Reasons for the attainder and murder of George, Duke of Clarence Flashcards
What happened for Clarence in October 1476?
What happened within months of this?
How did Clarence appear to react to this?
Example?
his wife Isabel gave birth to their first son
within months of this, Isabel + the baby died
distressed by Isabel’s death
took care of her funeral arrangements
What did Clarence do after the death of his wife in terms of marriage?
What did EIV do?
Why?
What did Clarence do in response?
marriage - sought to capitalise politically on new status as widower by seeking marriage with Mary, daughter of Charles, duke of Burgundy
EIV did non permit the match
dukes of Burgundy = extremely = extremely wealthy and powerful + had claim to English throne - EIV did not want to provide Clarence with motivation and resources to potentially rebel against him
Clarence allegedly spread rumours that EIV was illegitimate, claiming EIV was the son of an archer called Blaybourne - both Louis XI and the duke of Burgundy refer to EIV as ‘son of the archer’ , on 1 occasion to his face
What did EIV do as relations deteriorated between him and Clarence in terms of marriage?
What did Clarence do during this period?
Result of these actions?
EIV blocked proposed 2nd match for Clarence to the sister of the King of Scotland
Clarence rarely attended court + appeared reluctant to consume food or drink in the king’s house - wished to give impression he feared poison
EIV embarrassed + encouraged rumours that Clarence feared the Woodvilles were plotting against him
Following his wife’s death, what did Clarence increasingly become?
paranoid
In April 1477, what did Clarence do?
What cause did this give for EIV to attack Clarence?
seized Isabel’s former servant, Ankarette Twynho, from her home in Somerset and brought her, by force, to Warwick (place). Clarence accused her of poisoning Isabel and ensured guilty verdict passed through terror. Ankarette Twynho hanged
could attack Clarence using excuse he was protecting the people from acts of barbarity
Who was arrested on the grounds of using magic with ill intent?
What did Stacey confess under torture?
What happened as a result?
What did Clarence do in retaliation?
What did EIV do in response to this?
What happened as a result?
an Oxford astronomer, Dr John Stacey
confessed that he had been working with Thomas Burdett, a member of Clarence’s house, to predict the early deaths of the king and his eldest son
staged trial, Stacey and Burdett found guilty + hanged - May 1477
Clarence interrupted a council meeting at Westminster and ensured that Burdett and Stacey’s declarations of innocence were read out
EIV personally charged Clarence, of having violated the law and of interfering with the judicial system
As a result, Clarence was imprisoned in the Tower and kept there until he was tried for treason in Jan 1478
Trial of Clarence
who brought the accusations against Clarence?
evidence to suggest that it was not a fair trial?
EIV brought the accusations against Clarence
no spoke in Clarence’s defence
What was Gloucester granted before Clarence’s trial?
What was this presumably to ensure?
Gloucester granted some of Clarence’s properties and titles
presumably to ensure he did not dispute Clarence’s downfall
What indications are there that EIV had difficulty passing Clarence’s death sentence?
sentence passed by duke of Buckingham, not EIV himself
delay in carrying out the execution
execution had to be requested again by the speaker of the Commons
When was Clarence killed?
Where?
How?
What was Clarence allegedly allowed to do?
Clarence was killed in Feb 1478
in Tower
killed in secret, most likely drowned in a butt of wine
choose manner of death
Who does Clarence plot with?
Warwick, King Louis XI and Margaret of Anjou
On what grounds does Clarence accuse EIV of not being legitimately married to Elizabeth Woodville?
claimed the marriage was invalid as EIV had a pre marriage contract with Eleanor Butler - EIV had at least 1 child with her
