In 1483 Henry Tudor had a role in what we know as Buckingham’s Rebellion. Henry had assembled a small fleet of seven ships. His intention was to sail to the south coast and join the revolt with some 500 men. His involvement was part of a wider coordination of the various opponents of Richard III. This included his mother, Margaret Beaufort, Elizabeth Woodville and members of her family such as the Marquis of Dorset, and the Duke of Buckingham.

Henry’s fleet had become dispersed at sea by poor weather. It resulted in just two of the ships being anchored in Plymouth Sound, including his own. As he had been making his preparations to sail and play his part in the rebellion, events in England had unfolded against the uprising. The Croyland Chronicle records these events.

Henry Tudor’s aborted landing in 1483

But let us return, in the meantime, to the events which took place after the flight of the rebels before-mentioned. While the matters which have been mentioned above were going on here and there in the western parts, and the king was still in the said city of Exeter, Henry, earl of Richmond, being unaware of these disturbances, had set sail with certain ships, and arrived with his adherents from Brittany, at the mouth of Plymouth harbour, where he came to anchor, in order to ascertain the real state of affairs. On news being at last brought him of the events which had happened, the death of the duke of Buckingham, and the flight of his own supporters, he at once hoisted sail, and again put to sea.

Further Reading on Henry Tudor’s aborted landing in 1483

The Buckingham Revolt

Henry Tudor embarks on his invasion, 1485

The Stanley’s intentions in 1485

King Richard III’s response to Henry Tudor’s fleet landing in 1485