1469-1479 Wars of the Roses: Warwick Rebels

On 17 Jan 1469 Warwick's supporters were executed in Salisbury Marketplace [Map] in the presence of King Edward IV of England (age 26):

Thomas Hungerford was beheaded. His father Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns had been executed five years previously after the Battle of Hexham.

Henry Courtenay was beheaded.

Warkworth's Chronicle. Jan 1469. And the same yere Sere Thomas Hungerforde knyght, sonne to the Lorde Hungerforde, and Herry Curteney, the Earl of Devynschyre of right, were takene for treasoune and behedede¹ at Salisbury, and menne seyde the Lorde Stafforde of Southwyke (age 30) was cause of the seyde Herry Curtenayes dethe, for he wolde be the Earl of Devynschyre, and so the Kynge made hym afterwarde, and [he] hade it noʒt halff a yere.

Note 1. Were takene for treasoune and behedede. See a valuable and curious note by Mr. Stapleton, in his volume of the Plumpton Correspondence, pp. 18, 19. This happened "circiter octavum Epiphanie [around the eighth day of Epiphany]." - MS. Arundel, Coll. Arm. 5, fol. 171, rº.

On 11 Jun 1469 an Amnesty was declared excepting Humphrey Neville of Brancepeth (age 30).

On 11 Jul 1469 George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 19) and Isabel Neville Duchess Clarence (age 17) were married by Archbishop George Neville (age 37) at the Église Notre-Dame de Calais [Map] witnessed by Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 40). She by marriage Duchess Clarence. She the daughter of Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury and Anne Beauchamp 16th Countess Warwick (age 42). He the son of Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York and Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 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.

Warkworth's Chronicle. 11 Jul 1469. And in the ix. yere of the regne of Kynge Edwarde, at myssomere, the Duke of Clarence (age 19) passede the see to Caleis to the Earl of Warwick (age 40), and there weddede his doughter (age 17) by the ArcheBishop of Yorke (age 37) the Earl of Warwick brothere, and afterwarde come overe ayene.

Memoirs of Philip de Commines Book 3 Chapter IV. The Duke of Burgundy was extremely concerned at what had happened, and privately contrived a way for King Edward's escape, and that he might have an opportunity of speaking with him: and their plot succeeded so well, that King Edward escnped out of prison, raised men, and defeated a great body of the Earl of Warwick's troops. King Edward was very fortunate in his battles, for he fought at least nine pitched battles (always on foot), and was always conqueror.

After 26 Jul 1469 King Edward IV of England (age 27) was captured by his brother George (age 19) at Olney, Buckinghamshire [Map] after the Battle of Edgecote Moor.

Hall's Chronicle. 26 Jul 1469. All the kynges doynges were by espials declared to the erle of Warwycke, which lyke a wyse and politique Capitayne entendyng pot to lese so great an auauntage to hym geuen, but trustyng to brynge all his purposes to a fynall ende and determinacion, by onely obteyning this enterprise: in the dead of the nyght, with an elect company of men of warre, as secretly as was possible set on the kynges felde, kylling them that kept the watche, and or the kynge were ware (for he thought of nothynge lesse then cf that chaunce that happened) at a place called Wolney. iiij. myle from Warwycke, he was taken prysoner, and brought to the Castell of Warwicke. And to the entent that the kynges frendes myghte not know where he was, nor what was chaunced of hym, he caused hym by secret iorneys in the nyght to be conueyed to Myddelham Castell [Map] in Yorkeshire, & there to be kept vnder the custody of the Archebishop of Yorke his brother, and other his trusty trendes, which entertayned the kyng, like lis estate, and serned hym lyke a prynce. But there was no place so farre of but that the taking of the kyng was shortly knowé there with the wynde which newes made many men to feare, and greatly to dread, and many to wonder and lament the chauce. Kyng Edward beyng thus in captiuitie, spake ever fayre to the Archebishop and to the other kepers, (but whether he corrupted them with money or fayre promises) he had libertie divers dayes to go on huntynge, and one day on a playne there met with hym syr William Stanley, syr Thomas of Borogh, and dyuers other of hys frcdes, with suche a great bend of men, that neither his kepers woulde, nor once durst moue him to retorne to prison agayn.

