A Rosy and Thorny Game of Thrones - Part 2

Sunday sees the return of the HBO TV series Game of Thrones, the medieval fantasy based on A Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R. R. Martin, which was influenced by the Wars of the Roses. The Daily Mail and History Behind Game of Thrones compare the Cousin's War in 15th Century England and the War of the Five Kings that ravaged across Westeros in Game of Thrones.

The conflicted characters of Game of Thrones share many characteristics with the real-life players of the Wars of the Roses as rival families fought for the throne and once again there are spoilers below for those who aren't up-to-date with Game of Thrones. 

HOUSE STARK/YORK

The first family introduced in the Game of Thrones TV Series was the House of Stark led by patriarch Lord Eddard 'Ned' Stark. Ned, played by Sean Bean, was the Warden of the North who served his friend, Robert Baratheon, during the King's successful rebellion and he begrudgingly left his northern stronghold of Winterfell after being awarded the title Hand of the King in the first episode.

Ned Stark with his sword Ice

Despite the title's suggestion, Richard, Duke of York didn't command the north of England as strongly as Ned Stark. Land titles were often inherited and York's northern territories were limited to Sandal Castle in Wakefield whilst the north was mainly owned by the Neville and Percy families.

York served as Lieutenant of both France and Ireland but would soon be passed over for the favourites of England's king and queen. York's loyalty to the crown was tested by the queen, Margaret of Anjou, who would exchange scathing arguments similar to those had by Ned and Queen Cersei.

The turning point in Series One of Game of Thrones is when King Robert dies and Ned becomes Protector of the Realm to rule until King Joffrey comes of age. York was also named Lord Protector in 1453 when an incapacitated Henry VI was unable to rule. Ned soon discovers that King Joffrey and his siblings are bastards born from incest and publicly declares Joffrey illegitimate in the Throne Room.

Richard, Duke of York, claimant to the throne

York had arguably a better claim to the throne than Henry VI and would publicly declare this by placing his hand on the empty throne in October 1460. York wasn't betrayed as severely as Ned in the Throne Room but courtiers didn't support York as much as he would have liked and would spend weeks negotiating that resulted in decreeing York would inherit the throne after Henry VI.

Ned, however, was imprisoned for treason and his confession in the Sept of Baelor didn't dissuade Joffrey from having Ned beheaded and put on the battlements of the Red Keep. York would never get the chance to inherit the throne after dying in battle during December 1460 and he too would have his decapitated head spiked and put on display.

The wives of Lord Stark and York would also share similarities. Lady Catelyn Stark, played by Michelle Fairley, was part of the Riverlands' House Tully whilst Duchess of York, Cecily Neville, was of the northern Neville family.

Catelyn Stark would negotiate terms for her son's rebellion

York's wife was known as 'Proud Cis' and Catelyn would also share this trait as she hated to be reminded of Ned's infidelity and acted coldly around Ned's bastard son, Jon Snow.

Catelyn was actively involved in negotiating alliances with Lord Walder Frey and Renly Baratheon. Cecily would also negotiate for peace with Margaret of Anjou and the Council following her husband's several challenges to royal authority. Lady Stark's sister, Lysa, had married Lord John Arryn who would die as Hand of the King and caused Lysa to remove herself to the Vale of Arryn. The Stark sisters reunion at the Eyrie didn't go as Catelyn would have liked as Tyrion Lannister escaped execution and Lysa refused to commit troops to the Stark cause.

Cecily Neville would outlive her husband and 13 children

Cecily would also be reunited with her sister, Anne, in harsh circumstances after York had fled the battlefield and left his Duchess to the mercy of the Lancastrian forces. Cecily and her three youngest children were placed under the care of Anne Neville, Duchess of Buckingham, who was married to the Lancastrian commander, Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. 

The fates of Lady Stark and the Duchess of York would however differ. Cecily would live to the age of 80, outliving all of her 13 children, two of which became kings, and saw her grand-daughter become queen. Catelyn would live a much shorter live after falling victim to Walder Frey's betrayal and was killed alongside her eldest son, Robb at the Red Wedding.

Robb Stark, played by Richard Madden, had taken up arms in his father's defence and was named King of the North by his men. The eldest son of York, Edward IV would also take up arms following his father's death and would be proclaimed King of England in March 1461. Edward IV's victory at Towton confirmed his rule and was similar to Robb's victory at the Whispering Wood.

Robb Stark's marriage was similar to Edward IV's

Robb marched south from the Twins after negotiating a crossing with Walder Frey that involved Robb's betrothal to one of Frey's daughters. The betrothal was soon abandoned by Robb when he married Talisa Maegyr (played by Oona Chaplin)and this unwanted marriage was similar to Edward IV's union with Elizabeth Woodville. 

