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Explore the White Tower

Explore all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London using the Unity 3d game engine.

A Medieval Mystery

There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.

1: Location

Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.

2: Alignment

Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.

3: Size

Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?

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3D/VR

Virtual Buildings

Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

1426 .. 1450
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Fifteenth Century

109 Historical events occurring between 1426 and 1450

Years: 1426 1427 1428 1429 1430 1431 1432 1433 1434 1435 1436 1437 1438 1439 1440 1441 1442 1443 1444 1445 1446 1447 1448 1449 1450

1426

English Regnal years: 4 Henry VI - 5 Henry VI
 
Deaths

Beaufort, Thomas (Duke of Exeter) ( - d.1426)

...
London Bridge rebuilding work
Construction work was carried out on London Bridge. The tower at the north end of the bridge with the drawbridge was rebuilt with a better drawbridge that could be raised to allow ships with their cargo to unload at Queenhithe Dock further up the river. [1]
...
Founding of the University of Louvain
The University of Louvain, Belgium, was founded.
See Also

1427

English Regnal years: 5 Henry VI - 6 Henry VI
Jan
War with Brittany
Jan
The Bretons had captured Pontorson, a town on the north-west coast of France. The Earl of Warwick laid siege to the town.
Mar 19
Bedford sails for France
Mar 19
The Duke of Bedford and John Talbot sailed for France.
Jul
Earl of Strathearn
Jul
King James continued his oppression of the barons by granting the title of Earl of Strathearn to Walter earl of Atholl. Walter was James' uncle by his grandfather's second marriage. By granting the title for life this meant Walter's sons would inherit the title after his death.
See Also

1428

English Regnal years: 6 Henry VI - 7 Henry VI
 
Births

Neville, Richard (Earl of Warwick, 'The Kingmaker') (b.1428 - d.1471)

...
Law preventing unauthorised marriage
Parliament passed a law that made it illegal for someone to marry the queen dowager without express permission. The law was passed so that Catherine of France, the widow of Henry V, could not marry anyone she chose and provide a political advantage for her new husband. [2]
...
Danger of passing beneath London Bridge
The Duke of Norfolk was involved in a boating disaster as he passed beneath London Bridge. His barge hit one of the starlings and wrecked. He and several others managed to jump onto the base of the pier but many others were not so fortunate and were swept away. [1]
...
Parliament at Inverness
The Highlands of Scotland did not regard King James as their soveriegn. So the king called a Parliament at Inverness and invited the clans to attend. Once there the King had many of the chiefs of the clans arrested, tried and executed. Many more were imprisoned.
Oct 12
Siege of Orléans
Oct 12
The Duke of Bedford led an English army to surround the French town of Orléans and to begin the siege. Orléans was chosen because it was the most important city still under the control of Charles VII. The city was well prepared for the siege and even though the there were a small number of French soldiers in the city the defences held. Thomas Montacute, earl of Salisbury, was killed when he was hit by debris of an exploding cannonball. The siege continued into the harsh winter. The death of the Thomas Montacute meant that the Earl's title was transferred to Richard Neville who had married his daughter Anne. [3]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Oct 13
Lincoln College, Oxford founded
Oct 13
Lincoln College at Oxford was founded by Richard Flemming, bishop of Lincoln. His successor, Thomas Rotherham, boosted the College's revenues and is considered to be its second founder.
Nov 22
Birth of Richard Neville, the Kingmaker
Nov 22
Birth of Richard Neville, the Kingmaker. Richard was the son of Richard Neville, 5th earl of Salisbury and Anne, the daughter of Thomas Montacute, 4th earl of Salisbury. [4]
See Also

1429

English Regnal years: 7 Henry VI - 8 Henry VI
 
Births

Margaret (of Anjou) (b.1429 - d.1482)