Around 05 Aug 1469 King Edward IV of England (age 27) was imprisoned at Warwick Castle [Map].

Around 15 Aug 1469 King Edward IV of England (age 27) was imprisoned at Middleham Castle [Map].

On 10 Sep 1469 King Edward IV of England (age 27) was released by Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 40) afer Warwick realised he didn't have sufficient support for an alternative regime.

On 12 Aug 1469 Woodvilles father and son were beheaded at Kenilworth Castle [Map] by supporters of Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 40).

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

John Woodville (age 24) was beheaded.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. On 12 Aug 1469. On the Saturday before the Assumption of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Lord de Rywans (age 64) along with Lord John (age 24), his son, were captured, and they were executed together near the castle of Kenilworth [Map].

Die Sabbati proximo ante Assumptionem beatissime semper Virginis Marie captus est Dominus de Rywans cum domino Johanne filio suo, et juxta castrum de Kelingworth pariter docollati sunt.

Hall's Chronicle. 12 Aug 1469. The Northamptonshire men, with diverse of the Northern men by them procured, in this fury made them a captain, and called him Robin of Redesdale, and suddenly came to the manor of Grafton [Map], where the earl Rivers (age 64) father to the Queen (age 32) then lay whom they loved not, and there by force took the said earl and sir John (age 24) his son, and brought them to Northampton [Map], and there without Judgement stroke of their heads, whose bodies were solemnly interred in the Blackfriars at Northampton.

Warkworth's Chronicle. 12 Aug 1469And at that tyme was the Lorde Ryvers (age 64) takene, and one of his sonnes (age 24), in the forest of Dene, and brought to Northamtone, and the Earl of Penbroke (deceased) a[nd] Sere Richard Herbarde (deceased) his brother were behedede at Northamtone, alle iiij, by the commawndement of the Duke of Clarence and the Earl of Warwick (age 40), and Thomas Harbarde was slayne at Brystow, &c.

Note 1. "Hic W. Harberde, gravissimus et oppressor et spoliator ecclesiasticorum et aliorum multorum per annos multos, hunc tandem, justo Dei judicio pro suis sceleribus et nequiciis, receepit.mercedem. Die Sabbati proximo ante assumpcionem beatissime semper Virginis Marie, captus est Dominus de Rywaus, cum domino Johanne filio suo, et, juxta castrum de Kelingworthe, pariter decollati sunt [Here W. Herbert, the most grievous oppressor and plunderer of the Church and many others for many years, finally received the just reward for his crimes and wickedness by the judgment of God. On the Saturday next before the assumption of the most blessed Virgin Mary, the Lord Rivers was captured, along with his son John, and they were both beheaded near the castle of Kelingworth]." - MS. Arundel, Coll. Arm. fol. 171 rº.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 13 Aug 1469. On the Saturday before the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 13), Lord de Rywans (deceased) and his son, Lord John (deceased), were captured and, near Kenilworth Castle [Map], were beheaded together.

Die Sabbati proximo ante Assumptionem beatissime semper Virginis Marie captus est Dominus de Rywans cum domino Johanne filio suo, et juxta castrum de Kelingworth pariter docollati sunt.

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

On 20 Mar 1470 the army of William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley (age 44) including Maurice Berkeley 3rd Baron Berkeley (age 35) defeated the army of Thomas Talbot 2nd Viscount Lisle (age 21) at Nibley Green, Berkeley.

Thomas Talbot 2nd Viscount Lisle was killed. Viscount Lisle extinct. Baron Lisle abeyant.

Ostensibly a battle of the Wars of the Roses it may also be considered a settling of the dispute over the ownership of Berkeley Castle [Map] which has passed with the Baron Berkeley Feudal to William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley rather than with Baron Berkeley which was abeyant, and of which Thomas Talbot 2nd Viscount Lisle was a potential heir. Thomas Talbot 2nd Viscount Lisle was born to John Talbot 1st Viscount Lisle whose mother was Margaret Beauchamp Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford whose mother was Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick who was a daughter of Thomas Berkeley 10th and 5th Baron Berkeley, Baron Lisle.