Edward IV was a valiant young King

The Earl of Warwick was negotiating a marriage between Edward IV and a European princess when the king married the daughter of a former squire and this alienated Warwick. Edward IV's uncle would unsuccessfully rebel against the king and was killed at the Battle of Barnet whilst Walder Frey was more successful by betraying Robb, his mother, his wife and unborn child who were killed at the Red Wedding.

Robb was himself betrayed by the Stark ward, Theon Greyjoy (played by Alfie Allen), and was reminiscent of George, Duke of Clarence's betraying his brother, Edward IV. Theon suggested a Stark/Greyjoy alliance to his surrogate brother and Robb allowed him to propose this alliance in person to Theon's father, Balon Greyjoy. This reunion would see Theon looking to prove himself to his father by betraying Robb and attacking Stark's home of Winterfell.

Theon Greyjoy couldn't resist his Iron Island roots

Clarence had aligned himself with Warwick following his brother's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville and this was affirmed with Clarence marrying Warwick's eldest daughter, Isabel Neville. Warwick's plan to overthrow the king and crown Clarence with his grandson as heir was soon thwarted and Warwick looked instead to an alliance with the exiled Margaret of Anjou. Clarence felt betrayed by Warwick and joined his brother's side at the Battle of Barnet in 1471 where they defeated Warwick.

George, Duke of Clarence, betrayed his brother

Clarence would soon rebel against Edward IV after his wife had died and would be executed for treason in 1478 by being drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine. Theon's confident and brash persona would die when he was captured and tortured by Ramsey Snow but it remains to be seen whether Theon can return to glory.

The Stark family is now led by the eldest daughter, Sansa Stark, played by Sophie Turner, who has transformed throughout the TV series. The naive 'little dove' had seen her Prince Joffrey take the head of her father and sadistically ridicule her. The Lady of Winterfell was married to Tyrion Lannister as a strategic match which Littlefinger wanted and engineered to possess the heiress of the North.

Sansa Stark, Lady of Winterfell, is highly sought after

Elizabeth of York was Edward IV's eldest daughter and was seen as a strategic match to end the Wars of the Roses. In December 1483, Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry Tudor, agreed to the marriage of Elizabeth of York and Henry Tudor that was realised in January 1486. This marriage would unite the warring York and Lannister families and was symbolised by the Tudor Rose.

Elizabeth of York became Queen

Elizabeth of York's brothers, King Edward V and Prince Richard, were last seen housed in the Tower of London in late 1483 and were presumed dead, just as the youngest Stark boys, Bran and Rickon were when Theon Greyjoy falsely displayed two charred farm boys as the Starks.

Jon Snow, like Richard, Duke of Gloucester, fought in the North

Ned Stark's bastard son, Jon Snow, played by Kit Harrington became a Man of the Night's Watch and defended The Wall against the Wildlings. Richard, Duke of Gloucester was named Lieutenant-General of the North in 1480 by his brother, Edward IV. Richard raged war against the Scots and recaptured Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1482.

HOUSE LANNISTER/LANCASTER

House of Lancaster originated from the descendants of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and ruled England for over 60 years. 

Henry V was the most famous Lancastrian king, showing warrior-like qualities in defeating the French at Agincourt and Jaime Lannister, played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, was known as the greatest swordsman in Westeros. Jaime's illegitmate son, Joffrey, would take the throne under the guise of King Robert's son and would show signs of madness as did Henry VI. 

Jaime Lannister and Henry V showed their prowess with a sword

Henry VI's first mental breakdown coincided with the birth of his only son, Edward of Westminster, who shares similarities with King Joffrey (played by Jack Gleeson) who took pleasure in meeting out justice to his captors. 

The sadistic King Joffrey 

Prince Edward was exposed to cruelty from an early age when the five-year-old boy witnessed the Lancastrian victory at the Second Battle of St. Albans. Margaret of Anjou asked her young son how the two York knights held captive should be killed and the prince requested death by decapitation, an order repeated by King Joffrey for Ned Stark.

Prince Edward was aged five when he passed judgement of execution

Margaret of Anjou looked to reaffirm her son's birthright by aligning with the Earl of Warwick who betrothed his daughter, Anne Neville, to Prince Edward. 

The "Kingmaker" Earl of Warwick

The Earl of Warwick was known as the Kingmaker for his decisive military and political actions whose lands and titles gave him vast wealth and served as inspiration for the Lannister patriach, Tywin Lannister, played by Charles Dance. 

Tywin Lannister

Tywin was also the richest man in the land and served twice as Hand of the King, betrothed his daughter to King Robert and saw his two grandsons sit on the Iron Throne. Tywin, like Warwick, looked to affirm his power by negotiating favourable marriages and he betrothed Cersei once again and his two grandsons to the powerful Tyrells. Joffrey's marriage to Margaery Tyrell didn't last a day after he was poisoned at the wedding feast and Prince Edward would also die young at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

Joffrey's mother, Cersei Lannister, played by Lena Headey, draws inspiration from Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville. Cersei would act as Queen Regent during Joffrey's minority and looked to wield power but was unable to control her son.

