Category: The Commons in the Wars of the Roses

The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Medieval, Military history

John, Lord Clifford, ‘the butcher’ and the killing of Edmund, earl of Rutland, at the battle of Wakefield, 30 December 1460

In the 15th Century, the killing of rival faction leaders were commonplace, especially throughout the Wars of the Roses. However, as Dr Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project investigates, one Lancastrian commander in particular garnered a reputation for brutality, going above the limits of accepted violence… The Wars of the Roses, to state the obvious, were a series of battles, but they are equally … Continue reading John, Lord Clifford, ‘the butcher’ and the killing of Edmund, earl of Rutland, at the battle of Wakefield, 30 December 1460

Simon Payling1 Comment
The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Elections, Medieval

Parliamentary Elections in the Fifteenth Century

As the UK prepares to go to the polls for the 2024 General Election, modern politicians continue their campaigns across the nation, in an attempt to persuade electors to vote for them on July 4. However, for much of the middle ages, parliamentary elections saw no voting take place at all! Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our House of Commons 1461-1504 project, explains some of … Continue reading Parliamentary Elections in the Fifteenth Century

Hannes KleinekeLeave a comment
The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 14th Century history, 15th Century History, Henry IV, Medieval, Women and Parliament

A King’s Sister buried in a Shropshire church: Elizabeth of Lancaster, sister of Henry IV, at Burford

For Women’s History Month, Dr Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project discusses the life of Elizabeth Lancaster, the sister of Henry IV, who demonstrated a degree of independence unusual for an aristocratic woman. It is surprising to find the sister of a King buried in a remote Shropshire church.  Henry IV’s sister, Elizabeth, in marked contrast to her elder sister, Philippa (d.1415), wife of King John I … Continue reading A King’s Sister buried in a Shropshire church: Elizabeth of Lancaster, sister of Henry IV, at Burford

Simon Payling2 Comments
The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Local History, Medieval

The Tomb of Sir Richard and Eleanor Croft in Croft Church, Herefordshire

Sir Richard Croft’s career spanned the entirety of the Wars of the Roses; he was able to adapt and maintain his prominence under each new political rule. Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project takes a look at his remarkable career and his commemoration in Croft Church. The tomb of Sir Richard Croft, MP for Herefordshire in the Parliament of 1478, and his wife, Eleanor, dominates the small church … Continue reading The Tomb of Sir Richard and Eleanor Croft in Croft Church, Herefordshire

Simon PaylingLeave a comment
The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Henry VII, History of Parliament Trust, Legal history, Medieval, Religious history, Richard III

A last roll of the dice? Richard III’s pardon to John Morton, 16 August 1485

On 16 August 1485, King Richard III issued a pardon to an old adversary, John Morton, bishop of Ely. Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our Commons 1461-1504 project, explores the issue that Morton posed to Richard and why he felt the need to offer Morton such an elaborate pardon. On 9 August 1485 Henry Tudor, titular earl of Richmond, landed on the Welsh coast near Milford Haven … Continue reading A last roll of the dice? Richard III’s pardon to John Morton, 16 August 1485

Hannes KleinekeLeave a comment
The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Henry VI, Local History, Medieval, Military history

‘No deed of shame so foul’: the treachery of Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin, and the battle of Northampton, 10 July 1460

On 10 July 1460 the Battle of Northampton was fought. This was a major battle in the Wars of the Roses and saw the Yorkist army reverse their previous misfortune. Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project discusses this dramatic battle. The ‘Wars of the Roses’ were notable for their striking reversals of fortune, but perhaps none was so extreme as that which occurred between the rout of … Continue reading ‘No deed of shame so foul’: the treachery of Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin, and the battle of Northampton, 10 July 1460

Simon PaylingLeave a comment
Medieval, 15th Century History, Economic history, Edward IV, Henry VI, Military history, The Commons in the Wars of the Roses

Funding the defence of the realm (or not…)

As questions of defence spending continue to be discussed in the chambers of Westminster, here Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our Commons 1461-1504 project, looks into 15th century attempts to secure more money for this purpose, to varying degrees of success… The story of the rise of the English Parliament is inextricably interwoven with the Crown’s acceptance in the 13th century that it should not … Continue reading Funding the defence of the realm (or not…)

Hannes KleinekeLeave a comment
Medieval, 14th Century history, 15th Century History, Edward II, The Commons in the Wars of the Roses

Parliament and the Politics of intimidation in Medieval England

As some of our previous blogs demonstrate, Medieval parliamentarians were no stranger to acts of physical violence. However as Dr Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project suggests, sometimes the mere threat was enough to influence political change… It is a central tenet of parliamentary history that the political complexion of a Parliament was determined by its membership, particularly that of its fluctuating electoral element, … Continue reading Parliament and the Politics of intimidation in Medieval England

Simon PaylingLeave a comment
The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Medieval

Parliament and the removal of a political leader: a fifteenth-century example

Despite Westminster’s image as the home of Parliament, throughout our project there are many examples of members gathering in other locations. On 10 February 1447 Parliament met away from London, in Bury St Edmunds, with a particular purpose in mind, as Dr Charles Moreton from our Commons 1461-1504 section explains… The Parliament of 1447, which assembled on 10 February 1447, is noteworthy for its brevity, … Continue reading Parliament and the removal of a political leader: a fifteenth-century example

History of ParliamentLeave a comment
The Commons in the Wars of the Roses, 15th Century History, Edward IV, Medieval, Parliamentary Life

‘Make good your ways and your habits’: Edward IV’s first Parliament of 1461-2

During the winter of 1461, Edward IV’s first Parliament began. Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our Commons 1461-1504 project explores the priorities of the session… On Wednesday, 4 November 1461, Edward IV’s first Parliament opened at Westminster. It was an assembly designed to set a seal on the change of dynasty that had been foreshadowed in the accord reached in the previous Parliament a year … Continue reading ‘Make good your ways and your habits’: Edward IV’s first Parliament of 1461-2

Hannes Kleineke2 Comments