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

On 27 Mar 1470 John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 39) revoked his title of Earl of Northumberland so that the Earldom could be given to Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland (age 21) of the Percy family who were its traditional holders. 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 (age 41) to the Lancastrian cause as evidenced by the Welles Rebellion earlier in the year.

Warkworth's Chronicle. [27 Mar 1470]. The Lorde Markes Montagu (age 39) hade gaderyd vi. M^l men, by Kynge Edwardes commysyone and commaundement, to the entente to have recistede the seide Duke of Clarence, and the Earl of Warwick (age 41). never the lattere, the seide Markes Montagu hatyde the Kynge, and purposede to have taken hym; and whenne he was withein a myle of Kynge Edwarde, he declarede to the peple that was there gaderede with hym, how Kynge Edwarde hade fyrst yevyne to hym the Earldome of Northumberlonde, and how he toke it from hym and gaff it Herry Percy, whos fadere was slayne at Yorke felde; and how of late tyme hade he made hym Markes of Montagu, and yaff a pye's neste to mayntene his astate withe: wherefor he yaff knoleage to his peple that he wulde holde withe the Earl of Warwick, his brothere, and take Kynge Edwarde if he might, and alle tho that wolde holde with hym.

Before 10 May 1470 John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester (age 43) sat in judgement on the Earl of Warwick's (age 41) men who had attempted to steal the ship Trinity for the Earl of Warwick. In addition to the usual punishment of hanging, drawing and quartering Tiptoft also subjected the men's corpses to being impaled, perhaps unique in English punishments, but usual for pirates in Europe. His actions were described as cruel and unmerited by the common people and resulted in Tiptoft being known as 'Butcher'.

Warkworth's Chronicle. [10 May 1470] And whenne the Duke of Clarence and the Earl of Warwike herde the felde was loste, and how there cownselle was dyscoverede, they fledde westwarde to the see syde, and toke there here schippys, and sayled towarde Southamptone, and e[n]tendet there to have a grete schyppe of the seide Earl of Warwicks (age 41), callyde the Trinite; but the Lorde Scales, the Quenes brother, was sent thedere by the Kynges commawndement, and other withe hym, and faught with the seide Duke and Earl, and toke there dyverse schyppes of theres and many of ther men therein; so that the Duke and the Earl were fayne to flee to the Kynge of Fraunce, where they were worschipfully receyved. And after this the Kynge Edwarde came to Southamptone, and commawndede the Earl of Worcetere (age 43) to sitt and juge suche menne as were taken in the schyppes, and so xx. persones of gentylmen and yomenne were hangede, drawne, and quartered, and hedede; and after that they hanged uppe by the leggys, and a stake made scharpe at bothe endes, whereof one ende was putt in att bottokys, and the other ende ther heddes were putt uppe one; for the whiche the peple of the londe were gretely displesyd; and evere afterwarde the Earl of Worcestre was gretely behatede emonge the peple, for ther dysordinate dethe that he used, contrarye to the lawe of the londe.

On 22 Jul 1470 Warwick the Kingmaker (age 41), King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 48) and Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England (age 40) signed the Angers Agreement at Angers Cathedral [Map]. The agreement had been brokered by King Louis XI of France (age 47). Edward of Westminster Prince of Wales (age 16) and Anne Neville Queen Consort England (age 14) were betrothed as part of the Agreement.

Memoirs of Philip de Commines Book 3 Chapter V. Jul 1470. By his management also a marriage was concluded between the Earl of Warwick's second daughter (age 14) and the Prince of Wales (age 16)¹, which prince was the only son to King Henry VI. (who was at that time alive, and prisoner in the tower.) An unaccountable match! to dethrone and imprison the father, and marry his only son to the daughter of him that did it. It was no less surprising that he should delude the Duke of Clarence, brother to the king whom he opposed, who ought in reason to have been afraid of the restoration of the house of Lancaster; but affairs of so nice a nature are not to be managed without great cunning and artifice.

Note 1. Edward, son of Henry VI. and Margaret of Anjou. He married Anne, youngest daughter of the Earl of Warwick, and was killed in the battle of Tewkesbury, on the 4th of May, 1471. His widow afterwards married the Duke of Gloucester, who subsequently ascended the throne as Richard III.

