[MR] Wikipedia: Duke of Clarence and the Malmsey

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Today we say a big "Happy Birthday" to George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of
Clarence (1449-1478).

Clarence was brother to both Edward IV and the future Richard III, so was a
Yorkist during the Wars of the Roses. But wait! When Richard Neville, Earl
of Warwick ("The Kingmaker") switched to the Lancastrian side, Clarence
went along for the ride, possibly hoping to be made the next King. Warwick
was, after all, his father-in-law, but there was that pesky question of
loyalty to Clarence's two brothers. Warwick showed no interest in Clarence,
leaving him very miffed.

After Warwick's death in 1471, Clarence wormed his way back into royal
favor. Clarence hoped to inherit Warwick's title and estates. Edward
eventually gave him the title, but only half of the estates, the rest going
to Richard. Another slight to Clarence.

Then his wife Isabel died, probably from childbirth complications in 1477.
This unhinged Clarence even more. He accused one of her ladies-inwaiting of
poisoning his wife, and after a kangaroo trial had her and a supposed
accomplice hanged.

Next he proposed himself as a suitor to Mary of Burgundy (aka "Mary the
Rich") daughter of the late Charles the Bold. Mary, as Burgundy's sole
heir, owned Flanders, Luxembourg and most of the Low Countries (her French
territories were seized by Louis XI). King Edward nixed this plan, possibly
because it would have made his unstable brother a very powerful rival. Once
again Clarence was torqued and left the court.

After one of Clarence's supporters accused him of treason during torture,
Edward had his flakey brother arrested. Clarence was tried for treason in
the Tower of London, and not surprisingly found guilty. He was "privately
executed" on 18 February 1478, supposedly by drowning in a butt of malmsey
wine.

Contrary to what Shakespeare told us, Clarence was offed by Edward IV, not
Richard III. As for the wine, it makes a good story, and that's what
history is all about.

Clarence's son was Edward Plantagenet, the 17th Earl of Warwick. The boy
was supposedly feeble-minded, but still became the figurehead for
disgruntled Yorkists after Bosworth. Henry VI  had young Edward imprisoned
in the Tower of London (the lad was apparently treated pretty well). After
a failed 1499 attempt to escape with Perkin Warbeck, Henry had both young
men executed.

More details about the Duke of Clarence and his schemes can be found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Plantagenet,_1st_Duke_of_Clarence .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