...
Marriage of Owen Tudor and Catherine of France
It is believed that Owen Tudor and Catherine were secretly married in this year or just before.
...
Marriage of Richard and Cecily
Richard Duke of York married Cecily Neville.
Feb 12
Battle of the Herrings
Feb 12
To supply the English who were besieging Orléans the Duke of Bedford arranged for a convoy of food be sent. The convoy was attacked by the French but the English managed to fight them off. After the battle the battlefield was covered with the food which was mostly salted fish. [3]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Feb 23
Joan begins her mission
Feb 23
With an escort of attendants, Joan of Arc left Vaucouleurs dressed as a man. The party headed for Chinon where King Charles VII was staying. They reached Chinon in early March.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Mar
Joan visits Charles VII
Mar
Joan was granted an audience with the dauphin at Vaucouleurs. At the meeting Charles had disguised himself as a servant and had a servant dress as himself. Joan was not fooled and picked the king out. Charles was impressed when Joan told him that God had told her that he was the true heir.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Apr
Joan is given an army
Apr
Charles gave Joan a small army and she sets of to free Orleans from the English.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Apr 29
Joan reaches Orleans
Apr 29
Joan reached Orleans and managed to get past the English to enter the town. There she raised the moral of the citizens trapped by the English siege.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
May 8
Siege of Orleans is lifted
May 8
Joan of Arc had tried to negotiate with the English to lift the siege of Orleans without success. More French troops had arrived to assist break the blockade. On May 7th, Joan was wounded by an arrow in the neck but survived and managed to lead the French to defeat the English at Les Tourelles, part of the town. On May 8th the English moved out of Orleans.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Jun 18
The Battle of Patay
Jun 18
The French defeat the English.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Jul 17
Charles VII crowned at Reims
Jul 17
Joan of Arc and the dauphin entered Reims. Charles was crowned in the Cathedral and became King of France.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Sep 8
Joan fails to take Paris
Sep 8
The French fail to retake Paris that had been captured by the English. Joan was slightly injured during the fighting.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Nov 6
Henry VI crowned King of England
Nov 6
Although Henry was still too young to reign he was crowned as Henry VI, King of England in response to the Duke of Bedford's concerns over the events in France. Henry was crowned at Westminster Abbey.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
See Also

1430

English Regnal years: 8 Henry VI - 9 Henry VI
 
Births

James (II, King of Scotland 1437-1460) (b.1430 - d.1460)

William (Lord Hastings) (b.1430 - d.1483)

 
Deaths

Adam (of Usk) (b.1352 - d.1430)

Apr 23
Henry VI travels to Calais
Apr 23
The young king sailed from England and landed at Calais on St. George's Day in preparation for his coronation as the King of France. He remained at Calais for several weeks as his protectors were concerned about Joan of Arc. [5]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
May 23
Joan of Arc is captured
May 23
Joan's main objective was to liberate Paris from the Burgundians, but first she needed to free Compiegne. It was during the fighting here that she was wounded again and this time captured. Joan was then sold to the English who handed her over to the Church. As Compiegne was under the bishopric of Beauvais Joan was delivered to Pierre Cauchon, the Bishop of Beauvais, who led the trial.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Oct 16
Birth of James II of Scotland
Oct 16
Joan Beaufort, the wife of King James I of Scotland gave birth to twins, James and Alexander at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Alexander did not survive long.
See Also

3D Virtual Reconstructions

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1431

English Regnal years: 9 Henry VI - 10 Henry VI
 
Births

Tudor, Jasper (Earl of Pembroke) (b.1431 - d.1496)

 
Deaths

Joan (of Arc) (b.1412 - d.1431)

Jan
The trial of Joan of Arc
Jan
Joan's trial began.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
May 30
Joan of Arc burnt at the stake
May 30
Joan was burnt at the stake in Rouen in the Old Market Square. [3]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Dec 2
Henry enters Paris
Dec 2
It was Advent Sunday when Henry VI rode into Paris.
Dec 16
Henry VI crowned as King of France
Dec 16
Henry was crowned King of France at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris by Cardinal Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
See Also

1432

English Regnal years: 10 Henry VI - 11 Henry VI
...
York Minster south-west tower
Building work on the south-west tower of York Minster took place until 1456. [6]
Feb 9
Henry VI returns home
Feb 9
King Henry VI landed at Dover. [7]
See Also

1433

English Regnal years: 11 Henry VI - 12 Henry VI
 
Births

Mary (of Guelders) (b.1433 - d.1463)