On 13 Sep 1470 Warwick the Kingmaker (age 41) and George (age 20) landed at Dartmouth, Devon and/or Plymouth, Devon [Map].

On 02 Oct 1470 King Edward IV of England (age 28) fled from King's Lynn, Norfolk [Map] to the court of Charles the Bold (age 36) who married to his sister Margaret (age 24) two years earlier. His brother Richard (age 18) travelled with him; it was his eighteenth birthday.

Gilbert Debenham (age 38) travelled with King Edward IV of England.

On 03 Oct 1470 Henry VI (age 48) was re-adepted, ie restored, King of England.

Thomas Tresham (age 50) was released.

In Nov 1470 King Edward IV of England (age 28) was attainted. George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 21) was awarded the Duchy of York.

Warkworth's Chronicle. 08 Sep 1470. And in the same x. yere aforeseide, a lytelle before Michaelmesse, the Duke of Clarence (age 20) and the Earl of Warwick (age 41) londede in the west countre, and gadered there a grete peple.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. In the year of our Lord 1470, around the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary [08 Sep 1470], the Duke of Clarence and the Earl of Warwick, along with many others who had been expelled to France by King Edward a little earlier because of their rebellions, returned to England. Landing in Devon, they gathered an army.

Anno Domini millesimo lxx°, circiter festum Nativitatis Beate Marie regressi sunt in Angliam dux Clarencie, comes de Warwic, cum multis aliis, qui paulo ante per regem Edwardum in Franciam propter suas rebelliones effugati fuerant, et in Devonia applicantes exercitum colligerunt.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 02 Oct 1470. Edward, seeing their boldness, fled with a few followers to Flanders, where he was honorably received by the Duke of Burgundy.

Edwardus autem, videns eorum audciam, fugit cum paucis in Flandriam, ubi a duce Burgundie honorifice est susceptus.

Warkworth's Chronicle. 02 Oct 1470. But anone one of the oste went oute frome the fellawschippe, and tolde Kynge Edwarde alle manere of thynge, and bade hym avoyde, for he was not strong enoghe to gyff batayle to Markes Montagu (age 39); and then anone Kynge Edwarde haysted hym in alle that he might to the towne of Lynne, and ther he toke schyppynge one Michaelmesse day, in the x. yere of his regne, with Lorde Hastynges, that was the Kynges Chambearlyne, Lorde Say, withe dyverse other knyghtes and squires, passed and saylede overe the see into Flaunders, to his brother-in-lawe¹ the Duke of Burgeyne², for socoure and helpe, &c.

Note 1. The Harl. MS. 7353, is a most curious roll on vellum, containing pictures on one side representing parts of scripture history, and on the other assumed similar transactions in the life of Edward IV. We have, 1. The King on his throne. 2. The King encouraging his soldiers. 3. The King with a triple sun shining upon him through three golden crowns, and saying "Domine! quid vis me facere? [Lord! What do you want me to do?]" 4. Pardoning Henry after the battle of Northampton. 5. Setting sail for Calais. At the bottom is a genealogical tree, with portraits of all the members of the houses of York and Lancaster, very fantastically arranged.

Note 2. Duke of Burgeyne. Charles the Bold (age 36), Duke of Burgundy, married Edward's sister on the 18th of June, 1467 [1468?]. It was to this marriage that Edward owed his preservation abroad, and the final recovery of his kingdom. An account of the marriage, with the reception of the Princess in Flanders, may be seen in MS. Cotton. Nero, C. IX. Cf. Cart. Antiq. Mus. Brit. XI. 54.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 06 Oct 1470. And on the feast of Saint Faith the Virgin, the Duke of Clarence, brother of King Edward, and the Earl of Warwick, along with other lords, led King Henry (age 48) from the Tower of London, clothed him in royal apparel, and escorted him through Cheapside to the bishop's palace in London. That year, the people of Kent, driven by their usual wickedness, rose up and plundered many in Southwark, London, and soon withdrew.

Et in festo Sancte Fidis Virginis dux Clarencie, frater Regis Edwardi, et comes de Warwic, cum ceteris dominis, regem Henricum de Turri London educentes, regali apparatu indutum per Chepam usque ad palacium episcopi London. perduxerunt. Hoc anno Cantigene consueta nequicia agitati insurgunt et multos in Sowthwerk, London. spoliant, et infra breve recesserunt.

