Buckingham Rebellion pt 1

King Richard III

IV

We would most gladly ye came yourself if that ye may, and if ye may not, we pray you not to fail, but to accomplish in all diligence our said commandment, to send our Seal incontinent upon the sight hereof, as we trust you, with such as ye trust and the Officers pertaining to attend with it praying you to ascertain us of your News.
‘Here, loved be God, all is well and truly determined for to resist the malice of him that had best cause to be true, the duke of Buckingham, the most untrue creature living; whom, with god’s grace, we shall not be long till that we will be in that parts and subdue his malice. We assure you there never was falser traitor purveyed for…’
Buckingham had been busy, while Richard was on his progress. John Morton, the bishop of Ely had been hatching ideas in Buckingham’s head saying that the king of England belongs to the house of Lancaster and Buckingham bloodline and his family was legitimate and Lancasterian. The wry bishop had had persuaded to organised a revolt and told him that France and Brittany would help him to the throne.
People that realised his importance easily charmed the Duke of Buckingham and when people from the Lancasterian cause had told him that he was the rightful claim to the throne. His father and family had always fought against the Yorkist cause and the bishop of Ely was only too happy to point this out to Buckingham. John Morton Bishop of Ely had been house arrest under the Duke of Buckingham’s care since the execution of Lord Hastings. The two had become good friends as the bishop had told him stories about his family history and appealed to Buckingham’s sense of vanity and self-importance.
With a head full of plots and weird ideas the Duke of Buckingham went around the southern counties to spread stories about the disappearance of Elizabeth Woodvilles children from her sanctuary and king Richard was responsible for their disappearance. He had sent word to the Lancasterian faithful in Devonshire, which were the Courtenay’s, Bishop of Exeter he knew that he could whip up some trouble from that quarter. In Kent and Surrey, Richard Guildford, whose father had been a friend of the late Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers had assumed the leadership of the uprising. He had gathered the relatives of the Woodvilles, such as Sir John Fogge. In Berkshire, Sir Richard Woodville who also came out in support with William Stoner. The Duke of Buckingham had repented to them announcing that he was sorry about the support that had given Richard and he was very sorry for those actions. He begged to be allowed to be welcome to the family fold of the Woodvilles.
Stories had started to circulate that Richard had usurped the throne from the murdered prince, and had taken his nephew and nieces and that their lives were in danger. The stories got more exaggerated as they spread though the towns and villages. When they reached London most people seemed knew this not to be true as they had heard that the late kings children were taken good care of and they knew it was Hastings that had murdered the boy king Edward V. There is scant evidence of what really happened during this time as most of the evidence had been destroyed and the Croyland Chronicler only has a scant account of what had happened during the Buckingham Rebellion.
It seems that Polydore Vergil and Thomas More has written history when the Tudors were in power and had written after the events had happened. I seem think it was John Morton, Bishop of Ely that had persuaded the Duke of Buckingham to become a rebel when he was his captive as he was an shallow enough character to be fooled into such action. Buckingham’s character had been reported by More as His wisdom abused and pride to his own deliverance and the Duke’s destruction. It seems hardly unlikely that Buckingham’s sole reason for the head of the rebellion was caused by Richard refusing to give Buckingham the Bohun lands as Richard had already had given Buckingham before he went on his progress that summer. As to the shock of Richard had ordered the murder of the sons of the two sons of Edward IV. I find that hard to believe since when they found that the murder was Hastings and Buckingham was there when Hastings was found guilty and knew the other son was alive with his mother Elizabeth Woodville in sanctuary.
There was a story that Buckingham had met Margaret Beaufort and she persuaded that her son Henry Tudor had a better claim to the throne as he was descended from John of Gaunt. Margaret would have lost her argument, as it was his claim was illegitimate and Buckingham was proud and arrogant about the fact that he was a royal Duke. Margaret Beaufort had stayed in London while her husband had joined Richard on his progress and was probably weaving some intrigue of her own with Elizabeth Woodville. She would also be in contact with her son in Brittany and probably spinning her tales about Richard and that he had carried out orders to murder the son of Edward IV and Richard had usurped the throne. It also seemed that John Morton, the Bishop of Ely and Margaret Beaufort had been busy plotting together.
Was Buckingham trying to get the other son Richard of Edward IV as the next king of England and bring back the power of the Woodvilles? Its another theory as he had begged forgiveness in supporting Richard in becoming king, he wanted the Woodvilles to forgive wanted to be welcomed back to the family fold.
The only source that has any solid foundation about Buckingham’s rebellion is from the Croyland Chronicler, but it is somewhat a short summary. ‘At last, it was determined by the people in the vicinity of the city of London, throughout the counties of Kent, Essex, Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Berkshire, as well as some others of the southern counties of the Kingdom. To avenge their grievances before-stated, to rescue Edward’s sons from captivity; upon which, public proclamation was made, that Henry, Duke of Buckingham, who at this time was living at Brecknock in Wales, had repented of his former conduct. He and would be the chief mover in this attempt, while a rumour was spread that the sons of King Edward before-named had died a violent death, but it was uncertain how.
Whether Buckingham knew that his captor John Morton, Bishop of Ely was plotting for Henry Tudor to come over to England as soon as possible for the purpose of marrying Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of the late King and at the same time seize the throne. Nothing has been recorded about this and Buckingham may not of known about Margaret’s ulterior motives. It seems that the Bishop of Ely was plotting with Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth Woodville while Buckingham was spreading rumours about the prince’s death. Buckingham would not stand to gain anything if he was to help Margaret Beaufort’s son on the throne, as he had hardly known him. But he might have gone to the trouble of starting a rebellion had he been given the impression that the Bishop of Ely was helping him on the throne, by blackening Richard’s name he could get people to rally to his cause. The truth of the matter was that the late Kings children were staying at Sheriff Hutton in the care of the Earl of Lincoln safely away from people that would use them to their own agenda’s. It was highly unlikely that Buckingham had persuaded Richard to murder the princes for the safety of his throne. Richard had seen the Woodvilles naked ambition to rule though young King Edward, and when he was the protector he knew how vulnerable that prince was. He did not want that to happen to such a young child again, which was why the younger brother was sent with his family in Yorkshire far enough away from people with ulterior motives. It had been suggested that it was Buckingham that had murdered the two princes, as he was the Constable and he could have entry to the King Edward, but his other brother Richard was apart from Edward when he was murdered. According to records it seems that the fate of the princes had been entered about the same time as the Buckingham rebellion and the execution of Hastings it is unclear why he was beheaded. It seems that Vergil had mix up the whole story about what had happened, but then again the in the reign of Henry Tudor the Chroniclers had made history very confusing.