...
Licence to build Alnwick town walls
King Henry VI granted a licence to build the town walls around the town of Alnwick.It took many years due to problems raising the funds required.
...
Construction of Greenwich Palace
Humphrey, the Duke of Gloucester began the construction of the Greenwich estate which would become the important Tudor residence.
Christmas
King Henry At Bury St. Edmunds
Christmas
The king was a guest of the Abbot of Bury St. Edmunds at Christmas and stayed at the Abbey until the following Easter.
See Also

1434

English Regnal years: 12 Henry VI - 13 Henry VI
Nov 24
London severe cold
Nov 24
Severe cold set in and lasted until February the next year. The Thames froze over forcing ships to unload futher down river than usual. Reports of severe cold in Ireland as well. [8]
More Natural World Events
See Also

1435

English Regnal years: 13 Henry VI - 14 Henry VI
 
Births

Clifford, John (9th Lord Clifford) (b.1435 - d.1461)

 
Deaths

Isabeau (of Bavaria) (b.1370 - d.1435)

John (of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford) (b.1389 - d.1435)

Sep 14
Duke of Bedford dies
Sep 14
John, Duke of Bedford, died in Rouen. Henry was still too young to rule and Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, took over as regent until Henry was old enough to rule England unaided. Gloucester was not popular and was the cause of unrest with Parliament.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Sep 21
Treaty of Arras
Sep 21
The English lost the support of the Duke of Burgundy against King Charles VII of France with the signing of the Treaty of Arras where the Duke recognised Charles as the true King of France. [9]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
See Also

1436

English Regnal years: 14 Henry VI - 15 Henry VI
 
Births

Beaufort, Henry (3rd Duke of Somerset) (b.1436 - d.1464)

 
Deaths

Cheng Ho (b.1371 - d.1436)

Apr 13
The French retake Paris
Apr 13
The long occupation of Paris by the English was ended when the French rescued the city. [9]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
May 1
Richard, Duke of York is appointed Lieutenant-general
May 1
Richard, Duke of York, is appointed lieutenant-general in France by the king, Henry VI.
Dec
Severe frosts
Dec
A severe winter at the end of1436 and start of 1437 causes many deaths and hardship. [10]
More Natural World Events
See Also

1437

English Regnal years: 15 Henry VI - 16 Henry VI
 
Births

Woodville, Elizabeth (b.1437 - d.1492)

 
Deaths

Catherine (of Valois) (b.1401 - d.1437)

James (I, King of Scotland 1406-1437) (b.1394 - d.1437)

Joanna (of Navarre) ( - d.1437)

...
Eugenius IV becomes Pope
Jan 3
Catherine of France dies
Jan 3
Catherine died in this year after retiring to Bermondsey Abbey. Some reports say she died whilst giving birth, but this is probably wrong.
Jan 14
London Bridge section collapse
Jan 14
The base of the Great Stone Gate as the southern end of London Bridge gave way and the whole tower collapsed taking several arches with it. This cut off the Southwark from the rest of the City. [1]
Feb 20
Assassination of King James I
Feb 20
James I of Scotland spent Christmas at Pearth. Late in the evening of February 20th, assassins found their way to the King's private appartment. James' wife managed to hold off the attackers while the King attempted to escape through vaults underneath the room, but his escape route was blocked and he was brutally murdered. The attackers would by found guilty of his murder and executed.
Mar 25
James II becomes King of the Scots
Mar 25
After the death of his father, James II became the King of the Scots. [11]
Qtr 2
Owen Tudor is captured
Qtr 2
After the death of Catherine of France Owen Tudor was summonsed by Henry VI. Owen was unsure of Henry's motives and wanted some guarantee that he would be able to leave unharmed. That guarantee was given and Owen went to London. Still cautious, Owen used the safety of Westminster to investigate the King's reasons for his summons and when he was relatively happy visited the King. Owen was charged with certain crimes but was cleared and allowed to leave. On his return to Wales Owen was arrested and imprisoned in Newgate gaol.
Nov
Henry VI rules unaided
Nov
By this time Henry VI had taken control of England and had been declared old enough to rule unaided. This may have been the case since the middle of the previous year when the Duke of York had been dispatched to France.
See Also

