Proclamation at Calais, July 1469
In Calais, a proclamation was made on 12 July 1469 by the Duke of Clarence, Earl of Warwick, and Archbishop of York regarding the state of English politics. The proclamation was similar to the calls…
William Catesby appointed as the speaker
On 24 January 1483 William Catesby was appointed as the speaker. At the beginning of each session of a medieval Parliament, a speaker was elected by the commons. The tradition was that the speaker would…
Lords swear oaths of allegiance to King Henry VI. December 1459
On 11 December 1459 the Lords swear oaths of allegiance to King Henry VI at the Coventry Parliament. Coventry Parliament The Coventry Parliament, known as the Parliament of Devils, ended its session on 11 December…
Henry Tudor urged by Parliament to marry Elizabeth of York
On 10 December 1485 the speaker of the commons urged King Henry VII to marry Elizabeth of York. A key negotiation in the build-up to the invasion of England and Wales by Henry Tudor was…
Henry Percy released by Henry Tudor, December 1485
On 6 December 1485, Henry Percy 4th Earl.of Northumberland was released from imprisonment. Henry Tudor had gaoled Percy following the Battle of Bosworth, at which Percy had borne arms on the side of Richard III. However,…
Grand Procession in London. 3 December 1450.
On 3 December 1450 a grand Royal Procession took place in London including many of the leading nobles. It came at a period of great tension, with large armed retinues accompanying lords. Men from the…
Duke of Somerset’s lodgings in London attacked, December 1450
The Duke of Somerset’s lodgings in Blackfriars were set upon by supporters of York and Norfolk on 1 or 2 December 1450. 1450 had proven to be a politically difficult year. It had begun with…
Request made of the City of Exeter
On 22 November 1455, the Earl of Devon asked the Mayor of Exeter, Hugh Germyn, to keep the Bonville family’s forces away from the city in the absence of his own men. Germyn replied that…
Parliament of Devils
The Coventry Parliament of November 1459 is often termed ‘The Parliament of Devils’ by modern historians. The Parliament came at a time of high tension. Writs of Summons to this session of Parliament were issued…
Second Protectorate of Richard 3rd Duke of York
Richard 3rd Duke of York was appointed protector and defender of the realm for a second time on 19 November 1455. This followed the Yorkist victory in the First Battle of St. Albans. King Henry…