Buckingham's Rebellion 1483 Flashcards
Initial
Rebellion began in response to usurpation and imprisonment of princes
Many of rebels were former servants of Edward IV eg Thomas Bourchier
This showed that many of Richard’s Southern retinue were no longer behind Richard
Aims of rebels change after it was believed princes were dead
Reasons for Buckingham’s involvement
Some suggest treachery stemmed from Richard’s hesitancy to grant him a portion of the earldom of Hereford
Others suggest that Buckingham was influenced by his aunt, Margaret Beaufort
Involved himself as a means of self preservation as he witnessed opposition grow against Richard
Events of rebellion
Three main areas, household men in Kent and south east, south central Wiltshire and Hampshire and south west
Buckingham had written to Henry Tudor asking him to invade but plans for the invasion had been leaked by royal spies
Gathered forces at Breacon but was hampered by wet weather
He also tried to communicate with the
rebels in Kent, whilst simultaneously ignoring Richard’s messages to stand down and come to him.
Unfortunately when the revolt came it was characterised by disorganisation. The rebels in Kent rose a week before Buckingham began his actions and were swiftly dealt with by the Duke of Norfolk operating out of London.
Across the south there were minor risings but they were generally minor and poorly organised,
larger magnates declined to rise in rebellion, unsurprisingly reluctant for another civil war.
When Buckingham finally made his move on the 18th of October he found the Severn in flood and his Welsh
forces, already reticent to fight for a man they despised, melted away. The rebellious duke moved into Herefordshire but the commons there also refused to fight - rumours abounded that Richard was on his
way with a northern army and had placed a £1,000 bounty on Buckingham’s head.
Buckingham went to ground in Shropshire at the home of his childhood friend Ralph Bannister. But Bannister gave him up and 1st November he was arrested
How did it weaken Richard
Many Yorkists up to 500 deserted Richard, these included the Woodvilles such as Thomas Grey but also household servants such as John Morton
Richard was only left with a few active supporters, eg John de Pole and earl of Lincoln and Norfolk
Many of Buckingham’s lands were passed onto the Stanleys, Lord Stanley was Tudors stepfather
Richard had to move northerners to the south to maintain control, increased tension
