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Authors: Robert Hutchinson
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| 1523 | August Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, leads a 10,000-strong English army in a second invasion of northern France but bad weather disrupts his advance on Paris and he retreats to Flanders. |
| 1524 | Henry stops sleeping regularly with his wife Katherine of Aragon. |
| 1524 | 10 March Henry is injured whilst jousting against Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. |
| 1525 | Henry nearly drowns in a hunting accident near Hitchen, Hertfordshire. |
| 1525 | 24 February Richard de la Pole killed fighting on the French side at Battle of Pavia in Italy. |
| 1525 | 18 June Henry VIII’s bastard son, Henry Fitzroy, created Duke of Richmond at Bridewell. |
| 1525 | July Sir Thomas More appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. |
| 1525 | October Princess Mary separated from her mother and sent to Ludlow Castle. |
| 1527 | 17 May Wolsey’s legatine court sits to try Henry’s marriage but fails to make a pronouncement on its validity. |
| 1527 | May Sack of Rome by German mercenaries serving with Imperial forces in Italy. |
| 1527 | 22 June Henry VIII tells his wife he plans to divorce her as they have been ‘living in mortal sin’ for eighteen years. |
| 1527 | 3 August John Rut writes to Henry VIII from St John’s harbour, Newfoundland – the earliest surviving letter from North America. |
| 1528 | May Fourth pandemic of sweating sickness in England. |
| 1529 | 21 June – 23 July Legatine court sits at Blackfriars on the marriage of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon but is adjourned without making a judgement. |
| 1529 | 18 October Wolsey delivers Great Seal of England to Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk at York Place. |
| 1529 | 26 October Sir Thomas More takes oath of fidelity as Lord Chancellor in Westminster Hall. |
| 1530 | 4 November Wolsey arrested on treason charges and dies ( 29 November ) at Leicester, probably from dysentery. |
| 1531 | 8 March Convocation of bishops recognises Henry VIII as Head of the Church of England ‘as far as the law of God allows’. |
| 1531 | July Henry separates from Katherine of Aragon. |
| 1532 | 16 May Sir Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor. |
| 1533 | 25 January Henry secretly (and bigamously) marries the pregnant Anne Boleyn in a chamber above the Holbein Gate in the Palace of Westminster. |
| 1533 | 23 May Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, divorces Henry VIII from Katherine at an ecclesiastical court at Dunstable, Bedfordshire. |
| 1533 | 1 June Anne is crowned queen by Cranmer at Westminster Abbey. |
| 1533 | 7 September A baby daughter, subsequently christened Elizabeth, is born to Anne at Greenwich Palace. |
ENGLISH ROYALTY
Richard III
(1452 – 85). Eighth and youngest child of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, who was killed at Battle of Wakefield, 30 December 1460. Created Duke of Gloucester at age of eight. In 1472 he married the Prince of Wales’ widow, Anne, younger daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, ‘the Kingmaker’. Edward IV died on 9 April 1483 and Richard was appointed Lord Protector to the heir to the throne, twelve-year-old Edward V, who disappeared after entering the Tower of London with his younger brother Richard, Duke of York. Seized power and was crowned 6 July 1483 in Westminster Abbey. His army was defeated and he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485 by invading forces commanded by
Henry VII
. Richard was the last reigning English monarch to be killed in battle.
(1452 – 85). Eighth and youngest child of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, who was killed at Battle of Wakefield, 30 December 1460. Created Duke of Gloucester at age of eight. In 1472 he married the Prince of Wales’ widow, Anne, younger daughter of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, ‘the Kingmaker’. Edward IV died on 9 April 1483 and Richard was appointed Lord Protector to the heir to the throne, twelve-year-old Edward V, who disappeared after entering the Tower of London with his younger brother Richard, Duke of York. Seized power and was crowned 6 July 1483 in Westminster Abbey. His army was defeated and he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth on 22 August 1485 by invading forces commanded by
Henry VII
. Richard was the last reigning English monarch to be killed in battle.
