It’s generally known that Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, was arrested and executed in 1483 after joining the failed rebellion against Richard III, and it’s often hypothesized that Harry was impelled to rebel in part because he was a closet Lancastrian. But did you know that in 1471, Harry was arrested–as a Yorkist sympathizer? Harry, …
Although Henry Stafford, second Duke of Buckingham, hasn’t suffered the same fate as his wife, whose actual age at the time of the couple’s marriage in 1465 or possibly 1466 is often tripled by modern writers who are either superficial in their research and/or eager to depict the Woodvilles in the worst possible light, his …
The Age of Henry Stafford, Second Duke of Buckingham Read More »
Much to the frustration of the historical novelist who chooses Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, as a main character, few of his records survive. Many records were destroyed in 1483, where the Vaughan family raided Brecon Castle after Henry left it for his ill-fated rebellion against Richard III, and more were destroyed by Welsh rebels …
Last night, when revising My Heart Split with Sorrow, I ran into the annoying scenario of having to rewrite a scene in order to account for one of my historical characters’ known whereabouts. Once I realized that I could do so without sacrificing a big chunk of necessary dialogue, I was a happy camper. Anyway, …
The Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham Pay Homage to the Prince of Wales Read More »
In researching my novel featuring Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, I naturally had to do some digging regarding his mother, Margaret Beaufort–not to be confused with the other Margaret Beaufort, mother to Henry VII. This was a frustrating dig! This Margaret Beaufort was one of five daughters of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, and Eleanor …
The Mysterious Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Stafford Read More »
Well, I’m chugging along in my work in progress, and the Duke of Gloucester, aided by his friend the Duke of Buckingham, is on the verge of usurping the throne, with grim consequences for everyone concerned. Since my characters are so busy, I am too, but I thought I’d stop by and pass along this …
One of the grande dames of the fifteenth century was Anne, Duchess of Buckingham. She was a daughter of Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmorland, who by his two wives fathered a whopping twenty-two or twenty-three children. Through her eldest full brother, Richard Neville, Anne was an aunt to Warwick the Kingmaker; through her younger full …
A Dowager Duchess’s Bequests: The Will of Anne, First Duchess of Buckingham Read More »
Well, Obama got elected, and I’m still smiling. Weren’t his daughters cute at his acceptance speech? It’s nice to think of children that age in the White House again, particularly once they get the promised family dog. Speaking of children, in 1485, one young boy must have been very happy to see Henry VII be …
Stop by if you’re interested in Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, and his duchess! (Yes, I have been writing a lot about the chap lately, haven’t I?)
(It is closing time on Christmas Eve at Debenhams department store in Salisbury. As the last customer leaves the Mens department, the staff mills around, tidying up, counting the day’s receipts, chatting idly, and so forth. The employees leave in several groups, until at last, two employees shut off the lights in the department and …