Queen Cersei divided many in King's Landing

Margaret of Anjou had several admirers at court, the biggest being the 2nd Duke of Somerset. Somerset had negotiated the royal marriage and carried the young queen-to-be ashore when she arrived in England. Queen Margaret returned this by awarding Somerset several titles and intervened numerous times when others called for Somerset's arrest. Many wondered whether Prince Edward was a result of an adulterous liaison between the queen and Somerset, a relationship that somewhat resembles the Lannister twins of Cersei and Jaime.

Margaret of Anjou's favourtism resembled Cersei's

This incestuous relationship bore illegitimate children which were revealed as such by Ned Stark and, more publicly, by Stannis Baratheon. Elizabeth Woodville would also see her children declared bastards after an Act of Accord in 1483 ruled that Edward IV was betrothed to another when Woodville married the king.

HOUSE BARATHEON/LATER YORK

King Robert Baratheon, like Edward IV, had won a valiant war to claim the throne but times of peace allowed both kings to revel in royal luxuries. King Robert, played by Mark Addy, was over-bloated after years of excess food and drink and would die on an alcohol-fuelled hunting trip. Edward IV also led an unhealthy lifestyle towards the end of his reign and would fall fatally ill, possibly from pneumonia, in Spring of 1483.

Robert Baratheon resembled an older Edward IV

Robert's two younger brothers would each look to replace him but Renly Baratheon (played by Gethin Anthony) was killed by his brother Stannis whilst George, Duke of Clarence, was executed for treason before Edward IV died.

Renly Baratheon wanted the throne as did George, Duke of Clarence

Ned Stark had informed Stannis Baratheon (played by Stephen Dillane) of the true identity of Cersei's children and Stannis publicly declared them bastards following Ned Stark's execution. 

Stannis Baratheon publicly declared his nephews & niece as bastards

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, did the same when he discovered the illegitimacy of Edward IV's sons and would become King Richard III. Both Stannis and Richard III were known for their duty and believed in just law, they would also share a sickly child with Richard's son Prince Edward dying aged 10.

Richard III took the throne after declaring his nephew a bastard

Stannis looked to support the Men of the Night's Watch cause but arrived a day afterward the Battle of the Castle Black. He continues to pursue the Iron Throne but it remains to be seen whether he'll be successful.

HOUSE TARGARYEN/LANCASTER & TUDOR

The final Targaryen king was Aerys II, known as the Mad King, and the final Lancastrian king Henry VI would also show mental frailties. Aegon II was promoted to the Iron Throne by his mother Queen Alicent Hightower much like how Margaret Beaufort encouraged her son, Henry Tudor, to the English throne, to become Henry VII.

Henry VII provided inspiration for at least two Targaryens

Henry VII had been sent into exile during Edward IV's reign - as had Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke). Daenerys was the daughter of Aerys II and fled to Essos with her brother Viserys and the Mother of Dragons is currently planning a return to Westeros with her dragons to claim the Iron Throne.

The exiled 'Mother of Dragons' Daenerys Targaryen

Henry Tudor was descended from the Welsh Tudor family and he flew the Welsh Dragon on his banners when he successfully won the crown by defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. This would then usher in the Tudor dynasty that ruled England for over 100 years.

HOUSES TULLY & TYRELL/NEVILLE

In order to successfully claim the throne you need support from lesser families. The Neville family descended from the Beauforts of John of Gaunt were originally sympathetic to the Lancastrian cause. Ralph Neville betrothed his nine-year-old daughter, Cecily Neviile to the Duke of York, similar to Catelyn Tully's betrothal to Ned Stark. 

Cecily's brother, Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, would later fight alongside York and his valour was similar to that shown by Catelyn's uncle Bryden Tully (played by Clive Russell).

Bryden 'Blackfish' Tully resembled the Earl of Salisbury

Salisbury's son, the Earl of Warwick, would also look to betroth his children in order to affirm his power. His eldest daughter, Isabel, was married to George, Duke of Clarence, as part of Warwick's original plan to overthrow Edward IV but this provided to be futile. Warwick would then use his other daughter, Anne, in a marriage with Lancastrian Prince Edward, in a second attempt to overthrow Edward IV.

Anne Neville would go from a Lancastrian Princess to a Yorkist Queen when Anne later married Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and became Queen Consort when Richard became king in 1483.

Anne Neville would be Princess and later Queen

Margaery Tyrell (played by Natalie Dormer) would also rise to power and told Littlefinger that she wants to be "THE queen" and not just a queen after the death of her betrothed Renly. 