Henry VII
(1457 – 1509). Born to
Margaret Beaufort
, wife of Edmund Tudor, First Earl of Richmond, who died from the plague three months before in Carmarthen Castle, south Wales, where he was imprisoned by Yorkists. Exiled in 1471 after the defeat of the Lancastrian cause in the Wars of the Roses and spent fourteen years under the protection of Francis II, Duke of Brittany. Snatched the throne of England after his defeat of
Richard III
at Bosworth, 22 August 1485. Crowned as first Tudor monarch at Westminster that October and married
Elizabeth of York
, daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, in 1486.
(1457 – 1509). Born to
Margaret Beaufort
, wife of Edmund Tudor, First Earl of Richmond, who died from the plague three months before in Carmarthen Castle, south Wales, where he was imprisoned by Yorkists. Exiled in 1471 after the defeat of the Lancastrian cause in the Wars of the Roses and spent fourteen years under the protection of Francis II, Duke of Brittany. Snatched the throne of England after his defeat of
Richard III
at Bosworth, 22 August 1485. Crowned as first Tudor monarch at Westminster that October and married
Elizabeth of York
, daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, in 1486.
Lady Margaret Beaufort
,
Countess of Richmond
(1443 – 1509). Daughter of John Beaufort, First Duke of Somerset. She was aged twelve when she married Edmund Tudor, First Earl of Richmond on 1 November 1455. She gave birth to their only child, later
Henry VII
, on 28 January 1457, three months after the death of her husband whilst incarcerated. On 3 January 1462 Margaret married her cousin, Henry Stafford, son of Humphrey Stafford, First Duke of Buckingham, who had died in 1471. In June 1473 she married for the third time to Thomas Stanley, Second Baron Stanley, who with his brother
William
, decisively changed sides at Bosworth to hand victory to
Henry VII
. Now known as ‘the King’s Mother’, Margaret was not only was the richest woman in England but also one of the most pious. In 1499, after securing her husband’s
permission, she took a vow of chastity and lived apart from Stanley. In 1505 she refounded the impoverished Godshouse in Cambridge as Christ’s College and six years later her executors founded St John’s College in the same university. After being regent to
Henry VIII
for a few weeks after his accession, she died at Westminster on 29 June 1509.
,
Countess of Richmond
(1443 – 1509). Daughter of John Beaufort, First Duke of Somerset. She was aged twelve when she married Edmund Tudor, First Earl of Richmond on 1 November 1455. She gave birth to their only child, later
Henry VII
, on 28 January 1457, three months after the death of her husband whilst incarcerated. On 3 January 1462 Margaret married her cousin, Henry Stafford, son of Humphrey Stafford, First Duke of Buckingham, who had died in 1471. In June 1473 she married for the third time to Thomas Stanley, Second Baron Stanley, who with his brother
William
, decisively changed sides at Bosworth to hand victory to
Henry VII
. Now known as ‘the King’s Mother’, Margaret was not only was the richest woman in England but also one of the most pious. In 1499, after securing her husband’s
permission, she took a vow of chastity and lived apart from Stanley. In 1505 she refounded the impoverished Godshouse in Cambridge as Christ’s College and six years later her executors founded St John’s College in the same university. After being regent to
Henry VIII
for a few weeks after his accession, she died at Westminster on 29 June 1509.
Elizabeth of York
(1466 – 1503). Eldest child of Edward IV (died 1483) and his queen Elizabeth Woodville. This marriage was declared invalid by Richard III’s
Titulus Regius
in 1483, making the couple’s children illegitimate and ineligible for the succession to the crown. After
Henry VII
snatched the throne at Bosworth, the
Titulus Regius
was repealed and he married Elizabeth on 18 January 1486. She was crowned queen consort on 25 November 1487. The couple had eight children:
Arthur
, Prince of Wales; a boy reputedly named Edward who died shortly after birth;
Margaret
, later queen consort of Scotland; Henry, later
Henry VIII;
Elizabeth (died 1495);
Mary
, later queen consort of France; Edmund, Duke of Somerset (died 1500) and Katherine (died a few days after her birth, 1503). Elizabeth herself died after delivering her last child.
