Divine indignation – Plague in the Wars of the Roses
In English history the Plague is associated with the spread of the Black Death in the 1340’s or Great Plague of 1665. Rarely is there discussion of Plague in the Wars of the Roses. References…
How did Richard III become King?
A timeline of events leading to the accession of Richard III. The question ‘How did Richard III become King?’ is one for which there is no simple answer. In a period of just 78 days…
Henry Tudor’s Fleet Embarks from France, 1485
The first of August 1485 was a significant date. A fleet of ships set sail from France. It carried an army comprised of mercenaries, exiled nobles and what remained of their supporters, some French and…
Battle of Empingham / Losecote Field
Battle of Empingham / Losecote Field On 12th March 1470 King Edward IV faced a rebellious army led by Sir Robert Welles. The clash took place at Empringham, Rutland and has become known as the…
Battle of Nibley Green, 20th March 1469/70
The Battle of Nibley Green was fought on 20th March 1469/70*. It is notable for having been the last battle between private baronial armies in England. Whilst the participants in this battle were supporters of…
Treason: Aiding the Duke of Somerset’s return to the Lancastrian fold
In this letter from John Paston the youngest to his father, Sir John Paston, the flight of the Duke of Somerset [to Queen Margaret] in early 1464 is alluded to. It talks of the efforts…
Second Battle of St. Albans
The Second Battle of St. Albans was fought on 17 February 1461. The Battle saw Yorkist forces under the command of the Earl of Warwick attempting, unsuccessfully, to halt the advance south of the Lancastrian…
Richard Duke of York’s claim to the crown, 1460
In 1460 Richard duke of York put forward a claim to the throne of England. The move was contrary to arguments that his supporters, the earls of Salisbury and Warwick, and his son, Edward earl…
Contemporary view on the readeption
Edward IV is portrayed as a usurper, oppressor and destroyer of the rightful king and noble blood of the realm of England in this contemporary document. Written at the time when George duke of Clarence…
1475 Will of King Edward the Fourth
King Edward IV wrote a will prior to the departure of the English army from Sandwich for the French campaign of 1475. It was common for royals and nobles to write a will prior to…