1438

English Regnal years: 16 Henry VI - 17 Henry VI
 
Births

Beaufort, Edmund (4th Duke of Somerset) (b.1438 - d.1471)

...
Oxford University founded
All souls college at Oxford was founded by King Henry VI. [7]
Qtr 1
Owen Tudor escapes
Qtr 1
Somehow Owen escaped from the Newgate prison along with his priest and servant but was soon recaptured and sent to Windsor Castle.
See Also

1439

English Regnal years: 17 Henry VI - 18 Henry VI
 
Deaths

Holland, Margaret (b.1385 - d.1439)

...
Felix V becomes the last Antipope
Jul
Owen Tudor is pardoned
Jul
Owen Tudor was pardoned for all crimes he had been accused of and released from Windsor Castle. He was taken in by the King and given a regular income. Owen and his sons proved to be faithful Lancastrian supporters.
See Also

1440

English Regnal years: 18 Henry VI - 19 Henry VI
 
Deaths

Beaufort, Joan (Countess of Westmorland) (b.1379 - d.1440)

...
Tattershall Castle brick tower construction
Construction of the brick tower at Tattershall took place around this time.
...
Herstmonceux Castle construction
Construction of the brick Herstmonceux castle took place around this time.
...
Harfleur captured by the English
The English under the command of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, captured the port town of Harfleur on the northern coast of France.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
...
Construction of Caister Castle
Caister Castle, in Norfolk just north of Great Yarmouth, was built around this time by Sir Jon Fastolf. Casiter is one of the first brick built castles in England. [12]
...
Eton College, Cambridge founded
King Henry VI founded Eton College at Cambridge. [7]
...
Katla Volcano Eruption
Eruption of the large Icelandic volcano. [13]
More Natural World Events
...
Gutenberg unveils the printing press
Johannes Gutenberg invented the first movable-type printing press and unveiled it in this year. The invention created an information revoltion and started the spread of litrature across Europe.
...
Collapse of the London Postern Gate
One of the several gates built around London was the Postern Gate at the Tower of London. Around this time the gate collapsed into the moat and it was never rebuilt.
Summer
Richard of York re-appointed Lieutentant-general
Summer
Richard, Duke of York was re-appointed lieutenant-general of France and Normandy. [14]
See Also

3D Virtual Reconstructions

Click to explore

1441

English Regnal years: 19 Henry VI - 20 Henry VI
 
Births

Beaufort, Lady Margaret (b.1441 - d.1509)

...
King's College, Cambridge founded
King Henry VI founded King's College, Cambridge. [7]
May
Alberbury Priory
May
The alien priory of Alberbury, confiscated by the crown in the reign of King Edward III, was granted to All Souls College, Oxford. [15]
Summer
Duke of York in Normandy
Summer
Although Richard, Duke of York, had been appointed governor of France and Normandy he did not go until reports from Rouen in Normandy of French attacks persuaded him to do so. [14]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
See Also

1442

English Regnal years: 20 Henry VI - 21 Henry VI
 
Births

Edward (IV, Earl of March and King of England 1461-1470, 1471-1483) (b.1442 - d.1483)

Neville, Katherine (b.1442 - d.1504)

Woodville, Anthony (Earl Rivers) (b.1442 - d.1483)

...
Calais relieved by Edmund Beaufort
The English who were under siege inside Calais were resupplied by Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. For his actions Beaufort received the title Earl of Dorset.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
...
Lord Talbot made Earl of Shrewsbury
After his successes in France Lord Talbot returned to England to request reinforcements and was given the title Earl of Shrewsbury by King Henry VI.
Apr 28
Future Edward IV is born
Apr 28
The future King Edward IV was born on April 28th in Rouen in Normandy. His father was Richard, Duke of York, the great-grandson of King Edward III and his mother was Cecily Neville. Richard was acting as Henry VI's lieutenant-general in France.
Dec
Henry VI's legal majority
Dec
At the age of 21 King Henry VI was legally old enough to rule unaided without assistance of a guardian. [7]
See Also

1443

English Regnal years: 21 Henry VI - 22 Henry VI
 
Births

Beauchamp, Anne (Countess of Warwick) (b.1443 - d.1449)

Edmund (Earl of Rutland) (b.1443 - d.1460)

Vere, John de (Earl of Oxford) (b.1443 - d.1513)

Apr
Treaty of Tours
Apr
The rulers of Europe intervened when they saw that the ongoing war between England and France was doing destructive damage to both countries. Delegates including Cardinal Beauforta and the Earl of Suffolk from England met delegates from France to discuss a peace treaty. It wasn't until the followg year that the treaty was signed. The Treaty of Tours was signed by King Henry VI of England and Charles VII of France. The treaty resulted in five years of peace between the two countries and included the arrangement of marriage between Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou. [14]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
See Also

1444

English Regnal years: 22 Henry VI - 23 Henry VI
 
Deaths

Beaufort, John (1st Duke of Somerset) ( - d.1444)

...
Foundation of Catania University
Catania University on the island of Sicily was founded in this year after permission was given by Pope Eugenius IV.
Feb 1
St. Paul's struck by lightning
Feb 1
This was the time before lightning conductors and when lightning struck the tower on St. Paul's Cathedral it started a fire.  [1]
More Natural World Events
May 24
Betrothal of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou
May 24
To ensure peace between England and France the marriage between Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou was arranged. This agreement is known as the Treaty of Tours. [7]
See Also

1445

English Regnal years: 23 Henry VI - 24 Henry VI
 
Deaths

Beaufort, Joan (b.1404 - d.1445)

Margaret (Stewart) ( - d.1445)

Sir William ap Thomas ( - d.1445)

...
Cape Verde discovered
The Cape Verde islands located off the west coast of Senegal were discovered by Portuguese explorers in this year.
Episode: The Great Explorers [highlight all]
Apr 23
Marriage of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou
Apr 23
The marriage of the King of England to Margaret of Anjou had been arranged as part of the treaty signed at Tours to ensure peace between England and France. [16]
May 30
Margaret of Anjou crowned
May 30
After a triumphant entrance to London a few days earlier Margaret stayed at the Tower of London for a few days before going to Westminster Abbey where she was crowned.  [10]
Jul
French Embassy in London
Jul
A French Embassy arrived in London to meet the English King and confirm terms of a peace treaty after the marriage of Henry to Margaret of Anjou.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
See Also

1446

English Regnal years: 24 Henry VI - 25 Henry VI
 
Births

Margaret (of York, Duchess of Burgundy) (b.1446 - d.1503)

 
Deaths

Beauchamp, Henry (1st Duke of Warwick) ( - d.1446)

...
Henry VI receives the Golden Rose
Pope Eugenius IV granted the gift of the Golden Rose to King Henry VI for his devotion to both the Church and education. The Golden Rose was a solid gold ornament in the shape of a rose. [7]
...
Queen's College, Cambridge founded
Margaret of Anjou, the wife of King Henry VI, founded Queen's College at Cambridge.
See Also

1447

English Regnal years: 25 Henry VI - 26 Henry VI
 
Deaths

Beaufort, Henry (Cardinal-Bishop of Winchester) (b.1376 - d.1447)

Humphrey (Duke of Gloucester) (b.1390 - d.1447)

...
Edmund Beaufort appointed lieutenant of France
The position of lieutenant of France was contested by Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and Richard, Duke of York. Richard wanted to be re-appointed to the position but the Duke of Somerset was appointed instead. Edmund and Richard would become bitter rivals in the future battles of the Wars of the Roses. [14]
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
...
Nicholas V becomes Pope
Feb 23
Death of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
Feb 23
A parliament was held at Bury St. Edmunds where the Duke of Gloucester was accused of treason and arrested. It was said that he was planning an uprising against the king. The accusations were made falsely by the Duke of Suffolk. Gloucester died only days after his arrest.
Qtr 4
Richard, Duke of York, Lieutenant of Ireland
Qtr 4
Richard, Duke of York, had previously been the Lieutenant of France and Normandy but this had expired and the title had gone to his rival Edmund Beaufort (later Duke of Somerset). Instead, Richard was appointed the title of Lieutenant of Ireland. [14]
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
See Also