Margaery Tyrell has aligned herself with two kings and one pretender

The Tyrells soon joined Tywin Lannister in fighting back Stannis' attack on King's Landing at the Battle of Backwater Bay and were rewarded by having Margaery betrothed to King Joffrey. Not to be deterred by Joffrey's death (engineered by Margaery's grandmother) Margaery would set her sights on the next king, Tommen Baratheon.

SIGILS & MOTTOS

Heraldry rose in prominence during the Middle Ages where soldiers could identify friend or foe on the battlefield. This soon developed into coats of arms where family lineage and personal emblems were displayed. Unlike the family sigils of Westeros, medieval banners would contain different emblems amongst family members. 

Whilst the Starks fought below Direwolf banners, the Yorkists flew under the Falcon and Fetterlock of the Duke of York, the Sunne in Splendour of Edward IV, the Black Bull of Duke of Clarence and the White Boar of Richard III. The White Rose of York was used early on during the so-called Wars of the Roses whilst the Red Rose of Lancaster was only used towards the end of the conflict with the banner of the  Welsh Red Dragon being flown by Henry Tudor's men.

The York symbols White Rose and Falcon & Fetterlock

Each family in Westeros has it's own motto such as Stark's "Winter Is Coming" or Lannister's "Hear Me Roar!" Mottos were usually reserved for English royalty and usually invoked fealty and loyalty with Edward IV's "Comfort and Joy", Richard III's "Loyalty Binds Me" and Henry VI's "God And My Right."  

Profile - Edmund Plantagenet, Earl of Rutland 1443-1460

Edmund Plantagenent, Earl of Rutland, was second son to Richard, Duke of York, who fought alongside his father at the Battle of Wakefield.

BOY CHANCELLOR

Rutland was born in Rouen, France, in 17 May 1443 as the fifth child and second surviving son of the Duke of York and Cecily Neville. Edmund was granted the Earldom in 1446 and was tutored by Richard Croft at Ludlow Castle, his father's Shropshire estate. York showed his love to his eldest sons, Edward, Earl of March, and Rutland, by giving them green gowns as Easter gifts in 1454 despite York being busy at court becoming Protector of the Realm that spring.

York held the title Lieutenant of Ireland and appointed Rutland as Lord Chancellor of Ireland when his son was just eight-year-old. With Rutland underage, governing Ireland's coffers was tasked to Deputy Chancellors Edmund Oldhall, brother to York's Chamberlain, and then John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury. 

Following defeat at the Battle of Ludford Bridge on 12 October 1459, York took Rutland to Ireland via Devon and Wales, whilst leaving his wife and young children, Margaret, George and Richard, to the might of the royal army. The 16-year-old Rutland was able to study his father command order and respect in Ireland but soon discovered their stay in exile wouldn't last long after York discussed return plans with his nephew, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, at Waterford in spring 1460.

York and Rutland returned from Ireland on 8 September 1460, landing in north Wales, and traveled to Ludlow and Hereford. It was at Hereford where Rutland met up with his mother and younger siblings but he followed his father's march south to London. York's march was signaled with the flying of the royal standard as if it was his own and York proclaimed his right to the throne by placing a hand upon it on 10 October 1460.

York's actions were derisive and alienated his supporters including Warwick and his father, Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury. An incensed Warwick challenged York in the pretender's Westminster apartments but a brave and loyal Rutland came to his father's defence by saying to Warwick, "Fair Sir, be not angry, for you know that we have the true right to the crown, and that my lord and father must have it."   

Rutland clashed with the Earl of Warwick following York's public claim to the throne

Rutland's older brother Edward, who had escaped Ludford Bridge to Calais with Warwick, looked to calm the atmosphere by saying to Rutland, "Brother, vex no man, for all shall be well." Edward left the apartments with Warwick and Rutland stayed by his father's side. Later that month, Parliament passed an Act of Accord that decreed York and his heirs would inherit the throne after Henry VI, despite the fact that the king had a son, Prince Edward of Westminster.

Rutland accompanied his father's march north from London on 9 December 1460 after York and Salisbury's northern estates had been looted by Lancastrian forces. After a skirmish with the troops of Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, at Worksop, Nottinghamshire, York's army reached Sandal Castle near Wakefield on 21 December 1460.

BATTLE

The Battle of Wakefield on 30 December 1460 saw York lead his men out of Sandal Castle in search for a foraging party who had earlier left under the  apparent safety of a Christmas truce. The Lancastrian forces were led by Somerset, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and Lord John Clifford, whose fathers had all died at First Battle of St. Albans five years previously.