On 18 Oct 1470 John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester (age 43) was beheaded at Tower Green, Tower of London [Map]. On 14 Apr 1471 His son Edward succeeded 2nd Earl Worcester, 3rd Baron Tiptoft.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 18 Oct 1470. In those days, that fierce executioner and dreadful beheader of men, the Earl of Worcester (age 43), was captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London, and soon after was beheaded near the said tower, and was obscurely buried at the Friars Preachers near Ludgate.

His diebus captus est ille trux carnifex et hominum decollator horridus, comes de Wiccester, et in Turri London. incarceratus, et in breve prope dictam turrim decapitatus, et apud Fratres Predicatores juxta Ludgate obscure sepultus.

Warkworth's Chronicle. 18 Oct 1470. And thenne was takene the Earl of Worcetre (age 43), whiche was arested and areynede befor Sere Jhon Veere (age 28), the Earl of Oxenforde, sonne and heyre to the forseide 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 13 Dec 1470 Edward of Westminster Prince of Wales (age 17) and Anne Neville Queen Consort England (age 14) were married at Angers Cathedral [Map]. She by marriage Princess of Wales. She the daughter of Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 42) and Anne Beauchamp 16th Countess Warwick (age 44). He the son of King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 49) and Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England (age 40). They were half third cousins. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 14 Mar 1471 Gilbert Debenham (age 39) landed in Norfolk to determine whether it would be a safe landing for King Edward IV of England (age 28); he advised that it would not be.

On 14 Mar 1471 King Edward IV of England (age 28) landed at Ravenspur [Map] with William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 40).

Archaeologia Volume 21 Section III Chapter I. [14 Mar 1471] From the time our Sovereign Lord Edward (age 28), by the Grace of God, King of England and Lord of Ireland, departed from the Province of Zealand, and embarked, the 10th day of March, on the seas, he experienced exceeding bad weather and heavy tempests, so that he reached his kingdom of England, with his followers, in great peril and danger, on the 14th day of the said month; and landing on the northern coast^a, they took from thence the road leading to the city of York, where they arrived on the 18th, and then proceeded by such forced marches, that they got to the river Trent, which is about the centre of the kingdom, on the 21st. Here they received intelligence that the Earl of Oxford (age 28) was posted at a ford, and was assembling men, in order to guard the passage; but our sovereign lord advanced within so short a distance of the earl, that the latter presently took to flight; whereupon the king marched straight forward towards his grand rebel and traitor the Earl of Warwick (age 42), who by this time had taken the field with a powerful force, but he also being informed of the approach of our sovereign lord, retired with his men on the 27th day of the same month, within a strong closed city called Coventry; before which city, our sovereign lord, on the 29th of the said month, drew up his whole army in battle array.

Note a. At Ravenspurgh [Map], on the Holderness side of the Humber.

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 14 Mar 1471. Meanwhile, around the feast of Saint Edward the Martyr, in Lent, King Edward (age 28) returned to England, and soon after, having reconciled with the Duke of Clarence, he moved around and gathered many; and on Maundy Thursday, he peacefully entered London with his two brothers and a large retinue.

Interim, circiter festum Sancti Edwardi Martiris, in quadragesima, rediit in Angliam rex Edwardus, et in breve, recepto duce Clarencie ad graciam, circumivit et congregavit multos; et in Cena Domini London. pacifice cum duobus fratribus suis et magno comitatu ingressus est.

Memoirs of Philip de Commines Book 3 Chapter VII. 14 Mar 1471. King Edward set sail for England in the year 1471, at the same time as the Duke of Burgundy marched towards Amiens against the King of France. The duke was of opinion that the affairs of England could not go amiss for him, since he was sure of friends on both sides. King Edward was no sooner landed, but he marched directly for London, where he had above 2000 of his party in sanctuary; among whom were 300 or 400 knights and esquires, who were of great advantage to his affairs, for he brought over with him a small number of forces.

Note 1. He embarked at Ter Veere on the 2nd of March, 1471, and landed at Ravenspur on the 14th of the same month.