(1466 – 1503). Eldest child of Edward IV (died 1483) and his queen Elizabeth Woodville. This marriage was declared invalid by Richard III’s
Titulus Regius
in 1483, making the couple’s children illegitimate and ineligible for the succession to the crown. After
Henry VII
snatched the throne at Bosworth, the
Titulus Regius
was repealed and he married Elizabeth on 18 January 1486. She was crowned queen consort on 25 November 1487. The couple had eight children:
Arthur
, Prince of Wales; a boy reputedly named Edward who died shortly after birth;
Margaret
, later queen consort of Scotland; Henry, later
Henry VIII;
Elizabeth (died 1495);
Mary
, later queen consort of France; Edmund, Duke of Somerset (died 1500) and Katherine (died a few days after her birth, 1503). Elizabeth herself died after delivering her last child.
Arthur Tudor
,
Prince of Wales
(1486 – 1502). First child of
Henry VII
and
Elizabeth of York
, born a month prematurely at Winchester. Created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester at the age of three. Married
Katherine of Aragon
on 14 November 1501 in St Paul’s Cathedral and the couple moved to Ludlow Castle, Shropshire in Arthur’s role as Prince of Wales and president of the Council of Wales and the Marches. Died, probably of tuberculosis, on 2 April 1502 and buried in Worcester Cathedral.
,
Prince of Wales
(1486 – 1502). First child of
Henry VII
and
Elizabeth of York
, born a month prematurely at Winchester. Created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester at the age of three. Married
Katherine of Aragon
on 14 November 1501 in St Paul’s Cathedral and the couple moved to Ludlow Castle, Shropshire in Arthur’s role as Prince of Wales and president of the Council of Wales and the Marches. Died, probably of tuberculosis, on 2 April 1502 and buried in Worcester Cathedral.
Henry VIII
(1491 – 1547): Second son of
Henry VII
and
Elizabeth of York
. After his father’s death, his accession to the throne was proclaimed on 24 April 1509. Only a daughter,
Princess Mary
, survived as issue of his marriage with
Katherine of Aragon
, whom he sought to divorce because of his claim that their union was against the law of God and the church. At least one illegitimate child:
Henry Fitzroy
, born to Henry’s mistress,
Elizabeth Blount
on 15 June 1519. Awarded the title ‘Defender of the Faith’ by Pope Leo X but later became Supreme Head of the Church of England after his break with Rome. Married his mistress
Anne Boleyn
who was beheaded for adultery and incest (one child –
Elizabeth
); Jane Seymour (one child –
Edward
) and Catherine Howard (beheaded), Anne of Cleves (annulled) and Katherine Parr who outlived him.
(1491 – 1547): Second son of
Henry VII
and
Elizabeth of York
. After his father’s death, his accession to the throne was proclaimed on 24 April 1509. Only a daughter,
Princess Mary
, survived as issue of his marriage with
Katherine of Aragon
, whom he sought to divorce because of his claim that their union was against the law of God and the church. At least one illegitimate child:
Henry Fitzroy
, born to Henry’s mistress,
Elizabeth Blount
on 15 June 1519. Awarded the title ‘Defender of the Faith’ by Pope Leo X but later became Supreme Head of the Church of England after his break with Rome. Married his mistress
Anne Boleyn
who was beheaded for adultery and incest (one child –
Elizabeth
); Jane Seymour (one child –
Edward
) and Catherine Howard (beheaded), Anne of Cleves (annulled) and Katherine Parr who outlived him.
Katherine of Aragon
(1485 – 1536). Henry’s first queen. Youngest surviving child of
Ferdinand of Aragon
and
Isabella of Castile
and aunt to
Charles V
of Spain, the Holy Roman Emperor. Married Henry’s elder brother,
Arthur
, on 14 November 1501 but left a widow after his death on 2 April 1502. Married Henry on 11 June 1509 and had six pregnancies but only
Princess Mary
survived birth.
Died at Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdonshire, of cancer of the heart, 7 January 1536.
(1485 – 1536). Henry’s first queen. Youngest surviving child of
Ferdinand of Aragon
and
Isabella of Castile
and aunt to
Charles V
of Spain, the Holy Roman Emperor. Married Henry’s elder brother,
Arthur
, on 14 November 1501 but left a widow after his death on 2 April 1502. Married Henry on 11 June 1509 and had six pregnancies but only
Princess Mary
survived birth.
Died at Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdonshire, of cancer of the heart, 7 January 1536.
