187 Edward V

The reign of Edward V is one of the great controversies of English history. This episode is as uncontroversial - just what happened. Then in 2 weeks time - we have the big debate and prizes, at THoE Facebook Page. It all starts with the death of Edward IV on 9th April 1483. 

 

 

187 Edward V

 

The events of 1483, April to June 

Richard III is one of English History's great controversies. Despite his image as the king's right hand man, a fine upstanding example of loyalty and competence - was he really an ambitious schemer who saw a chance to be king? Or was he a man driven by fear and events? Or yet, was he a man who, faced with a disastrous revelation about the heir to the throne, stepped forward to take up the burden himself? 

The picture on the left is of St Paul's Cross. This was a place by the old St Paul's cathedral where speakers and preachers were often heard. It's hear, on 22nd June 1483 that a man called Ralph Shaw preached on the text of 'The bastard slips shall not take root' - and revealed to Londoners that Richard was the real heir, and should take the throne instead of his 12 year old nephew, Edward V.  

 

Timeline

Hopefully this timeline below will help you follow events through and get them all in order; and form your own view! You can also see the Timeline in the 1483 Timeline page in the Richard III section. 

Timeline of Events: April to July 1483
APRIL	6th	False reports of Edward IV's death reach York
	7th	Edward gathers the Queen and Royal Councillors at his death bed, urges Hastings and Dorset to make peace which they do.
	9th	Edward IV dies
	11th	Royal Council meet in London. Woodvilles win the argument to crown Edward immediately on 4th May, with Gloucester as merely leader of the council not Protector. Agree to limit the size of Edward V's retinue to 2,000
	14th	News of Edward's death reaches Rivers and Edward V in Ludlow
	?15th	Confirmation of news of Edward's death reaches Gloucester at Middleham from Hastings. Hastings urges Gloucester to take control of Edward V before he reaches London
	?16th+	Gloucester writes to Rivers, suggesting they meet on the road to London
		Gloucester writes to the Royal Council; pledging allegiance to Edward, consoling the Queen, but also  stating his right to the Protectorship
		Buckingham's letter reaches Richard, suggesting they travel together
	19th	Funeral of Edward IV; buried at Windsor
	21st	Gloucester carries out a funeral service at York for Edward and pledging allegiance to Edward V
		Buckingham receives Gloucester's letter & replies that he will meet at Northampton
	23rd	Gloucester leaves York, having heard from Rivers that they should meet at Northampton on 29th.
	24th	Rivers and Edward V leave Ludlow
	29th	Rivers reaches Stony Stratford; heads north to Northampton to see Gloucester, while Edward V, Grey & Vaughan stay at Stony Stratford. Buckingham arrives at Northampton in the evening, joining Gloucester and Rivers.
		Edward Woodville sails with the Fleet and £10,000 of royal treasure
	30th	Gloucester and Buckingham seize the King and send Rivers, Grey and Vaughan to captivity at Sheriff's Hutton. Gloucester writes a calming letter to the Royal Council
MAY	1st	Hastings assembles lords and magnates in London, reads Gloucester's letter and assures then that Rivers, Grey and Vaughan's cases would be heard by the Royal Council, and wins them to acquiescence.
		The Woodvilles attempt to raise an army against Gloucester in London - but fail. The Queen flees with her family to the Sanctuary at Westminster Abbey
		Chancellor and Archbishop of York panics, and takes the Great Seal to the Queen in Sanctuary.
	2nd	Gloucester at Northampton. Sends Rivers to Sheriff Hutton, Grey to Middleham, Vaughan to Pontefract. All in captivity.
	4th	Gloucester, Buckingham with Edward V between them enter London with 500 men. Greeted by the Mayor and Alderman and happy smiling people. Gloucester brings carts of arms which he claims to have been gathered by the Woodvilles.
		Gloucester summons lords and magnates to swear loyalty to Edward V
	10th	Meeting of the Royal Council. Gloucester rewards followers, calms nerve with the appointment of neutral men to key positions, turns Great Seal over to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Installed as Protector by the Royal Council. Coronation of Edward V delayed to June 24th.
		However, Council refuses Gloucester's request to accused Rivers, Grey and Vaughan in treason, and criticise him not failing to treat Elizabeth with the dignity of a queen.
	13th	Writs for a parliament on 25th June issued in Edward V's name.
	15th	Buckingham handsomely rewarded by Gloucester, with appointments that made him the most powerful man in Wales
JUNE	5th	Anne, Duchess of Gloucester arrives in London
	?8th	Phillippe de Commines claims that Robert Stillington, Bishop of Bath and Wells presented a case to Gloucester, or Gloucester's associates, about Edward IV's pre-contract to Eleanor Butler. A letter from Simon Stallworth makes mention of it in the royal council.
	10th	Gloucester writes to York and asks for troops to save him from the Woodvilles' plots
	13th	Hastings, Morton, Stanley seized from the royal council, and accused of treason. Hastings executed immediately without trial.
	16th	Richard surrounds Westminster Abbey & sanctuary, threatens to seize Edward Vs younger brother, the Duke of York, from Elizabeth Woodville. The Queens hands over her son to Gloucester, and he is taken to the Tower
	17th	Writs issued delaying Edward Vths coronation to 9th November. However, many missed their target, since the lords and commons assembled on 25th
	22nd	Ralph Shaw, Canon of St Pauls, preaches a sermon advancing Richard's claim as the only legitimate heir of York, based on the old story of Edward IV's bastardy, and a new claim that Edward's sons were bastards due to a prior marriage
	24th	Buckingham advances the same claims to the Mayor & Aldermen of London at the Guildhall
	25th	Lords & Commons called to 'Parliament' assemble - though legal status as a parliament not clear. Buckingham presents the petition developed by Stillington for Richard to be king, based on bastardy of Edward IV's children.
		Rivers, Grey and Vaughan executed on Gloucester's orders
	26th	Delegates of lords and knights duly visit Richard at Baynard Castle, and urge him to take the throne
		Gloucester sits in the King's chair at the Court of the King's Bench in Westminster hall
	28th	Official letter to the Captain of Calais announces that his oath of loyalty to Edward V is no longer valid due to his illegitimacy
JULY	3rd	By now, troops from the north have arrived at London. Mancini claims there to be 6,000.
	6th	Coronation of Gloucester as Richard III

 

Comments

[Stefan Schneider]

Richard was obviously watching Game of Thrones. He realized that if the Woodvilles/Lannisters take over, then Scottish zombies are going to invade.

[The History of England]

Stefan, I hate to break this to you...I'll try to be gentle...um...Richard III came before GoT?

Actually I wonder which one in GoT is Richard? Theories?

[denise]

Renly? Maybe? He tried to usurp Stannis,who was the true heir to Robert, as the kids were all illegitimate.

[Steve]

Thanks for the timeline- very easy to understand. It has really brought home to me what a busy bee Tricky Dicky was- he had to work for it.....

[The History of England]

Wasn't a gimme was it? Busy Bee I suspect is one of the nicer descriptions Richard has been given. I shall quote you.

[Lynn Drummond]

Thanks for the timeline, No one will ever know what caused Richard to change. But putting both Princes in the tower. The execution of both Rivers and Hastings, his brothers best friend. Says he had already turned against the Woodvilles faction. He may not have killed the young Princes's but leaving them there set it up for Henry the 7th. Since his mothers husband was the keeper of the keys to the Tower. It makes one wonder what history would have been had Richard allowed young Edward to be crowned. And then fought along side him, against Henry Tudor . Would Margarrt Buefords husband and his brother them betrayed Richard and the young King to their deaths. ?????

[The History of England]

Lynn, you could be right...I'm going to keep the powder of my opinion dry for a while...

[maryjane]

thank you for this.