History of the Arrival of Edward IV Part 2. 14 Mar 1471. The same night followinge, upon the morne, Wenesday, and Thursday the xiiij. daye of Marche, fell great stormes, wynds and tempests upon the sea, so that the sayde xiiij. day, in great torment, he came to Humbrehede, where the othar shipps were dissevered from hym, and every from other, so that, of neccessitye, they were dryven to land, every fere from other. The Kynge, with his shippe aloone, wherein was the Lord Hastings, his Chambarlayne, and other to the nombar of v^c well chosen men, landed within Humber, on Holdernes syde, at a place callyd Ravenersporne, even in the same place where sometime the Usurpowr Henry of Derby, aftar called Kynge Henry IV. landed, aftar his exile, contrary and to the dissobeysance of his sovereigne lord, Kynge Richard the II. whome, aftar that, he wrongfully distressed, and put from his reigne and regalie, and usurped it falsely to hymselfe and to his isswe, from whome was linially descended Kynge Henry, at this tyme usinge and usurpinge the coronoe, as sonne to his eldest sonne, somtyme callyd Kynge Henry the V. The Kynge's brothar Richard, Duke of Glowcestar, and, in his company iij^c men, landyd at an othar place iiij myle from thens. The Earle Rivers, and the felowshipe beinge in his companye, to the nombar of ij^c, landyd at a place called Powle, xiiij myle from there the Kynge landyd, and the reminaunt of the felowshipe wher they myght best get land.

The Manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of Rutland Volume 1. 16 Mar 1471. The Duke of Clarence (age 21) to Henry Vernon (age 26).

[1471,] March 16. Wells [Map]. — Henry Vernon. We pray you to finde the meanes as secretly as ye can to have sure and trusti men in the North, or whersoevere therl of Northumberland bee, to espie of the guyding there, and as the cas shall requir and it shalbee expedient to certifie us, and alway whan oon is goon that another bee abiding, and in lyke wyse that ye have about therl of Shrovesbury and the Lord Stanley oon commyng to us and an other alway abiding there. We bee adcerteigned that it is said about London that K[ing] E[dward] is saylled by the coste of Northfolk toward Humbre. Wherfor we pray you to sende thidder to enquire and understande of the trouth, and to certifie us therof, and if he bee in thoos costes that alway ye have spies there to certifie us from tyme to tyme of the tidinges and the guyding, oon commyng to. us and an other alway abiding as in the other places, dooing your effectuell devoir herein as our veray truste is in you, nat sparing for any coste, for we woll allowe yon at your accomptes the uttermast of thexpenses that ye shall make in that behalve. Wylling and desiring you that bicause of thees tidinges ye doo the gretter devoir to arredie you with as many as ye can make in defensible array as well of our tenauntes as of yours to bee redy to comme to us within an houres warnying, lyke as we wrote to you but late by your servaunt. Writen at Welles the xvj day of March. (Signed : — ) Gr. Clarence. Signet.

The Manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of Rutland Volume 1. 25 Mar 1471. R[ichard] Earl of Warwick (age 42) to Henry Vernon (age 26), squire.

[1471,] March 25. Warwick. — Right trusty and rigkte welbiloved I grete you well, And desire and hertily pray you that in asmoche as yonder man Edward, the kinges oure soverain lord gret ennemy rebelle and traitour, is now late arrived in the north parties of this land and commyng fast on southward accompanyed with Flemynges, Esterlinges, and Danes, not exceeding the nombre of all that he ever bathe of ijmi. persones, nor the contre as he commeth nothing falling to him, ye woll therfor incontynente and furthwith aftir the sight herof dispose you toward me to Coventre with as many people defensibly arraied as ye can redily make, and that ye be with me there in all haste possible as my vray singuler trust is in you and as I mowe doo thing to your wele or worship heraftir, And God kepe you. Writen at Warrewik the xxvti day of Marche.

(Postscript in the Earl's awn hand) Henry I pray you ffayle not now as ever I may do ffor yow.

Therle of Warrewik and Salisbury. Lieutenant to the king oure soverain lord Henry the Sexte. (Signed : — ) E. Warrewyk. Signet.