Anne Boleyn
(
c
.1501 – 36) second daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond and second wife of
Henry VIII
, secretly marrying the king on 25 January 1533. Gave birth to
Elizabeth
, her only child, on 7 September 1533 at Greenwich. Arrested on charges of adultery and incest and executed at the Tower, 19 May 1536.
(
c
.1501 – 36) second daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond and second wife of
Henry VIII
, secretly marrying the king on 25 January 1533. Gave birth to
Elizabeth
, her only child, on 7 September 1533 at Greenwich. Arrested on charges of adultery and incest and executed at the Tower, 19 May 1536.
Princess Mary
, later Queen Mary I (1516 – 58). Only surviving child of
Henry VIII
and his first wife
Katherine of Aragon
. Proclaimed queen on 19 July 1553. Re-introduced Catholicism to England. Married Philip, son of
Charles V
of Spain at Winchester, 25 July 1554. Died, childless, from ovarian or stomach cancer, St James’ Palace, London, 17 November 1558.
, later Queen Mary I (1516 – 58). Only surviving child of
Henry VIII
and his first wife
Katherine of Aragon
. Proclaimed queen on 19 July 1553. Re-introduced Catholicism to England. Married Philip, son of
Charles V
of Spain at Winchester, 25 July 1554. Died, childless, from ovarian or stomach cancer, St James’ Palace, London, 17 November 1558.
Princess Elizabeth
, later Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603). Daughter of
Henry VIII
and his second wife
Anne Boleyn
. Succeeded
Mary I
as queen 17 November 1558. Secured Protestantism as state religion. Died, unmarried, from pneumonia and dental sepsis, Richmond, 24 March 1603.
, later Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603). Daughter of
Henry VIII
and his second wife
Anne Boleyn
. Succeeded
Mary I
as queen 17 November 1558. Secured Protestantism as state religion. Died, unmarried, from pneumonia and dental sepsis, Richmond, 24 March 1603.
Prince Edward
later Edward VI (1537 – 53). Legitimate son of
Henry VIII
and his third wife Jane Seymour. Proclaimed king 31 January 1547 at the Tower of London. Died of tuberculosis, complicated by measles and sundry unorthodox medicines, Greenwich Palace, 6 July 1553.
later Edward VI (1537 – 53). Legitimate son of
Henry VIII
and his third wife Jane Seymour. Proclaimed king 31 January 1547 at the Tower of London. Died of tuberculosis, complicated by measles and sundry unorthodox medicines, Greenwich Palace, 6 July 1553.
Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond
(1519 – 36). Bastard son of
Henry VIII
and
Elizabeth Blount
, a maid of honour to
Katherine of Aragon
. Created Duke of Richmond at Bridewell on 18 June 1525. Under care of Thomas Howard, Third Duke of Norfolk. Married, on 26 November 1533, Mary Howard, daughter of Norfolk. Died 23 July 1536 of a pulmonary infection. The marriage was never consummated.
(1519 – 36). Bastard son of
Henry VIII
and
Elizabeth Blount
, a maid of honour to
Katherine of Aragon
. Created Duke of Richmond at Bridewell on 18 June 1525. Under care of Thomas Howard, Third Duke of Norfolk. Married, on 26 November 1533, Mary Howard, daughter of Norfolk. Died 23 July 1536 of a pulmonary infection. The marriage was never consummated.
Margaret Tudor
, queen consort of Scotland (1489 – 1541). Elder daughter of
Henry VII
and
Elizabeth of York
. Married
James IV
of Scotland in Edinburgh on 8 August 1503 and was crowned in March 1504. In 1512 she gave birth to a son who succeeded as James V after his father was killed at Flodden in 1513. The following year, Margaret bore a posthumous son, Alexander, Duke of Ross, who died in 1515. She married Archibald Douglas, Sixth Earl of Angus, on 6 August 1514 and lost the regency and guardianship of her sons by James IV. After divorcing Douglas in 1527, Margaret married Henry Stewart, created Lord Methven, and died at Methven Castle on 18 October 1541.
