Colyngbourne was the rat….!

The following passage is from The Darlington and Stockton Times “The rat, the cat and Lovel our dog, Rule all England under a hog.” “This seemingly innocuous verse was in fact a searing criticism of those in power at the time it was written in 1484, and was found pinned to the door of St… Continue reading Colyngbourne was the rat….!

Significant opportunities missed?

Robert Stillington is likely to have been born in about 1420 and was consecrated as Bishop of Bath and Wells on 30 October 1465. As we know, in spring 1483, he confessed his knowledge of Edward IV’s bigamy. Based on Stillington’s evidence, the Three Estates voted to cancel the coronation of Edward V, inviting Richard… Continue reading Significant opportunities missed?

Was Lord Stanley present when Hastings was arrested….?

Tomorrow is the 534th anniversary of the council meeting in the Tower that culminated in the arrest of Hastings. There have always been inconsistencies in accounts of that day, but the one I am concerned with is whether or not that treacherous snake, Thomas Stanley, was present. You see, according to whose version one reads, at… Continue reading Was Lord Stanley present when Hastings was arrested….?

A Yorkist chronicler under Henry VII’s nose?

“Hearne’s Fragment” is a relatively little-known source on late fifteenth century England. It is mysterious in origin, missing in part and not entirely accurate in detail, perhaps using old-style years? To begin with, it gives Edward IV’s birth year as 1440 and errs in those of his brothers as well, although there is another possible… Continue reading A Yorkist chronicler under Henry VII’s nose?

SIR WILLIAM STANLEY – TURNCOAT OR LOYALIST

UPDATED POST AT sparkypus.com A Medieval Potpourri https://sparkypus.com/2020/06/26/sir-william-stanley-turncoat-or-loyalist/ It is well documented how, through the treasonable and treacherous actions of Sir William Stanley at Bosworth, Richard lost his crown and his life. He was hacked to death after Stanley, who brought 3000 men with him, intervened at the crucial point when Richard, with his household… Continue reading SIR WILLIAM STANLEY – TURNCOAT OR LOYALIST

LORD OF THE NORTH

Richard duke of Gloucester: courage, loyalty, lordship and law[1]   “ Men and kings must be judged in the testing moments of their lives Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because, as has been said, it is the quality that guarantees all others.” (Winston Churchill 1931)   Introduction I do not suppose… Continue reading LORD OF THE NORTH

The Tragedy of King Richard 111 (not by William Shakespeare)

     Part 8 – “Rumour it abroad…”   “ I, from the orient to the drooping west, Making the wind my post-horse, still unfold The acts commenced on this ball of earth; Upon my tongues continual slanders ride; The which in every language I pronounce Stuffing the ears of men with false reports… And no… Continue reading The Tragedy of King Richard 111 (not by William Shakespeare)

The Tragedy of King Richard 111 (not by William Shakespeare)

Part 4 – “… the corruption of a blemished stock “ “ A beauty-waning and distressed widow,    Even in the afternoon of her best days,    Made prize and purchase of his wanton eye    Seduced the pitch and height of his degree    To base declension and loathed bigamy. “    (William Shakespeare)… Continue reading The Tragedy of King Richard 111 (not by William Shakespeare)

THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD 111 (NOT BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE)

(some personal reflections on events in England between April and the autumn 1483) Part 1: ‘Now is the winter of our discontent…’ “ …O, full of danger is the Duke of Gloucester, And the Queen’s sons and brothers haught and proud; And were they to be ruled, and not to rule. This sickly land might… Continue reading THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD 111 (NOT BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE)