The Commons in the Wars of the Roses
This collection of articles highlights the ongoing research of our House of Commons 1461-1504 section, exploring the individuals, events and themes relating to the dramatic history of the later 15th century.
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‘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…
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‘He knewe the slaightes, stratagems, and the pollecies of warlike affaires’: Richard Neville, earl of Salisbury, and the battle of Blore Heath
On 23 September 1459 the battle of Blore Heath took place. In today’s blog, marking the anniversary of the battle,…
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‘It was the dissimulation of this one man that stirred up that whole plague of evils which followed’: William Catesby, Speaker in the Parliament of 1484, and the accession of Richard III
On 25 August 1485 William Catesby, Speaker of the House of Commons, was executed. But what brought about the downfall…
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How not to fight a battle: William Herbert, earl of Pembroke, and the battle of Edgcote 24 July 1469
Senior research fellow for our House of Commons 1461-1504 project Dr Simon Payling continues his look at significant battles during…
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Mine’s a mine: the pre-industrial mining industry of Cornwall and Devon
Whilst in modern times Devon and Cornwall may be known as popular tourist destinations, in the 14th and 15th centuries…
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A Spectacular Memorial: the Tomb of Thomas and Edith Babington in the church of Ashover, Derbyshire
Despite their positions in Parliament, it is not uncommon to come across MPs in our research who had a reasonably…
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The hunting down of Queen Margaret: the battle of Tewkesbury 4 May 1471
Today we mark the anniversary of another key battle within the Wars of the Roses: the battle of Tewkesbury. As…
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‘Without any worldly pompe’: the burial of Elizabeth Woodeville, Queen Consort
As the nation mourns the passing of Prince Philip, the duke of Edinburgh, today Dr Hannes Kleineke, editor of our…
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‘How much ancient divisions survive’: unnatural alliances and the battle of Barnet, 14 April 1471
On 14 April 1471 a crucial battle of the Wars of the Roses was fought. Just outside the town of…
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The battle of Towton and the Parliament of 1461
On 29 March 1461 the battle of Towton took place. A notoriously violent encounter, the battle is the topic of…
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A New Dawn? The accession of Edward IV on 4 March 1461
On 4 March 1461 Edward duke of York was proclaimed King in Westminster Hall. But the authority of this new…
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An empty victory: Queen Margaret and the second battle of St. Albans 17 Feb. 1461
Today Dr Simon Payling from our Commons 1461-1504 project marks the anniversary of the second battle of St. Albans. The…