Henry Stafford duke of Buckingham appointed as High Steward
On 7 February 1478 Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham was appointed as High Steward. The role was one of State but in this instance was awarded for one particular task: to pronounce the death sentence on George duke of Clarence. This came at a time when the Duke of Buckingham had been largely absent from public affairs for several years.
The High Steward and the Trial of George duke of Clarence
Henry Stafford was the Duke of Buckingham. He was related to the King and to the former Lancastrian Royal Family. The High Steward’s position was administrative in nature but often a title to denote importance with officials doing most of the work. It did though include some essential duties. The Duke of Buckingham’s appointment was to fulfil a straightforward task. To pass the death sentence on George, Duke of Clarence. The Duke had been accused of treason. His accuser was none other than his brother, King Edward IV.
In a unique scenario, a senior noble’s trial, heard in Parliament as was tradition, saw the monarch himself acting as the prosecutor. As you would expect in a trial, witnesses were called. All for the prosecution, George was offered no defence. George had little chance of being found not guilty.
Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham passes the death sentence
Parliament passed its verdict. What was needed was a High Steward to pass sentence. That task went to Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham, who duly proclaimed the death sentence.
The Duke of Clarence was returned to the Tower of London. The sentence was not carried out immediately, and the House of Commons raised the matter of the execution with the King.
George was executed in private some days after sentencing. Legend has it that he was drowned in a vat of Malmsey wine.
Why was the Duke of Buckingham given the role of High Steward?
Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham was one of the most powerful men in the country. In 1478 few held more lands or had more wealth than the young Duke: probably only Richard duke of Gloucester and the accused man, George duke of Clarence held more, besides those held by the Crown itself. As such, it made sense for him to be given a role in the trial and sentencing of a Royal Duke. That helped to ensure some kind of legitimacy to the proceedings and removed the risks associated with having lesser nobles provided with a position close to the King. However, the Duke of Buckingham had been rather isolated from court in the previous 2-3 years. In 1475 the duke had participated in the Invasion of France but returned to England before the negotiations that resulted in the Treaty of Picquigny. Following this, he had been excluded from the Royal Council, and held no roles other than County Commissions from the return of Edward IV from France until this appointment as High Steward. From a position of isolation to office of State is a rather large leap. Whilst Henry’s lineage was clearly of note, was there also a suggestion of the Crown making the outcome of any treasons against Edward IV implicitly clear to Henry 2nd Duke of Buckingham?
Further reading and related content
The Buckingham Revolt of 1483.
Davies, C. S. L. “Stafford, Henry, second duke of Buckingham (1455–1483), magnate and rebel.” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. September 22, 2011. Oxford University Press. Date of access 8 Jan. 2025, <>