1448

English Regnal years: 26 Henry VI - 27 Henry VI
...
Constantine XI Dragases becomes Emperor
Constantine XI Dragases became the Byzantine Emperor. He as the last Byzantine emperor.
...
Henry VI tours the east of England
The King toured East Anglia and later in the year Yorkshire.
...
Vatican Library founded
The Vatican Library in Rome is founded,
...
Surrender of Maine
A stipulation of the Treaty of Tours (1444) was the surrender of Maine and Anjou by the English to the French. But the garrison holding Le Mans refused to give it up. The French laid siege to the city and it was surrendered.
See Also

1449

English Regnal years: 27 Henry VI - 28 Henry VI
 
Births

George (Duke of Clarence) (b.1449 - d.1478)

 
Deaths

Beauchamp, Anne (Countess of Warwick) (b.1443 - d.1449)

...
Richard Neville becomes Earl of Warwick
Richard Neville married Anne Beauchamp who was the heiress to the Warwick Earldom. The last male Beauchamp had died without an heir and so Richard took the title of earl of Warwick. This gave him control of large amounts of land in the Midlands and South Wales.
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
Mar
Fougeres captured by the English
Mar
Several years after the Treaty of Arras, after which the conflict between England and France had subdued, an English force attacked and took over the town of Fougeres in Brittany. This sparked the resumption of the war between the two countries. [9]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Jul
French Armies in Normandy
Jul
Several French armies moved into Normandy to retake it from the English. The English garrisons began to surrender under the pressure. [5]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Jul
Richard, Duke of York, sails for Ireland
Jul
The Duke of York sailed for Ireland, landing at Howth, Dublin.
Nov
Siege of Rouen
Nov
A large army of French soldiers were able to retake the cities in Normandy that had been captured by the English. Rouen, the last to fall, was retaken in November after a siege of almost three weeks. This was a major victory for Charles, the French king and a disaster for Henry VI. [4]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
See Also

1450

English Regnal years: 28 Henry VI - 29 Henry VI
 
Births

Cabot, John (b.1450 - d.1500)

Welles, John (Viscount Welles) (b.1450 - d.1498)

 
Deaths

Cade, Jack ( - d.1450)

Gough, Matthew (b.1386 - d.1450)

Neville, Cecily (Duchess of Warwick) (b.1425 - d.1450)

Pole, William de la (Duke of Suffolk) ( - d.1450)