The Bishop of Ely may have been aware of Buckingham’s ambitious dreams nine years before when Buckingham was aged nineteen years. In 1474 had received permission to bear the coat of arms of Thomas of Woodstock, son of Edward III, As Edward III was his great-great-grandfather. Buckingham had always had made it clear that his lineage had no flaw unlike Margaret Beaufort and her son Henry Tudor. Henry IV had barred the Beaufort’s from claiming the throne as the children of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford. At the time of Hastings Execution, the Duke of Buckingham had requested the custody of the Bishop of Ely and his request was granted. Did the wry Bishop put ideas into his head about some cunning plan? The Bishop was known as a master plotter and had a very persuasive manner about himself.
Since Richard had come into power, Buckingham had risen to such dizzy heights, he had openly had boasted that he would have as many Stafford knot as ever did Warwick have ragged staves.
After rising to dizzying heights of power it seemed like Buckingham was looking at taking the crown for himself with the Woodvilles by his side. Buckingham had always been a schemer, but he was also a gambler and a reckless one at that. More had said that ‘I have heard of some that say they saw it, that when the crown was first set upon King Richard’s head, the Duke of Buckingham could not abide the sight but tried his head another way. It seems that Buckingham was prone in making decisions based on impulses and opportunities when given some flattery by John Morton, Bishop of Ely.
Having been successful getting Buckingham getting a rebellion start the Bishop had dispatched a messenger to Margaret Beaufort to tell her of Buckingham defection from Richard. Who Margaret Beaufort had sent a certain shrewd man called Reynold Bray to the Brecon estate telling the Bishop and Buckingham that there was already trouble brewing in the southern counties. It seemed at this time the Duke was kept in ignorance, as Bray and the Bishop had planned to put Henry Tudor on the throne and married to Edward IV eldest daughter. It seemed that Margaret Beaufort getting support from Elizabeth Woodville and she had promised her that her daughter would be married to her son, for invading the country and getting rid of King Richard and putting Elizabeth younger son on the throne. Margaret was also frequently in touch with her son, and exiles that were busy getting a fleet ready planned for an invasion. The Bishop and Bray had told Buckingham that Henry Tudor was going to help Buckingham onto the throne and Buckingham had openly backed Henry Tudor to invade in order for Buckingham to get the throne. This was why Buckingham had given his assent to join with Henry Tudor; the next person he had to crush was King Richard. As to the fate of Edward IV son Richard Margaret Beaufort was busy trying to find a way to remove him as threat from succession, but as he was in Yorkshire and proving to be out of reach with his family. The only way could they could remove all knowledge of him was to encourage rumours abroad, but it seemed harder to prove as during the summer of 1483 the boy that was a prince was publicly seen at a number of events in Yorkshire. It seemed that Elizabeth Woodville and Buckingham were being used to allow Margaret Beaufort to achieve her ambitions, but little did they know what Margaret and John Morton were really planning as they were the biggest schemers of them all.
Buckingham had started to assemble his men on his vast estates and every man that Buckingham could find, but not many seemed to think that Buckingham had a just cause to follow him. It was planned by early October that Henry Tudor would land would land on the south coast with a fleet that was supplied by the Duke of Brittany. On hearing this Buckingham had set forth in a South Eastern direction. It seemed that Richard had heard about Buckingham’s defection just before the end of August when he started to hear weird rumours, mutterings of revolts and mysterious disturbances. Richard had heard that Buckingham was the leader behind this rebellion when he was in Lincoln on the 11th of October. At the time he had no armed forces with him as many of the lords on councillors had gone back to their homes after the progress. At first Richard could not believe that Buckingham could do such a thing and seemed saddened that Buckingham was no better than the power hungry and greedy Woodvilles. As he was told that Buckingham had looked to take the crown for himself.
Within hours of learning about Buckingham’s defection, Richard had issued his first commands to the council at Westminster and sent all men at arms and to met at Leicester on 20th and the 21st of October. Messengers had been sent to lord’s manors to all corners of the realm telling everyone of Buckingham attempt of taking the throne for himself. On the 15th of October Richard had issued his first public proclamation in stating that Buckingham was a rebel and he bidden all his subjects to be ready to take up arm’s, but no one was to harm anyone’s property or injure anyone of the Duke’s followers. Richard was adamant that he wanted only the ringleaders captured and to show the kingdom that he was not going Buckingham’s men. The King was staying at the Angel Inn in Grantham, when he received the Great Seal on the 18th of October and Viscount Lovell had gone to Banbury to meet his men.
Richard was with the Earl of Northumberland and Thomas, Lord Stanley, Richard did not really trust either man as in the past they seemed to supported the Lancastrian causes in the past. Northumberland had proved to be difficult during the years when Richard was Lord of the North. The Late King Edward had to send Northumberland orders, as he would not obey Richard. The same could have been said about Stanley he spent most of the time in the camp that benifited him. Richard kept him under close eye as trouble and Stanley was always close at hand. Richard was reminded of Stanley’s wife, as he had heard about Henry Tudor that was playing a major role in the Buckingham rebellion.
On the 18th of October there were widespread insurrections had broken out in the Southern counties. Stanley’s son Lord Strange secretary had sent a letter to a relative that ‘People in this country be so troubled, in such commandment as they have in the King’s name and otherwise, marvellously, that they know not what to do. My Lord goeth forth from Latham upon Monday next with 10,000 men, whither we cannot say. The Duke of Buck: has so many men, as it is said here, that he is able to go where he will; but I trust he shall be right well withstand and all his malice: and else were great pity. Messengers cometh daily, both from the King’s grace and the Duke, into this country’. There was an element of bluffing about of men that were supporting Buckingham’s cause but it seems Lord Strange was sitting on the fence when he phased this letter. He seemed not behind Buckingham cause but he sounds very indecisive about eventually going to Richard’s side.
At last Richard had heard some good news from John Howard, Duke of Norfolk. The Duke had gone on a progress of his own through East Anglia to meet his new granted manors when he had heard that there had been some trouble in the Southern Counties. The Duke of Norfolk had returned to London 19th of September with a sizeable amount of people from his manors from East Anglia. The Duke of Norfolk had help the citizens of London prepare the defences of London. On the10th of October the Duke of Norfolk had heard of a rising in Kent and he quickly got into action. Messengers were riding back and forth with summons to arms by the chief men of East Anglia; one letter was addressed to John Paston and was delivered in haste.