, queen consort of Scotland (1489 – 1541). Elder daughter of
Henry VII
and
Elizabeth of York
. Married
James IV
of Scotland in Edinburgh on 8 August 1503 and was crowned in March 1504. In 1512 she gave birth to a son who succeeded as James V after his father was killed at Flodden in 1513. The following year, Margaret bore a posthumous son, Alexander, Duke of Ross, who died in 1515. She married Archibald Douglas, Sixth Earl of Angus, on 6 August 1514 and lost the regency and guardianship of her sons by James IV. After divorcing Douglas in 1527, Margaret married Henry Stewart, created Lord Methven, and died at Methven Castle on 18 October 1541.
Mary Tudor
, queen consort of France (1496 – 1533). Second daughter of
Henry VII
and
Elizabeth of York
and
Henry VIII
’s younger sister. In 1508 she was betrothed to Charles of Castile, afterwards
Charles V
but the marriage plans
were scrapped and instead, she married the aging
Louis XII
of France on 9 October 1514 and was crowned queen of France in November. He died on 1 January 1515 and Mary secretly married
Charles Brandon
, Duke of Suffolk, much to
Henry VIII
’s anger. After the couple agreed to pay back Mary’s dowry and hand over her plate and jewels, the king’s indignation was mollified and their marriage was publicly solemnised at Greenwich in May 1515. They had four children: Henry, who died young; Frances, later the wife of Henry Grey, Marquis of Northampton and mother of Lady Jane Grey, Eleanor, and a second son, also called Henry who died about the age of twelve. Mary died at Westhorpe, Suffolk and was buried in the abbey at Bury St Edmund’s but after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, her body was moved into the parish church there.
, queen consort of France (1496 – 1533). Second daughter of
Henry VII
and
Elizabeth of York
and
Henry VIII
’s younger sister. In 1508 she was betrothed to Charles of Castile, afterwards
Charles V
but the marriage plans
were scrapped and instead, she married the aging
Louis XII
of France on 9 October 1514 and was crowned queen of France in November. He died on 1 January 1515 and Mary secretly married
Charles Brandon
, Duke of Suffolk, much to
Henry VIII
’s anger. After the couple agreed to pay back Mary’s dowry and hand over her plate and jewels, the king’s indignation was mollified and their marriage was publicly solemnised at Greenwich in May 1515. They had four children: Henry, who died young; Frances, later the wife of Henry Grey, Marquis of Northampton and mother of Lady Jane Grey, Eleanor, and a second son, also called Henry who died about the age of twelve. Mary died at Westhorpe, Suffolk and was buried in the abbey at Bury St Edmund’s but after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, her body was moved into the parish church there.
PRETENDERS TO THE CROWN OF ENGLAND
Edward Plantagenet
,
Seventeenth Earl of Warwick
(1475 – 99). Son of George, First Duke of Clarence, and younger brother of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (governess to
Princess Mary
but executed by
Henry VIII
on 27 May 1541 when she was aged sixty-seven). After the death of Richard III’s son Edward in 1484, Warwick was named heir to the throne, but this was overtaken by the later declaration of
John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln
as his heir. After
Henry VIII
seized the throne at Bosworth, Warwick was imprisoned in the Tower as a dangerous potential claimant. Contemporaries described him as simple-minded, ‘not able to tell a goose from a capon’. The last of the male Plantagenet line, he was executed on 28 November 1499 at Tower Hill.
,
Seventeenth Earl of Warwick
(1475 – 99). Son of George, First Duke of Clarence, and younger brother of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (governess to
Princess Mary
but executed by
Henry VIII
on 27 May 1541 when she was aged sixty-seven). After the death of Richard III’s son Edward in 1484, Warwick was named heir to the throne, but this was overtaken by the later declaration of
John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln
as his heir. After
Henry VIII
seized the throne at Bosworth, Warwick was imprisoned in the Tower as a dangerous potential claimant. Contemporaries described him as simple-minded, ‘not able to tell a goose from a capon’. The last of the male Plantagenet line, he was executed on 28 November 1499 at Tower Hill.
Lambert Simnel
(
c
.1477 –
c
.1525). Son of an Oxford joiner or organ-maker. Because of his physical resemblance to the ten-year-old
Edward Plantagenet
,
Earl of Warwick
, Richard Simons, an Oxford-trained priest, took the boy to Ireland, claiming that he was the true Warwick. He was crowned in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on 24 May 1487 as ‘Richard IV’ and with Irish troops mustered by Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and German mercenaries under another pretender,
John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln
, the rebel force landed in Cumbria that June. They were defeated by royalist forces at Stoke Field on 16 June, but Simnel was spared and sent to the royal kitchens as a scullion and turnspit, later progressing to the post of falconer.