On 14 Apr 1471 Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England (age 41) lands at Weymouth, Dorset with John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 71).

Archaeologia Volume 21 Section III Chapter II. [14 Apr 1471] How the Queen Margaret, and the Prince of Wales her son, arrived in England; how after their arrival they assembled a vast army; of the great battle King Edward fought with them, and how the Prince of Wales was therein slain, and great numbers with him routed.

Memoirs of Philip de Commines Book 3 Chapter VII. 14 Apr 1471. The Prince of Wales (of whom I have spoken before) had landed in England before this battle, and had joined his forces with those of the Dukes of Exeter and Somerset, and several others of their family and party; so that in all (as I have been informed by those who were in that army) they amounted to above 40,000 men. If the Earl of Warwick had stayed till he had been joined by those forces, in all probability they had won the day. But the fear he had of the Duke of Somerset, whose father and brother he had put to death¹, and the hatred he bore to Queen Margaret, mother to the Prince of Wales, induced him to fight alone, without waiting for them. By this example we may observe how long old animosities last, how highly they are to be feared in themselves, and how destructive and dangerous they are in their consequences.

Note 1. The Earl of Warwick was not personally the cause of their death. Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, lost his life at the battle of St. Albans, on the 23rd of May, 1455, commanding the army opposed to that of which Warwick was the leader. The two sons of this Duke of Somerset, Edmund and John, were slain in the battle of Tewkesbury.

History of the Arrival of Edward IV Part I Introduction. 14 Apr 1471. Whilst every thing seemed thus secure and prosperous, Queen Margaret and the Prince of Wales prepared to pass into England. Warwick (age 42) went to the sea coast to receive them; and, if they had landed at that time, their progress to the capital would have resembled a triumph. Detained on the coast of Normandy from February until April by the unusual boisterousness of the weather, they at length, with some difficulty, secured a landing at Weymouth; and what were the tidings with which they were greeted? That, amidst the tempests by which they had been detained, Edward and a small band of followers had landed in the north amongst a people up in arms to oppose him, but whom he had deceived by false respresentations of the purpose of his coming; that he had obtained possession of the metropolis and the person of the King; that Clarence--"false, fleeting, perjured Clarence"--had deserted the cause of Lancaster; that a great battle had been fought; and that Warwick, the centre of all their hopes, had been defeated and killed. "When," says Hall, paraphrasing the words of Polydore Vergil, "when she harde all these miserable chaunces and misfortunes, so sudainly, one in another's necke, to have taken effect, she, like a woman all dismaied for feare, fell to the ground, her harte was perced with sorowe, her speache was in a manner passed, all her spirits were tomented with malencholy."¹⁰

Note 10. Part II: Landing through the Reconciliation with Clarence

Warkworth's Chronicle. 14 Apr 1471. And Quene Marget, and Prince Edwarde hire sonne, with other knygtes, squyres, and other menne of the Kyng of Fraunce, hade navy to brynge them to Englond: whiche, whenne they were schipped in Fraunce, the wynde was so contrary unto them xvij. dayes and nyghtes, that [thei] might not come from Normandy with unto England, whiche withe a wynd might have seylede it in xij. oures; whiche at the xvij. dayes ende one Ester day at the evyne the [i] landed at Weymouthe, and so by lande from Weymouthe the[i] roode to Excetre; and mette withe hire, at Weymouth, Edmunde Duke of Somersett, the Lorde Jhon his brother, brother to Herry Duke of Somerset slayne at Exham, and Curteney the Earl of Devynschyre, and many othere.

English Historical Literature in the Fifteenth Century Appendix 13. In the same year and month, the people of Kent, disbelieving the previous victory, rose up in rebellion in the name of the said Henry [VI], under their captain and leader, Thomas Fauconberg (age 42), the bastard. Intending to force their way into the City of London, they violently set fire to Newgate, the gate over the great bridge [drawbriodge] of the city, along with several houses and buildings between that gate and the drawbridge, attacking like enemies. They also attempted, with their forces from Essex, to enter at Aldgate, but were bravely repelled by the Londoners, especially after the arrival of Anthony, Earl Rivers (age 31), who, coming suddenly from the Tower of London, fell upon them from the rear and scattered them bravely, many of them being horribly killed, and the rest captured or put to flight. This event took place on the 14th day of the month of May [1471], as stated above.

