the son of [his brother-in-law] John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu, the nephew of Warwick the Kingmaker who should, perhaps, have inherited the Earldoms of Warwick and Salisbury from his mother that had been appropriated by George Neville 1st Duke Bedford and King Richard III of England [aged 30]. The timing somewhat suspicious. The future Richard III would now enjoy the whole of the Warwick inheritance.

On 29th October 1485 King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 28] processed from Tower of London [Map] to Westminster Abbey [Map]. Ahead of him marched the heralds and serjeants-at-arms, the Esquire of the Body, the King's Secretary Richard Fox [aged 37], almoner Christopher Urswick [aged 37], the mayor of London and the Garter King of Arms. Also ahead of him were Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby [aged 50], John de la Pole Earl Lincoln 1st [aged 23], John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford [aged 43] and William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley [aged 59]. Following behind were the only two Dukes: Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford [aged 53], created the day before, and John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk [aged 43].

On 30th October 1485 King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 28] was crowned VII King of England by Cardinal Thomas Bourchier [aged 67] at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Earl Richmond merged with the crown. Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond [aged 42], his mother, attended.

Robert Dymoke [aged 24] attended as the Kings' Champion.

John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford [aged 43] carried the King's train.

On 24th September 1486 Prince Arthur Tudor was christened at Winchester Cathedral [Map] by Bishop John Alcock [aged 56].

Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York [aged 71] held the child. His godparents included Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby [aged 51], William Fitzalan 9th or 16th Earl of Arundel [aged 68], John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford [aged 44], Thomas Fitzalan 10th or 17th Earl of Arundel [aged 36], Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 49] and Cecily York Viscountess Welles [aged 17]. Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 33] was present.

His grandmother Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond [aged 43] has written the Ordinances as to what Preparation is to be made for the Christening of the Child of which she shall be delivered that describe the form of the Christening.

Collectanea by John Leland [1502-1552]. On the Morne, the Day of the Coronation [25th November 1487], she was apparelde in a Kirtill and a Mantell of Purple Velvett furred with Ermyns, with a Lace afor the Mantell. On her Hair, a Serkelett of Golde richely garnysshede with Perle and precious Stonys. And fo apparelled, my Lady Cecill [aged 18] bering her Trayne, the remevede furthe of Westminster Hall, and ther stode under a Cloth of Aftate unto the Tyme the Proceffion was orderde, from the whiche Place to the Pulpit in Westminster Chirche she wentt upon new Ray Clothe¹. Al the Day from thens forth, the Bande of the v Ports [Cinque Ports] bare the Canapie according to ther Privileges. And the Order of the Proceffion was as eufueth.

Furst, Esquiers proceded, and Knyghts folowed them. After theym went the new made Knyghts wele besene in dyvers Silks, every Man as hym best likede after his Degre. After theym the Barons, and other Estats in Order as they wer, the Heraldes on every Side the Proceffion, and Sergeannts of Armes to make Rome. Then folowed Abbotts, and next theym Bisshops in Pontificalibus, to the Nomber of xv [15] Bishops, besyde Abbotts, wherof the Bisshop of bare Seint Edwards Chales, the Bishop of Norwiche bare the Patent, byfor whiche Prelats went the Monks of Westminster al in Albes, and the Kings Chapell folowing theym. Next to the Quene went al the other Bishops, except the Bisshop of Wynchester, and the Bishop of Ely, whiche went on ether Hande the Quene under the Canapie to fufteyne her Grace. Then went th Archebisshop of Yorke [aged 64]. After him was Garter King of Armes; the Maire of London next byfor the Counstable and Marshall as befor rehersede. Next unto theym th Erle of Aronndell [aged 70] bering the Virge of Iverye, with a Dove in the Tope. After hym the Duc of Suffolke [aged 45] bering the Septre. Then th Erle of Oxinforde [aged 45] Great Chamberlayn, in his Parliament Roobees, having in his Hand the Staff of his Office. Then the Duc of Bedforde [aged 56] bar hedede in his Roobees of Aftate bering a riche Corowne of Golde. Then folowed the Quene apparelde as is afor rehersede; and next her my Lady Cecill, whiche bar her Trayne. Next her folowd the Duchesse of Bedeforde [aged 29], and another Duchesse and Comtesse apparelled in Mantells and Sircoots of Scarlet, furred and powderde, the Duchesses having on ther Heds Coronatts of Golde richely garnysshed with Perle and precious Stones, and the Comtesse on her Hed Serkeletts of Golde in like wife garnysshed, as dooth apper in the Bok of Picture therof made. But the more Pitie ther was so Hoge a People inordynatly presing to cut the Ray Cloth, that the Quenes Grace gede upon, so that in the Prefence certeyne Persones wer slayne, and the Order of the Ladies folowing the Quene was broken and diftrobled.