(
c
.1477 –
c
.1525). Son of an Oxford joiner or organ-maker. Because of his physical resemblance to the ten-year-old
Edward Plantagenet
,
Earl of Warwick
, Richard Simons, an Oxford-trained priest, took the boy to Ireland, claiming that he was the true Warwick. He was crowned in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on 24 May 1487 as ‘Richard IV’ and with Irish troops mustered by Gerald Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and German mercenaries under another pretender,
John de la Pole, Earl of Lincoln
, the rebel force landed in Cumbria that June. They were defeated by royalist forces at Stoke Field on 16 June, but Simnel was spared and sent to the royal kitchens as a scullion and turnspit, later progressing to the post of falconer.
John de la Pole
,
First Earl of Lincoln
(1464 – 87). Eldest son of John de la Pole, Second Duke of Suffolk and Elizabeth Plantagenet. Served
Richard III
as Lieutenant in Ireland and president of the Council of the North in England.
After Bosworth, he was reconciled with
Henry VIII
but tried to seize power, allying himself with the pretender,
Lambert Simnel
. Killed at the Battle of Stoke Field on 16 June 1487. His younger brother
Edmund de la Pole
,
Sixth Earl of Suffolk
, became the leading Yorkist claimant but was executed by
Henry VIII
on 4 May 1513. Their brother
Richard
continued the de la Pole claim until his death at the Battle of Pavia on 24 February 1525.
,
First Earl of Lincoln
(1464 – 87). Eldest son of John de la Pole, Second Duke of Suffolk and Elizabeth Plantagenet. Served
Richard III
as Lieutenant in Ireland and president of the Council of the North in England.
After Bosworth, he was reconciled with
Henry VIII
but tried to seize power, allying himself with the pretender,
Lambert Simnel
. Killed at the Battle of Stoke Field on 16 June 1487. His younger brother
Edmund de la Pole
,
Sixth Earl of Suffolk
, became the leading Yorkist claimant but was executed by
Henry VIII
on 4 May 1513. Their brother
Richard
continued the de la Pole claim until his death at the Battle of Pavia on 24 February 1525.
Edmund de la Pole
,
Sixth Earl of Suffolk
(?1472 – 1513). Second son of John de la Pole, Second Duke of Suffolk, and younger brother to
John
, First Earl of Lincoln, and elder brother to
Richard de la Pole
. In 1499, he was indicted for murder and fled England in July but was persuaded to return. Having heard that the
Emperor Maximilian
was no friend of
Henry VIII
’s he went to the continent again in August 1501 with his brother
Richard
. Three years later he was attainted and Archduke
Philip
of Burgundy agreed to return him to England and he was imprisoned in the Tower on 24 April 1506. He was beheaded on
Henry VIII
’s orders on 4 May 1513, before the king left for the invasion of France.
,
Sixth Earl of Suffolk
(?1472 – 1513). Second son of John de la Pole, Second Duke of Suffolk, and younger brother to
John
, First Earl of Lincoln, and elder brother to
Richard de la Pole
. In 1499, he was indicted for murder and fled England in July but was persuaded to return. Having heard that the
Emperor Maximilian
was no friend of
Henry VIII
’s he went to the continent again in August 1501 with his brother
Richard
. Three years later he was attainted and Archduke
Philip
of Burgundy agreed to return him to England and he was imprisoned in the Tower on 24 April 1506. He was beheaded on
Henry VIII
’s orders on 4 May 1513, before the king left for the invasion of France.
Richard de la Pole
(d.1525). Fifth son of John de la Pole (1442 – 91), Second Duke of Suffolk, and younger brother to
John
and
Edmund
. Fled England with his brother and remained at Aix-la-Chapelle in 1504 as surety for Edmund’s mounting debts. He escaped and when
Louis XII
was fighting English forces in France, he recognised Richard’s claims to the throne and appointed him a commander in the French army. In 1514 he was given 12,000 German mercenaries for an invasion attempt which was stymied by a peace treaty. Under Francis I, he also planned a further invasion in 1523 but this also proved abortive. He was killed fighting for the French at the Battle of Pavia in February 1525.
