Great Council, 1458
On 28 February 1458 a Great Council Meeting took place in London. It was designed to bring about a resolution to disputes across England. With the Earl of Devon dying whilst on his way to London for…
Henry VI resumed Personal Rule, 1456
In February 1456 King Henry VI resumed his personal rule, bringing an end to the second of Richard Duke of York‘s periods as Protector of the Realm. Bale’s Chronicle notes this as the date upon which…
Arrest of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester 20 Feb 1447
On 20 February 1447 Humphrey Duke of Gloucester was arrested. He was taken into custody, where he died in suspicious circumstances on 23 February. Good Duke Humphrey Duke Humphrey, the King’s uncle, was a hugely…
24 Feb 1462 Charter of Incorporation of the Barber’s of London
On 24 February 1462 King Edward IV granted a charter to the Barber’s of London. The Barber’s had been recognised previously, with written evidence dating to 1308. However this grant of a charter marked a…
20 Feb 1461: “was next pursued by a Frenchman”
On 20 February 1461 Francesco Coppino the Bishop of Terni and Apostolic [Papal] Legate wrote from Brill [Brielle] in the Netherlands. Whilst this letter contains little as to events in England, it does illustrate the…
4 March 1461: Proclamation of Edward of York as King of England
On 4 March 1461 the Yorkists proclaimed that Edward, by now Duke of York, was King of England. The proclamation took place in London. It occurred whilst King Henry VI was alive, and without Parliament…
Petition to Parliament of Roger Twynyho
On 20 February 1478 a Petition to Parliament from Roger Twynyho was heard. It related to the trial and execution of his wife, Ankarette Twynyho, at the direction of George Duke of Clarence. Ankarette had been charged…
Execution of Sir William Stanley. 16 February 1495
Sir William Stanley is a figure who sits up much emotion in online discussions. He is the man who intervened at Bosworth on 22 August 1485 which is perceived as being a reason for the…
23 February 1461: “I do not know what to believe”
Rumour was clearly rife in London in the aftermath of the Second Battle of St. Albans. Letters from the Milanese papers illustrate the variety of reports that they were hearing. They were often contradictory, sometimes…
Fransceco Sforza: It is necessary to employ all our wit and industry”
Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan had an interest in the events taking place in England in 1460-61. Though far away, the Duke’s economic and diplomatic interests were potentially impacted by changes taking place in England.…