Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham was born in September 1455. His father was Humphrey Stafford, Earl of Stafford and his mother was Margaret Beaufort Countess of Stafford [a cousin of Lady Margaret Beaufort who was mother of Henry Tudor]. Henry’s father died in 1458 so upon the death of his grandfather, Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham, at the Battle of Northampton on 10 July 1460, Henry inherited the Duchy, aged 4. Made a ward of King Edward IV, Henry was to play a major part in events towards the end of the Wars of the Roses. He died in 1483, executed for treason at Salisbury for his leadership of a plot that is remembered as the Buckingham Revolt.
Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham’s Minority
Upon the accession of Edward IV, Henry’s upbringing was managed through his wardship, which was held by King Edward IV. The King placed him into the household of his sister, Anne of York, Duchess of Exeter. He attended the coronation of Elizabeth Woodville, at which the Duke was knighted. A valuable wardship, Henry was married in February 1466, to Katherine Woodville, youngest sister of Queen Elizabeth, whilst he was ten years old and his bride aged eight. Henry was installed as a Knight of the Garter in 1474.
Emergence as a National Figure
Henry had spent his minority in and around the courts associated with the House of York. He had gained ranks and a bride by virtue of his status as a Duke. His first high profile appointment of national significance came in 1478. In 1478 the Trial and Sentencing of George Duke of Clarence required the appointment of a High Steward of England, who would formally pass judgement on the Duke at the end of his trial. Edward IV chose to appoint the young Duke of Buckingham to the position, for the sole purpose of sentencing the King’s brother to death for treason.
The Duke of Buckingham and the arrest of Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers.
When King Edward IV died the Duke of Buckingham rode to meet with Richard Duke of Gloucester who was travelling south from Yorkshire in response to his brother’s death. The two Dukes met. Together they met with King Edward V who was being escorted to London by Earl Rivers and his entourage. The Earl, along with leading members of his entourage, was arrested and sent as a captive to Pontefract Castle. Henry Duke of Buckingham and Richard Duke of Gloucester then escorted King Edward V to London.
Richard Duke of Gloucester as Protector
The Duke of Gloucester as the senior adult male Royal was appointed as Protector of England to lead government in the young King’s name during his minority. He moved quickly to cement the support of the Duke of Buckingham, granting him extensive powers in Wales and the Marches. He also gained positions in Wiltshire and Somerset.
Accession of Richard III
Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham played a major role in the accession of Richard. He was present when Ralph Shaw preached at St. Paul’s and himself spoke out in support of Richard’s claim to the throne on the basis of Edward V’s illegitimacy whilst speaking at the Guidhall on 24 June 1483. These were key moments in the transformation from a minority rule of Edward V to his being deemed illegitimate and the accession of Richard duke of Gloucester to the crown. At Richard III’s coronation the Duke of Buckingham in the role of Great Chamberlain carried the King’s train and his retinue took prominent positions throughout.
By mid July, the Duke of Buckingham had been appointed as Lord High Constable and inheritances derived from his ancestry were promised by the newly crowned King Richard III.
Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham appointed as Constable and Chamberlain
Revolt of the Duke of Buckingham
Just months into the reign of Richard III, Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham became involved in plots against the new King. The extent to which he actually led the plotting of the revolt remembered by his name is debatable. However, his involvement was clear. King Richard was made aware of the Duke’s plotting and raising of forces. Soon the Duke, and others implicated in plots of autumn 1483, was captured. For his part in the uprising against King Richard III, Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham was executed by beheading in Salisbury on 2 November 1483.
Image Credit
Coat of arms of Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, by CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikipedia.