Right well beloved friend, I commend me to you. It is that the Kentishmen be up in the Weald, and say that they will come and rob the city, which I shall let if I may.
Therefore I pray you that with all diligence ye make you ready and come hither, and bring with you six tall fellows in harness, and ye shall not lose your labour, that knoweth God, who have you in His keeping.

Norfolk was quick in protecting London, as he was busy advising the council at Westminster and helping the people of London prepare its defences against any riots. He had also a body of 100 men headed by Sir John Medellon and Sir John Norbery to hold the passage across the river Thames at Gravesend. The Duke of Norfolk over the days had gained much strength that he was able send more men to Reigate on 18th of October and when more forces from East Anglia the rebels had started to weaken. The Ringleaders, Sir John and Richard Guildford, Sir John Fogge, Sir George Brown, Sir Richard Haute, Sir Thomas Lewkenor and some other gentry were had decided to go back with their men at Guildford and had to abandon their attack on London and await for news in the West.
By this time Richard had reached Leicester and had an army of 300 men from York under the captaincy of his friend Thomas Wrangwysh. On 23rd of October Richard had drawn up a second proclamation as he had heard there was an attempt on Sheriff Hutton by the Marquess of Dorset in getting the late King Edward’s children but it was unsuccessful and they had to flee. Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset had taken a daring risk as he had heard that Richard was travelling south he throught that Sheriff Hutton would be easy to get his nephew away from Richard. People that lived locally had noticed strangers with assumed airs and graces from London that where heading towards the Castle. The Castle was alerted and Dorset and his men were forced to flee.
Richard had told his subjects at Leicester that, ‘at Mercy in giving unto all manner persons his Full and General Pardon, he had announced the treachery of the Marquess Dorset, Sir William Norris, Sir George Brown, Sir John Cheyney, and several others who had risen in the cause of ‘that great Rebel and Traitor the late Duke of Buckingham, and Bishops of Ely and Salisbury’.