York was ambushed on Wakefield Green and commanded his son to flee the battle to meet up with his brother, Edward, who was building up reinforcements in the Welsh marches. Under protest, Rutland left the battlefield and made it as far as Wakefield Bridge before he was captured. Clifford met his captive on the bridge and was urged by Rutland's tutor, priest Robert Aspell to ransom Rutland, "for he is the Prince's son, and peradventure may do you good hereafter." Clifford replied in anger, "By God’s blood, thy father slew mine and so will I do thee and thy kin,” before stabbing Rutland to death.

Rutland begs Sir John Clifford for mercy

The decapitated head of Rutland would soon join the heads of his father and uncle on spikes atop of Micklegate Bar in York. The bodies of Rutland and York were hastily buried in Pontefract Priory until Edward, now King Edward IV, reinterred them in the family vault at Fotheringhay Castle on 30 January 1466.

Profile - Margaret of Anjou Part 2 1453-1460

Margaret of Anjou was reputably the most powerful woman in 15th Century England by ruling through her passive husband, Henry VI. 

GRIEF, JOY, DESPAIR

The year 1453 was a turbulent one for Margaret of Anjou. On 28 February, Margaret's mother died and a pregnant Margaret grieved over the death of the influential Isabella, Duchess of Lorraine, through the first half of the year. This grief turned to joy when Margaret gave birth to Prince Edward of Westminster on 13 October but Henry VI didn't join in the celebrations.

Henry VI's domain over France was reduced to just Calais following the heavy defeat at the Battle of Castillon on 17 July 1453 and the king descended into a mental breakdown. Charles VI of France was known for his bouts of insanity and his grandson, Henry VI, showed signs of schizophrenia as paranoid hallucinations plagued him in late 1453.

Prince Edward of Westminster

Margaret tried to protect Henry VI by removing him to Windsor but the queen couldn't keep her husband's malaise secret when Henry VI wouldn't acknowledge his new-born son. The Great Council named Richard Duke of York Protector of the Realm and Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset, was placed in the Tower of London. The queen and her prince retired to Greenwich Palace until Henry VI regained his senses at Christmas 1454. York relinquished being Protector and Somerset was reinstated as Captain of Calais. 

Orders were sent to convene a Great Council meeting for 21 May 1455 in Leicester, away from York's London supporters, and York saw this as an opportunity for the royal forces to arrest him. York, and his commanders, the Neville-father and son, Earl of Salisbury and Earl of Warwick, gathered troops and marched south to meet the royal forces before they reached Leicester.

Margaret stayed with her son in Greenwich and was dismayed to hear of York's swift victory at First Battle of St. Albans that left Somerset dead and her husband captured. York named himself Constable of England and Protector of the Realm once again when Henry VI had a mental relapse under York's watch.

The king recovered in February 1456 and Henry VI now accepted York's influence at court. Margaret was less accommodating to York and convinced Henry VI to move court to her heartland of Coventry. The royal couple went around the country to display their unity and prince but discontent was rumbling in the north between the feuding Neville and Percy families.

Henry VI tried to nullify the discord and peace talks in 1458 culminated on 25 March in the Loveday celebrations when the king proudly led former enemies out of St. Paul's Cathedral in amicable pairs. Behind the king followed Margaret arm-in-arm with the Duke of York and the queen wasn't ready to end her hostilities with York just yet. 

ANTAGONISER

The Earl of Warwick had since replaced the deceased Somerset as Captain of Calais and the queen looked to antagonise Warwick by supporting French raids on the English south coast and later unsuccessfully charged Warwick with piracy.

York decided to move on the royal forces and gathered with Warwick and Salisbury a Battle of Ludford Bridge in September 1459. Salisbury had earlier beaten Margaret's forces at Battle of Blore Heath but talk of royal pardons to those who would defect to the king spread throughout York's camp. Warwick's 600 men from Calais, led by Anthony Trollope, changed sides on the eve of battle and the Yorkist commanders fled into exile.

Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers and husband to Jacquetta of Luxembourg

York took his second eldest son, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, to Ireland whilst Warwick and Salisbury made their way to Calais with York's eldest son, Edward, Earl of March. Warwick still had a ship moored in Sandwich on the English south-east coast and Margaret sent the husband of long-time friend, Jacquetta of Luxembourg, to commandeer the vessel. This expedition would soon backfire when Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers, and his son, Anthony, arrived at Sandwich to take the ship but were taken prisoner. Warwick, Salisbury and March each ridiculed their captives in Calais, with Warwick berating Earl Rivers for being a son of a squire who had married himself into the nobility.

Warwick, Salisbury and March returned to England in June 1460 and met the royal forces at the Battle of Northampton on 10 July 1460. Margaret and Prince Edward stayed within the Northampton city walls whilst Henry VI stayed in his royal tent behind the Lancastrian front line. This front-line was soon breached due to Warwick and March bribing a key Lancastrian general, Lord Grey of Ruthin, and the king's troops quickly fled. Henry VI's tent was guarded by his lieutenants who died protecting the king.

