The transfer of the Neville Inheritance into the estates of Richard Duke of Gloucester was not a foregone conclusion. Following the death of Richard Neville 16th Earl of Warwick in the Battle of Barnet, his estates…
In 1439 Robert Neville, Bishop of Durham, took possession of the barony of Barnard Castle. This was no simple transfer of land rights. Instead, in the words of Professor A J Pollard, he had entered…
On 16 April 1471 there was an attempted Civic Coup in Salisbury. The turmoil that beset the Lords of the land had localised consequences. In many parts of the country, the trades that exported were…
The York House Books contain a note, dated 17 March 1477, about a John Collins. Collins was accused of being an envoy of the Scots. It resulted in messages being sent to his place of…
On 5th March 1486 Elizabeth Woodville was restored to her Dower lands by King Henry VII. Dower lands are the estates granted to a lady which she retains as a source of income and influence in…
Prosperity can only be achieved through peace. So, let’s start a war with France. Following the restoration of Edward IV in 1471, attention turned to ensuring peace and prosperity. Along with it, came the prospect…
The College of Arms is the institution that governs all matters of heraldry in modern Britain. It was established on 2nd March 1484 for that very purpose in England and Wales. The heralds were…
On 28 February 1458 a Great Council Meeting took place in London. It was designed to bring about a resolution to disputes across England. With the Earl of Devon dying whilst on his way to London for…
On 20 February 1447 Humphrey Duke of Gloucester was arrested. He was taken into custody, where he died in suspicious circumstances on 23 February. Good Duke Humphrey Duke Humphrey, the King’s uncle, was a hugely…
On 4 March 1461 the Yorkists proclaimed that Edward, by now Duke of York, was King of England. The proclamation took place in London. It occurred whilst King Henry VI was alive, and without Parliament…