Northumberland’s deal that did for Richard III

From: Angela Moreton, Chandos Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds.

WITH reference to Chris Skidmore’s article (Yorkshire Post, May 24), the probable reason for the inaction of the Earl of Northumberland’s men at the battle of Bosworth was not so much “memories of the bloody battle of Towton” 25 years earlier, as that the Earl had done a deal with the invader Henry Tudor for some regional clout in any new administration.

Northumberland had resented Richard III’s power and influence in the North of England since the 1470s and, as a member of the Percy clan, he considered himself unjustly sidelined. On a battlefield, when the Lord failed to act, his retained men would do likewise.

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Northumberland’s wife, née Maude Herbert, had once been a prospective bride of Henry Tudor when, as a youth, he was living in the household of her father, which may also have created some empathy for the rebel.

Four years after Bosworth, Northumberland was killed in the course of a riot near Thirsk against Henry Tudor’s punitive new taxes. He was the only casualty, and his men apparently stood by and did nothing to save him. This could well be seen as “payback time” for his behaviour when King Richard died.

Mr Skidmore states that King Richard’s army “deserted him” and caused his final charge on Tudor.

The implication is that this was a lone effort. In fact we know that the King was accompanied by his household knights, who would number nearly 200. Several of them died in the charge. It is on record that in the preparations for his last campaign the King ordered 186 “armours” for his closest supporters.