Warwick and March greeted Henry VI and escorted him back to London. The queen and prince quickly fled north-west to Cheshire and later Wales. York arrived in England on 9 September to claim the English throne for himself but was balked by those on the council loyal to the royal couple.

DISINHERITED

York was able to have an Act of Accord passed that disinherited Prince Edward and recognised York, and his subsequent heirs, as successors to Henry VI's throne. Henry VI was still King of England but York was named Protector of the Realm once again.

James III of Scotland, potential ally to Margaret of Anjou 

Margaret and her disinherited son journeyed from Wales to Scotland and met with the new Scottish King, James III, to gain support. The border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed was offered up by Margaret in exchange for James III's support. Forces loyal to the royal couple grew south of the Scottish border and York marched north from London on 9 December 1460 to meet them. The two forces clashed at the Battle of Wakefield on 30 December 1460 which saw the deaths of York, Rutland and Salisbury. 

Margaret was overjoyed to hear the death of her fiercest adversary and how his claim to the throne was ridiculed with a paper crown adorning York's decapitated head on a spike overlooking the city of York.

Battle of Northampton 1460

Battle of Northampton as depicted by Matthew Ryan

After nine months in exile, Yorkist commanders Earl of Warwick and Edward, Earl of March, led their forces to victory in the Battle of Northampton on 10 July 1460.

 BACKGROUND

After fleeing the Battle of Ludford Bridge, Yorkist commanders Duke of York, Earl of Salisbury and Earl of Warwick were able to consolidate in exile despite having their lands and titles forfeited in an act of attainder. 

The Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Earl of Rutland, was able to learn more about his office when he accompanied his father, Duke of York, to Ireland. The Irish welcomed York and he peacefully received Warwick in March 1460 in order to plan their return to England.

Warwick had enjoyed exile in Calais and was accompanied by his father, Earl of Salisbury, and York's eldest son Edward, Earl of March. Henry VI had previously replaced Warwick as Captain of Calais with Henry Beaufort, 3rd Duke of Somerset, but Calais rallied behind Warwick and denied Somerset entry into the city. 

Somerset eventually made landfall at Guisnes and appointed Andrew Trollope the town's bailiff. This appointment was mainly due to Trollope's knowledge of the area before he betrayed Warwick at Ludford. Somerset had several skirmishes with Warwick's men but his presence in France was more of an irritant than a threat to Warwick.

Warwick still had a ship moored at a dock in Sandwich on the English south coast and Margaret of Anjou sent the husband of long-time friend, Jacquetta of Luxembourg, to commandeer the vessel. Richard Woodville, who was now Earl Rivers, and his son, Anthony, arrived at Sandwich but were later taken prisoner by Warwick's men and taken across the English Channel to answer to Warwick. Warwick, Salisbury and March each ridiculed their captives, with Warwick berating Earl Rivers for being a son of a squire who had married himself into the nobility to become a lord.  

Sandwich was to be the location of the return of Warwick, Salisbury and March to England on 26 June 1460. The three commanders gathered support in the south-east and Salisbury stayed behind to garrison the Tower of London. Warwick and March marched further north and their forces of 10,000 men met the royal forces at Northampton. 

BATTLE

Northampton battlefield map

The royal forces took up a defensive position in the grounds of Delapré Abbey behind a water-filled ditch topped with spikes, and in front of the River Nene near Northampton. 

Warwick had previously sent three emissaries to present the Yorkist grievances to the king but were denied by Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham sent word back that "The Earl of Warwick shall not come to the King's presence and if he comes he shall die." Upon arriving at Northampton, Warwick replied to Buckingham with the message that "at 2 o'clock I will speak with the King or I will die."

Warwick's army was twice the size of the Lancastrians and the Yorkists advanced at 2 o'clock into hard wind and rain. They were met with a fierce hail of Lancastrian arrows but the rain had made the royal artillery near useless. March took the vanguard up to the ditch guarding the Lancastrian right flank and his men were pleased to see Lord Grey of Ruthin offer a helping hand over the defences. 

Ruthin had personal gain from his treachery as March had previously agreed to support Lord Grey in a land dispute with Lord Fanhope.  The battle lasted just half an hour once the Yorkists were behind the Lancastrian front lines as the royal troops fled the king's defence. Henry VI had remained in his tent behind the frontline and his four lieutenants of Buckingham, Earl of Shrewsbury, Lord Egremont and Lord Beaumont, all died trying to stop the Yorkist approach to the royal tent.

A victorious Warwick kneels to Henry VI as depicted by Graham Turner

WIth the death of the despised royal councillors, Warwick and March respectfully greeted Henry VI, swore their loyalty to the crown and escorted the king to London. 

York now readied a return to England to claim the English throne for himself.