The Quenes Grace thus comyng forth, when she came to the Entre of the West Dore of the Chirche of Westminster, ther was saide by the. this Orifon, Omnipotens fempiterne Deus, &c. That doon she procedede thorowgh the Quer unto the Pulpit, wherin was a Sege Royall² dressed with Cloth of Golde, and Cusshins accordingly. Th Archebisshop of Canterbury [aged 67] ther being present, and revested as apperteyneth to the Celebration of the Maffe, receyved the Quene comyng from her Royall Sege with the Lordes bering her Crowne, Septer, and Rodde, and the Bisshops fusteynyng her as is abovesaide. The Grecis byfor the High Auter wer honorably dressed and arrayed with Carpetts and Cufshions of Aftate, wherupon the Quene lay prostrate afor the Archebisshop, whiles he seide over her this Orifon, Deus qui folus habes, &c. That doon she aros and kneled, and my Lady .... toke her Kerchef from her Hede, and th Archebysshop opend her Brest, and anoynted her ij [2] Tymes. Furst, in the former Parte of her Hede, and fecondly, in her Breste afor, sayng thies Wordes, In nomine Patris & Filii, &c. profit tibi hec unctio, with this Orison, Omnipotens Sempiterne Deus. That doon the said Lady closed her Breft, and folowingly the saide Archebisshop blessed her Ring, seing this Orifon, Creator, and cast holy Water upon it. Then he put this same Ring on the iiij [4] Finger of the Quenes right Hande, saing theyes Words, Accipe annulum, and then he faid, Dominus vobifcum, with this Collect, Deus cujus, &c. Then after the said Archebisshop had blessed the Quenes Corone, seing, Oremus Deus tuorum, he sett the Crowne uppon her Hede, wherupon was a Coyff put by my seid Lady for the Conservation of the holy Uncion, whiche is afterwarde to be delyverede unto the saide Archebisshop, feing theys Words, Officium noftrum, &c. Then he delyverede unto the Quene a Septer in her right Hande, and a Rodde in her left Hande, faing this Orifon, Omnipotens Domine. The Quene thus corowned, was lede by the abovefaide Bisshops up into the Sege of her Estate, al the Ladies folowing her. Whiles the Offratory was in playing at Organs, she was ledde corowned, from her Sege Roiall by the faide ij [2] Bisshops unto the High Auter, her Septer and Rodde of Golde borne byfor her as is aforsaide. Then th Archebisshop turned his Face to the Quer warde, and after this the Quene was, as byfor, brought up ageyn to her Sege Royall of Aftate, wher the fatt stille, until Agnus Dei was begone, and after Per omnia fecula feculorum, he turned hym to the Quene, blessing her with this Orifon, Omnipotens Deus carismate, &c. wherunto the Quene answerde, Amen. In the Tyme of finging of Agnus Dei, the Pax was brought to the Qwene by the Bishop of Worcester, whiche brought, when the Quene had kissed it, she descendid and came to the High Auter, and had a Towell holden byfor her by ij [2] Bisshops. And ther the lowly inclynyng herself to the Grounde, feide her Confiteor, the Prelats feing Misereatur, and th'Archebisshop the Abfolution, and then the Quene fumwhat areyfyng her: self, receyved the Blessed Sacrament. Thies Things reverently accomplishede, the Quene retourned to her Sette Roiall, and ther abode til the Masse was ended. The Maffe doon, her Grace, accompanyed with Prelats and Nobles, descended from her Sege Roiall of Aftate, and went to the High Auter, and then the faide Archebisshop arrayde in Pontificalibus, as he saide Masse, with all the Mynifters of the Auter byfore hym, went byfor the Auter of the Shryne of Seint Edwarde the King, and after hym folowed al other Prelats and Lordes. Then the Quenes Grace commyng byfor the faide Auter of the Shryne, the said Archebisshop toke the Crowne from her Hede, and fett upon the fame Auter.

Note 1. In the Tudor period a 'ray cloth' (sometimes rey, raie, ray, or reye, ray-cloth or rays cloth) is a woollen textile characterized by weft-faced coloured stripes or bands, used especially for floor coverings, procession carpets, and sometimes garments. The word "ray" comes from Old French raie meaning 'stripe' or 'line'.

Note 2. 'Sege Royall' i.e. Royal seat, throne.

On 21st November 1499 John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford [aged 57] presided at Westminster Hall [Map] during the trial of Perkin Warbreck [aged 25].

The History of Richard III Book 3. [21st November 1499] Now I will add to this tragedy of these Plantagenets one act more, and of the Earl of Oxford [aged 57], and worthy to be well regarded [for example's sake,] besides that here it also may make [somewhat for the cause] and for the innocency of the two young men, Edward, Earl of Warwick, and Richard, Duke of York. And this it is. [T]he Earl of Oxford, Sir John de Vere, who was much affected and devoted to this King Henry VII, as we have seen here by some good instances, was a great ene[my to] this Richard, alias Perkin, and I think the only [en]emy which he had of the greater nobility. And wheth[er his] evil will grew out of incredulity, or were it out of malice, or because he hated King Edward and all the House of York; or else because he applied himself very obsequiously [to o]bserve and to humour the king then reigning in everything - but [I] cannot determine whether of these. But this is certain, [th]at he was so vehement a persecutor of Perkin [aged 25] as that he and t[he Cardinal were] said to be the chief persuaders and procurers of the more hasty dispatching of Perkin out of the way and of his destruction. And this earl also [pronounced the] cruel [sentence against the] Earl of Warwick, son of the Duke of Clarence (for he was High Judge or Constable in that action), [whose dealing thus in those matters] was much misliked.