[MR] Wikipedia: Death of Perkin Warbeck

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

On this date in 1499, pretender to the English throne Perkin Warbeck was
hanged on Tyburn Hill in London on the order of King Henry VII. Warbeck had
claimed to be Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, the younger of the two
"princes in the tower", and styled himself Richard IV.

During his checkered career, Warbeck was supported in his claim by various
disgruntled Yorkists, especially the very rich Margaret of York, widow of
the Duke of Burgundy. He became a rallying figure for enemies of Henry VII.
For a time he was a "guest" of James IV, the KIng of Scots, who  likely saw
through the pretender, but found Warbeck as a useful pawn against England.

Perkin Warbeck was at the head of several attempted invasions of England.
His supporters expected the common people to flock to Warbeck's banner, but
support failed to materialize. His last invasion in 1497 was the most
successful. Landing in Corwall, he raised an army of some 6,000 already
disgruntled Cornishmen who marched on London. In a panic, Warbeck deserted
his army even before they were routed. Warbeck was eventually tracked down
and surrendered to Henry's officers.

Like Lambert Simnel, another pretender, Henry at first treated Warbeck with
surprising kindness and although guarded, was allowed considerable freedom.
After Warbeck tried to escape, he was clapped into the Tower. In September
1499, he and the weak-minded Earl of Warwick again attempted another
escape. His patience exhausted, Henry had them both executed for treason.

More about Perkin Warbeck is found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perkin_Warbeck .

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