...
Southwell Cathedral West window
The West window of Southwell Cathedral was begun in this year. [6]
...
Gloucester Cathedral tower
The central tower at the monastery of Gloucester was built at this time. [17]
Jan
The Duke of Suffolk is sent to the Tower
Jan
The Duke of Suffolk was accused by Parliament of using his position close to the king to influence matters for his and his followers own ends. He was also accused of increasing his own wealth at the expense of the king and perverting the course of justice. Suffolk was murdered on his way to exile in May of the same year.
Jan
Murder at Portsmouth
Jan
Adam Moleyns, the Bishop of Chichester and Lord Privy Seal, had been sent to Portsmouth by the king to pay the wages of soldiers and sailors who had not been paid for some time. But the anger of the soldiers was so great that they turned on him and he was murdered. [10]
Mar 15
Siege of Valognes
Mar 15
An English army landed at Cherbourg under the command of Sir Thomas Kyriel. Joined by forces led by Matthew Gough the combined army laid siege to Valognes. The town fell to the English in April.
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Apr 15
Battle of Formigny
Apr 15
An English army under the command of Sir Thomas Kyriel and Matthew Gough were attacked at Formigny in Normandy. The English were defeated and many of them were captured including Kyriel. Matthew Gough managed to escape. [2]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
May
Revolt in Kent
May
Jack Cade was the leader of a rebellion that began in Kent and elsewhere in the south east of England. The rebels' grievances were directed at King Henry's councillors who were using their influence on the king for their own gains.
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
May
Death of William de la Pole
May
William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk was accused by Parliament of being the cause of the country's problems. Suffolk was arrested and imprisoned. The king allowed the Duke to be banished rather than executed but as he left the country he was attacked and killed.
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
May
Act of Resumption
May
England was exhausted by the high level of taxes, so in return for more taxation for military operations in Normandy Parliament passed the Act of Resumption, the aim of which was to annul all of the grants that had been made by King Henry since taking the throne. Although the Act was passed there were a large number of exceptions to the rules.
May 16
Bayeux surrendered to the French
May 16
English forces led by Matthew Gough held out at Bayeux against a French siege. The French used powerful cannons and finally Gough agreed to surrender the town to the French. [2]
Episode: Henry VI and Joan of Arc [highlight all]
Jun
London ransacked by the rebels
Jun
The rebels under the command of Jack Cade defeated a section of King Henry's army at Sevenoaks and entered London. The rebels ransacked the city and after crossing London Bridge to the south were prevented crossing back to the north by angry Londoners. The rebels were defeated and fled.
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
Summer
Matthew Gough made Captain of the Tower
Summer
On his return from Normandy Matthew Gough was made Captain of the Tower of London. Gough was killed in the fighting with Jack Cade and the rebels on London Bridge soon afterwards. [2]
Jul
Jack Cade killed
Jul
After the defeat of the rebels in London Jack Cade fled but was pursued. He was caught and killed while resisting arrest.
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
Jul
Surrender of Caen
Jul
The Duke of Somerset surrendered the town of Caen to the French after a short siege and he returned to England. [10]
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
Aug 1
Somerset arrives in London
Aug 1
The Duke of Somerset entered London and positioned himself as part of the king's council. [5]
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
Aug 12
Fall of Cherbourg to the French
Aug 12
The lands in Normandy held by the English began to fall to the French one-by-one until Cherbourg finally fell on August 12th. [10]
Episode: Wars of the Roses Phase One [highlight all]
Sep
Richard returns from Ireland
Sep
As a possible heir to throne of England, Richard, Duke of York returned from Ireland where he had been placed as lieutenant by the Duke of Somerset who had possible aspirations of taking the throne for himself. Edmund Beaufort, the Duke of Somerset and his associates were being shown favouritism and Richard along with the Welsh land owners were finding it hard to retain the earnings they were making from their own estates. William Tresham, a supported of Richard's was murdered as he travelled to meet the Duke. At first Richard attempted to hide his intentions of overthrowing the king.
Dec 2
Parliament meets
Dec 2
With William Oldhall, a supporter of Richard Duke of York, in the speaker's seat, Parliament was on the the Duke's side. It was agreed that those at the king's side should be arrested including the Duke of Somerset.
See Also

Timeline Navigation

 

Selection of references used:

  • 1: John E.N. Hearsey, Bridge, Church and Palace In Old London, 1961, William Clowes and Sons Limited (1961), Own copy
  • 2: H.T. Evans, Wales and the War of the Roses, ISBN:ISBN-0-905-778-278
  • 3: Duc de Castries, The lives of the Kings and Queens of France, ISBN:0-297-77676-2, Erdington Library
  • 4: C. W. Oman, Warwick
  • 5: R.L.Storey, The End of the House of Lancaster, 1966, Barrie and Rockliff (Barrie Books Ltd) (1966)
  • 6: John Harvey, English Cathedrals, 1961, Batsford (1961)
  • 7: John Mescal, Obl.O.S.B., M.A., LL.B., F.R.S.A, Henry VI
  • 8: George Fleming, Animal Plagues from 1490 B.C. to 1800 A.D., 1871, Chapman and Hall (1871), Google Books
  • 9: W.H.Hudson, France, The Nation & its Development, MCMXVII, George G. Harrap & Co (MCMXVII)
  • 10: Hubert Cole, The Wars of the Roses, 1973, ISBN:0-246-10618-2, Own copy
  • 11: Susan Ross, The Castles of Scotland, ISBN:0-85097-184-5
  • 12: John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales, Shire Publications Ltd
  • 13: www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1702-03=&volpage=erupt, Global Volcanism Program
  • 14: J R Lander, The Wars of the Roses, ISBN:0-75090-018-0
  • 15: John Corbet Anderson, Shropshire It's Early History
  • 16: Jasper Ridley, The History of England, 1981, ISBN:0-7100-0794-9, Routledge & Kegan Paul (1981)
  • 17: Visitor Guide, Gloucester Cathedral A Short Account, 1948