Battle of Ludford Bridge 1459

Ludford Bridge

Henry VI's Lancastrian army had their first victory of the Wars of the Roses with a bloodless battle at Ludford Bridge on 12 October 1459.

Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, victorious at the Battle of Blore Heath, linked up with his son, Earl of Warwick, and the Duke of York at Worcester on 10 October, 1459. The Yorkist commanders sent word to Henry VI that they had sworn an oath of loyalty to the king but decried the "evil councillors" surrounding him. The king responded by saying he would issue pardons to those who would join him within six days.

York retreated towards Ludlow and took up a fortified position near Ludford, Shropshire, by excavating a ditch on the opposite side of the River Teme from Ludlow and aimed cannons on Ludford.

Henry VI's presence at Ludford unsettled Warwick's contingency of 600 men from the Calais garrison who were unwilling to fight against their king. Word spread through the camp of the king's renewed wish for royal pardons for those who joined him and the Calais commander, Andrew Trollope, changed allegiances.

York reviewed the need to fight as he was severely outnumbered five to one with the royal forces totaling 30,000 men compared to York's 5,000. Under the cover of darkness, the Yorkist commanders abandoned their army and fled. York took his second son, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, to Ireland whilst Warwick, Salisbury and York's eldest son, Edward, Earl of March, fled to Calais.

Ludlow Market depicted by Louise Raynor

At dawn the next day the leaderless Yorkist troops knelt in submission before Henry VI and were pardoned. York left behind his wife Cecily, his two younger sons, George and Richard, and his youngest daughter, Margaret. The Duchess of York and her young children were found standing at Ludlow Market Cross and were placed in the care of Cecily's sister, Anne. Anne was married to Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham, and Buckingham kept Margaret of Anjou updated on the Nevilles' well-being. 

The Yorkist commanders may have been in exile but both York and Warwick were able to build on the military and financial support of Ireland and Calais. The royal couple responded in December 1459 by forfeiting York's, Salisbury's and Warwick's lands, titles and inheritance in an act of attainder. The Yorkist commanders would return to England in 1460 to reclaim their titles and power from the crown.

Profile - Richard Duke of York. Part 3 1456-1460

Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, was arguably one of the most influential figures in 15th Century England.

UNDER SUSPICION

In August 1456, the Queen of England, Margaret of Anjou, persuaded her husband, King Henry VI, to move the royal court to her heartland of Coventry. Margaret of Anjou was suspicious of Richard Duke of York due to him threatening the succession of her son, negotiating the possible marriage of his son Edward into the rival Burgundian family and was a key supporter of the Neville family. The Neville/Percy feud in the north was disturbing the peace and the king looked to reconcile the families through peace talks which culminated in Loveday summit on 24 March 1458.

Margaret of Anjou

Later that year, the queen unsuccessfully tried to convict Warwick of piracy in the English Channel and the invitation to attend the Great Council in Coventry in June 1459 was seen by York, Salisbury and Warwick as a ruse to arrest them. The three men rallied their troops and met at Worcester after Salisbury's advance was slowed in the Battle of Blore Heath.

York tried to move his men south on 11 October 1459 but was forced to head to Ludlow and met the king's troops in Ludford, Shropshire. The Battle of Ludford Bridge on 12 October 1459 saw Warwick's men from Calais refuse to fight against the king. 

RETREAT

York, Salisbury and Warwick left the battlefield field for what appeared a night at Ludlow but they never returned and abandoned their troops. York, with his second son Edmund, Earl of Rutland, fled to Ireland via Wales. Salisbury, Warwick and York's eldest son Edward, Earl of March, fled to Calais.

Ludford Bridge

The leaderless Yorkist troops knelt in submission before Henry VI at dawn the next day and were pardoned. York had left behind not only his troops but his wife Cecily, his two younger sons, George and Richard, and his youngest daughter Margaret. The Duchess of York and her young children were found standing at the Ludlow Market Cross and were placed in the care of Cecily's sister Anne, the wife of Margaret of Anjou supporter, Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham. 

York and Warwick were able to build on the military and financial support of Ireland and Calais and the royal couple responded by forfeiting York's, Salisbury's and Warwick's lands, titles and inheritance in an act of attainder in December 1459. 

York was in the same position as Henry Bolingbroke 60 years earlier and planned for an invasion. Warwick, Salisbury and Edward landed in Sandwich, England on 26 June 1460. The men of Kent rose to join them and London opened its gates to York's commanders on 2 July. Their growing army marched north into the Midlands, and defeated the royal forces at the Battle of Northampton on 10 July. Henry was once again captured by the Nevilles and taken back to London. 

CLAIMANT

York arrived in England on 9 September to take the throne. He marched to London under the banner of his great-great-grandfather Lionel of Antwerp, third son of Edward III, and displayed the Coat of Arms of England as he approached the capital.

