Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham

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Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham was born on the 4^th of September 1454. He was only a year old when his Lancastrian father died at the battle of St. Albans. His grandfather, the Duke of Buckingham, died in battle five years later, but it was not until 1465 that Henry was recognized as Duke. At the age of twelve he was forced into marrying the Queen’s sister, Catherine Woodville, who at twenty-four was only interested in his lands and titles.

When Edward IV died in 1483, contrary to his will the Woodville family tried to cease control of the boy king, Edward V. In his contempt for the Woodvilles, Buckingham supported Richard, Duke of Gloucester in his quest for guardianship of the boy. When Gloucester took steps to seizing the throne Buckingham’s support diminished and the same year he led a rebellion in the name of Henry Tudor. The rebellion failed and Buckingham was captured. He tried, desperately, to speak with Richard III, before his death and his son later claimed that the Duke wished to stab King Richard. No audience was given however, and Buckingham was executed on the 2^nd of November in Salisbury.