 Jasper Tudor, depicted in a Victorian stained glass window in Cardiff Castle. Today, 28 October, in 1485, marks the ennoblement of Jasper Tudor as Duke of Bedford and re-investment as Earl of Pembroke. His nephew Henry made sure that even before his own coronation, which was to take place in two days, his uncle was rewarded for his lifetime of devotion and his key role in bringing him to the throne as Henry VII.
The King rode from Lambeth to the Tower of London in preparation for the coming event on the night of 27 October and it was the next morning after hearing Mass, the Feast of St. Simon and St Jude, that Jasper Tudor was dressed in the robes of a Duke and presented before the King at the Tower of London. With traditional splendour Jasper was escorted ‘by the Duke of Suffolk [John de la Pole], and therle of Lincoln [his son John], therle of Nottingham [William Berkeley] bearing next before him his cape of estate, and therle of Shrewsburie [John Talbot] bearing his sweard the pommel upwards, having officers of Armes before him. And in the entering of the chamber dore he [Jasper] did his first obeisaunce, and in the middest of the chamber the seconde, and in the Kinges presence the thirde. Garter [John Writhe] delivered to therle of Oxforde [John de Vere] as great chamberlayn of England his patent which he delivered to the King. And the King delivered it to his Secretarie [Richard Fox] commanding him to reede it openly. And when he came to Cincturama gladii, the King put his girdell about his neck, and hanged the sweard before him. And likewise the cape on his head, and all things according to his Patent. And when his patent was red, the King received it, and delivered the said patent of the creation of the annuitie of the duchie of Bedforde to his said uncle the duke of Bedforde.’ He was exaltedly styled ‘The High and Mighty Prince, Jasper, brother and uncle of kings, Duke of Bedford and Earl of Pembroke’. I must admit that I usually do not read that many fiction but `The Claimant' had me captivated from the very first page. It is an incredibly well researched and impressively written historical novel full of intrigue and vivid scenes, accurate accounts of the battles and detailed descriptions on weapons and clothes used during the Wars of the Roses which makes it clear the author is very passionate and knowledgeable about this time period. All that and Simon Anderson's great way of story-telling makes this book a very enjoyable read. It would make a great TV series!   Today, 2 October, in 1452, birth of Richard Plantagenet, future Duke of Gloucester and King Richard III, who would rule the kingdom from 1483 until his death in 1485. Richard was born at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire as 11th child and youngest surviving son of Richard and Cecily, Duke and Duchess of York and likely stayed at Fotheringhay until the age of 7. No one would have supposed that Richard would one day become the head of his family and King of England. Contemporary writers barely ever noticed Richard during his father’s lifetime. The first mention of Richard was when he was around four years old in 1456 in a poem in the ‘Clare Roll’: After the time of long barrenness, God first send Anne, which signifyth grace, In token that at her heart’s heaviness, He as for barrenness would from them chase. Harry, Edward, Edmund, each in his place Succeeded; and after twain daughter came Elizabeth and Margaret, and afterwards William. John after William next born was, Which both be passed to God’s grace: George was next, and after Thomas. Born was, which son after did pace. By the path of death into the heavenly place Richard liveth yet; but the last of all Was Ursula, to Him who God list call. Richard would eventually marry Prince Edward of Lancaster’s widow Anne Neville (daughter to the 'Kingmaker') and have one son with her, Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales.  Fotheringhay Castle by Julian Rowe. |
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