York arrived in London on 10 October and took residence in the royal palace. Entering Parliament with his sword raised above him, York made for the empty throne and placed his hand upon it. York expected the assembled peers to acclaim him as King but they remained silent. Thomas Bourchier, the Archbishop of Canterbury, asked whether York wished to see the King and he replied, "I know of no person in this realm that owes not to wait on me, rather than I of him." This high-handed reply did not impress the court.

York advanced his claim to the crown by hereditary right the next day but his narrow support among his peers let him down. The best that York could achieve after weeks of negotiation was the Act of Accord. This recognised York and his heirs as Henry's successors and York was once again made Protector of the Realm on 31 October 1460.

Lancastrian forces began to build in the north and Margaret of Anjou met with the new Scottish King, James III, to gain his support. York reacted by moving north with Salisbury and Rutland on December 9. They would meet the Lancastrian army, and their deaths, three weeks later at the Battle of Wakefield. 

The decapitated heads of York, Salisbury and Rutland were put on spikes on top of Micklegate Bar in York. York suffered the indignity of the Lancastrians by having a paper crown put upon his head with a sign hanging from his spike stating: "Let York overlook the town of York."

Duke of York and his paper crown

York's remains were buried in Pontefract but were later moved to Church of St Mary and All Saints in Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire.

Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, was never able to sit upon the throne but his cause was quickly taken up by his son who would be crowned Edward IV a few months later. York would have been proclaimed King Richard III if he had ruled England and this title was taken up by his son, and namesake, in 1483.

Battle of Wakefield 1460

The Battle of Wakefield, on December 30 1460, was a pivotal clash in the Wars of the Roses that resulted in the deaths of key Yorkist commanders and serves as the opening for Loyalty Binds Me.

BACKGROUND

Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, family patriarch and Lord Protector of England, moved north from London on December 9th 1460 to counter the growing Lancastrian forces. York was joined by his son, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, and his brother-in-law, Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury. London was guarded by Salisbury's son, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, and York's eldest son, Edward, Earl of March, was dispatched to Wales to quell Lancastrian support.

York's progress north was slowed by widespread flooding and this allowed the Lancastrians forces to grow in the north. The northern Lancastrian army were led by Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, Lord John Clifford and Lord Thomas Ros. Reinforcements came from the West Country with men commanded by Henry Beauford, Duke of Somerset, and Thomas Courtenay, Earl of Devon, to amass an army of over 15,000 men gathered around Kingston-upon-Hull. A substantial amount encamped at Pontefract and began pillaging York's and Salisbury's nearby estates. Northumberland, Clifford and Somerset were ready to exact revenge on those who had killed their fathers five years previously at the First Battle of St. Albans.

York's force of 8,000 men arrived in Wakefield on 21 December after earlier skirmishes in Nottinghamshire. The gates of Wakefield were closed to York and he took residence nearby at Sandal Castle. The Lancastrian army encircled the castle and a Christmas truce was agreed upon with a battle commencing on the Feast of Epiphany, January 6. York sent word to his son in Wales to bring reinforcements, whilst his men at Sandal Castle grew hungry after depleting their provisions over Christmas. York decided to send out a foraging party on December 30 to get more provisions but they never returned.  

BATTLE

York took his men down from Sandal Castle later that day and were soon ambushed on Wakefield Green. As York engaged the Lancastrians to his front, others attacked him from the flank and rear, cutting him off from the castle and the scene was later described by Edward Hall “like a fish in a net, or a deer in a buckstall; so that he manfully fighting was within half an hour slain and dead, and his whole army discomforted."

Ruins of Sandal Castle

York's army was surrounded and destroyed with the dead numbering 2,500 Yorkist and 200 Lancastrians. York was killed in the battle but instructed his son to flee to Wales before dying. Rutland was soon captured and killed on Wakefield Bridge. Clifford cried out “By God’s blood, thy father slew mine and so will I do thee and thy kin” as he stabbed Rutland to death.

Salisbury, whose son Sir Thomas Neville died in battle, escaped the battlefield but was captured during the night, and was taken to the Lancastrian camp. Although the Lancastrian nobles had been prepared for Salisbury to ransom himself, he was dragged out of Pontefract Castle and beheaded by local commoners who felt animosity towards their former harsh overlord.

The heads of York, Rutland and Salisbury were later put on spikes on Micklegate Bar, the western gate into the city of York. The Duke of York was ridiculed with a a paper crown on his head and a sign around his spike that stated "Let York overlook the town of York."

Wakefield brought the end of York's claim to the throne but this was quickly taken up by his son, and future King, Edward VI. Wakefield set a grisly precedent in that after every following battle in the Wars of the Roses, the victorious side would eliminate any opposing leaders, making the struggle more bitter and revenge driven.