Eisdem anno et mense Kentenses increduli prioris victorie insurrexerunt nomine dicti Henrici, ipsorum capitaneo et duce Thoma facomberge bastardo. Qui volentes intrare ciuitatem London, per vim, nouam portam super pontem magnum ciuitatis, cum nonnullis domibus et tenementis inter ipsam portam et pontem leuabilem, ibidem hostiliter cremauerunt. Temptarunt insuper vna cum presidio eorum de Essexia apud portam de Algate invenire introitum, qui tamen viriliter per Londonienses post aduentum Antonii, comitis de Ryuers, qui in eos ad dorsum subito irruit, adueniens ex turri London., viriliter fuerunt dispersi, multis ex eis horribiliter interfectis, ceteris captis et fugatis ; quod factum fuit xiiij die mensis Maii supradicto.

On 14 May 1471 Thomas "Bastard of Fauconberg" Neville (age 42) reached Southwark, Surrey [Map] with his army. The City of London refused him entry so Thomas "Bastard of Fauconberg" Neville burned Southwark, Surrey [Map].

On 21 May 1471 Henry VI (age 49) died (possibly murdered) in the Wakefield Tower in the Tower of London [Map]. He was buried at Altar, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. The Wakefield Tower [Map] at the Tower of London was

A Brief Latin Chronicle. 21 May 1471. Immediately after this battle, more than forty knights were created; and Henry (age 49), the former king, was returned to the Tower of London, and dying there happily on the Eve of the Ascension of the Lord, was transported by boat along the Thames to the abbey of Chertsey [Map], where he was buried."

Creati sunt statim post istud bellum plures quam xl milities; et Henricus nuper Rex reponitur in Turim London., et in Vigilia Ascensionis Dominice, ibidem feliciter moriens, per Tamisiam navicula usque ad abbahiam de Cheltesye deductus, ibi sepultus est.

Memoirs of Philip de Commines Book 3 Chapter VII. 21 May 1471. I had almost forgotten to acquaint you that King Edward, finding King Henry in London, took him along with him to the fight. This King Henry was a very ignorant prince and almost an idiot; and (if what was told me be true) after the battle was over, the Duke of Gloucester (who was King Edward's brother, and afterwards called King Richard) slew this poor King Henry with his own hand, or caused him to be carried into some private place, and stood by while he was killed.¹

Note 1. King Henry VI., says Hume, "expired in the Tower a few days after the battle of Tewkesbury, but whether he died a natural or violent death is uncertain. It is pretended, and was generally believed, that the Duke of Gloucester killed him with his own hands; but the universal odium which that prince has incurred, inclined perhaps the nation to aggravate his crimes, without any sufficient authority. It is certain, however, that Henry's death was sudden; and, though he laboured under an ill state of health, this circumstance, joined to the general manners of the age, gave a natural ground of suspicion, which was rather increased than diminished by the exposing of his body to public view."

History of the Arrival of Edward IV Part I Introduction. [21 May 1471] One death more brought the tragedy to a close. Edward IV. entered London on the 21st of May, and on the 23rd, according to the following narrative, Henry VI. died in the Tower "of pure displeasure and melancholy."

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan. [22 May 1471] Thanne upon Assencion Euyn next ensuynge, ye corps of Henry the. vi. (deceased) late kynge was brought vnreuerently from ye Tower thorugh ye hygh stretes of ye cytie unto Paulis Church, and there lefte for that nyght, and upon ye morowe conveyed with gleyuys & other wepyns, as he before thyther was broughte unto Chertyssey, where he was buryed.

Of ye deth of this pryncc dyuerse tales were tolde: but the moost comon fame wente, that he was stykked with a dagger, by the handes of the duke of Glouceter (age 18), which after Edwarde the. iiii. vsurpyd the crowne, and was kynge as after shall appere.

Archaeologia Volume 21 Section III Chapter IV. 24 Jun 1471 All these events having come to the knowledge of Henry, lately stiled king, but then a prisoner in the Tower of London, he took them so much to heart, that through displeasure and melancholy, he departed this life on the 24th of the said month of June.