THE GELDERLAND DOCUMENT – ‘PROOF OF LIFE OF RICHARD DUKE OF YORK* ALIAS PERKIN WARBECK

*This is the title of a chapter from The Princes in the Tower by Philippa Langley.  Without the aid of this invaluable book I would never have been able to write this post… Reblogged from A Medieval Potpourri @sparkypus.com The Gelderland Document is a unique, tantalising and quite astonishing document that was discovered back in the… Continue reading THE GELDERLAND DOCUMENT – ‘PROOF OF LIFE OF RICHARD DUKE OF YORK* ALIAS PERKIN WARBECK

When in East Anglia, please avoid deserted country roads near water….

Oh dear, the shivers are running down my back because I just found this article which relates some of the watery horrors of East Anglia. I came upon the article while searching for something about John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, who would die at Bosworth alongside the king whose good friend and supporter he… Continue reading When in East Anglia, please avoid deserted country roads near water….

I wonder …

We all know that Sir John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk, was descended from Thomas of Brotherton, a younger son of Edward I. Several branches of the Howard family have held the title ever since, except for periods under attainder from 1485-1514, 1547-53 and 1572-1660. Were any of them descended from more recent monarchs? Henry… Continue reading I wonder …

Another book of solid evidence

This time, Philippa Langley and her team have discovered proof that both the “Princes” survived into 1487, by which time Henry “Tudor” had re-legitimated them both by repealing the original Titulus Regiuss unread. Both went on to challenge Henry, albeit unsuccessfully. The evidence, verified by the likes of Dr. Janina Ramirez, includes: An invoice from… Continue reading Another book of solid evidence

Elizabeth’s Letter

I am currently reading the new edition of The History of King Richard the Third by Sir George Buc. This is a massive tome, by any standards, and certainly, no light read. I have barely begun to absorb the contents, but one interesting discussion in the (very large) introduction is about the famous letter which… Continue reading Elizabeth’s Letter

Ockwells Manor and John Howard, Duke of Norfolk….

Ockwells Manor in Berkshire is surely one of the most beautiful old houses in the United Kingdom. It encapsulates everything we sigh for longingly when it comes to rambling, romantic half-timbered medieval properties with gables and a good few chimneys. And it predates the Tudors! More than its beauty and desirability, Ockwells Manor has a… Continue reading Ockwells Manor and John Howard, Duke of Norfolk….

The Wardrobe, the King’s Wardrobes….er, no The Queen’s Wardrobe….?

  During the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, when the Tower of London was breached by the rebels and some of those sheltering inside were dragged out and executed, another person of note who was there was widowed Joan of Kent, Princess of Wales, mother of 14-year-old King Richard II. Well, the future Henry IV was… Continue reading The Wardrobe, the King’s Wardrobes….er, no The Queen’s Wardrobe….?

A mystery man named Avery Cornburgh….

  “….Cornburgh, originally from Cornwall and later of Gooshayes (Essex), was yeoman at the Lancastrian, Yorkist, and Tudor courts and a man of considerable power….” The above extract is from this article I confess I had never heard of Avery Cornburgh (died 1487) who was apparently a close friend of John Howard, Duke of Norfolk.… Continue reading A mystery man named Avery Cornburgh….

ORCHESTON & THE DUKES OF BUCKINGHAM

During lockdown, I found myself walking around local villages, some that I had only passed through before. An interesting one was Orcheston, a tiny, sleepy place which has not one, but TWO medieval churches, St George’s and St Mary’s, one set at either end of the village. Both were interesting to visit but what was… Continue reading ORCHESTON & THE DUKES OF BUCKINGHAM