(d.1525). Fifth son of John de la Pole (1442 – 91), Second Duke of Suffolk, and younger brother to
John
and
Edmund
. Fled England with his brother and remained at Aix-la-Chapelle in 1504 as surety for Edmund’s mounting debts. He escaped and when
Louis XII
was fighting English forces in France, he recognised Richard’s claims to the throne and appointed him a commander in the French army. In 1514 he was given 12,000 German mercenaries for an invasion attempt which was stymied by a peace treaty. Under Francis I, he also planned a further invasion in 1523 but this also proved abortive. He was killed fighting for the French at the Battle of Pavia in February 1525.
Perkin Warbeck
(
c
.1474 – 99). Born in Tournai, the son of a French official John de Werbecque (or Osbek), comptroller of the city, but claimed to be Richard, Duke of York, one of the missing ‘Princes in the Tower’. Landed in Ireland in November 1491 in the hopes of winning support and was later recognised by
Margaret of York
, protector of Burgundy, sister to Edward IV. Funded by Burgundian cash, he landed at Deal on 3 July 1495 but some of his troops were killed or captured and he ended up at the court of James IV of Scotland who gave him shelter. There he married James’ cousin, Lady Catherine Gordon, and launched an abortive invasion of England across the Scottish border. The remnants of his fleet landed in Cornwall in September 1497 and Warbeck rallied 8,000 Cornish malcontents to his cause. After vainly attacking Exeter he fled his forces at the approach of the royalist army and surrendered at
Beaulieu Abbey on 5 October 1497. He was hanged at Tyburn on 23 November 1499 after reading out a confession.
(
c
.1474 – 99). Born in Tournai, the son of a French official John de Werbecque (or Osbek), comptroller of the city, but claimed to be Richard, Duke of York, one of the missing ‘Princes in the Tower’. Landed in Ireland in November 1491 in the hopes of winning support and was later recognised by
Margaret of York
, protector of Burgundy, sister to Edward IV. Funded by Burgundian cash, he landed at Deal on 3 July 1495 but some of his troops were killed or captured and he ended up at the court of James IV of Scotland who gave him shelter. There he married James’ cousin, Lady Catherine Gordon, and launched an abortive invasion of England across the Scottish border. The remnants of his fleet landed in Cornwall in September 1497 and Warbeck rallied 8,000 Cornish malcontents to his cause. After vainly attacking Exeter he fled his forces at the approach of the royalist army and surrendered at
Beaulieu Abbey on 5 October 1497. He was hanged at Tyburn on 23 November 1499 after reading out a confession.
Edward Stafford
,
Third Duke of Buckingham
(1478 – 1521). Eldest son of Henry Stafford, the Second Duke, who was attainted and executed for treason by
Richard III
in 1483. On
Henry VII
’s accession, the attainder was reversed and the custody of Edward’s lands and his wardship was given to
Lady Margaret Beaufort
, the new king’s mother. Despite his aspirations for the throne, Buckingham was sworn a Privy Councillor on 20 November 1510. He was a captain in the English army in France in June – October 1513 and attended the Field of the Cloth of Gold in June 1520. He became an enemy of
Wolsey
and the subject of deep suspicion by
Henry VIII
. He was tried by his peers for treason and beheaded on Tower Hill on 17 May 1521.
,
Third Duke of Buckingham
(1478 – 1521). Eldest son of Henry Stafford, the Second Duke, who was attainted and executed for treason by
Richard III
in 1483. On
Henry VII
’s accession, the attainder was reversed and the custody of Edward’s lands and his wardship was given to
Lady Margaret Beaufort
, the new king’s mother. Despite his aspirations for the throne, Buckingham was sworn a Privy Councillor on 20 November 1510. He was a captain in the English army in France in June – October 1513 and attended the Field of the Cloth of Gold in June 1520. He became an enemy of
Wolsey
and the subject of deep suspicion by
Henry VIII
. He was tried by his peers for treason and beheaded on Tower Hill on 17 May 1521.
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