Clarence becomes disillusioned
The Duke of Clarence had a history of falling out of favour with his brother, King Edward IV. He had joined in rebellion with the Earl of Warwick. George duke of Clarence had participated in the readeption of Henry VI. He had married without the king’s consent and taken steps to prevent his younger brother, Richard duke of Gloucester, from marrying Anne Neville. Despite all of these indiscretions, George had always returned to the fold. In 1476 he once again began to be disillusioned.
The disillusionment in 1476 was caused by a redistribution of land. George had Tutbury taken from him. It had formed part of a royal grant to him. There is nothing particularly unusual about granted land being reallocated, it was the king’s prerogative to do so. George took this to heart though. It was perhaps the beginning of the end for the Duke of Clarence, he never fully returned to the favour of his brother after this dispute.
Other relevant pages: Edward IV, Flight of Clarence and Warwick, Clarence becomes disillusioned, Battle of Empingham/ Losecote Field, Contemporary view on the readeption, Clarence, Gloucester and the marriage to Anne, Attainder of George Duke of Clarence, Trial and execution of George duke of Clarence.
George becomes disillusioned
In returning to the history of this kingdom, and recalling to memory by what glory and tranquillity king Edward had rendered himself illustrious, after having gathered together treasures innumerable from the French tribute and the other particulars previously mentioned, let us subjoin certain matters that will admit of no denial. A new dissension, which sprang up shortly after, between him and his brother, the duke of Clarence, very greatly tarnished the glories of this most prudent king. For that duke now seemed gradually more and more to estrange himself from the king’s presence, hardly ever to utter a word in council, and not without reluctance to eat or drink in the king’s abode. On account of this interruption of their former friendship, many thought that the duke was extremely sore at heart, because, on the occasion of the general
resumption which the king had lately made in Parliament, the duke had lost the noble demesne of Tutbury, and several other lands, which he had formerly obtained by royal grant.
Image Credit
Tutbury Castle viewed from within the keep, looking west. CC BY 3.0. Via Wikimedia
