Continuing the setting up of the Council - New Appointments

New Members

Hello everyone, Welcome to the latest updates on the Formation of the King's Council under Edward V, May 1483. As Richard took up the reigns of government, he certainly had a lot to deal with. Most of the issues he faced we looked at in my previous blog. The Tudorite view that he filled the council with northerners to do his will, is a simple matter to debunk since the majority of the Lords and Clergy who had served under Edward IV were retained. It is however worth looking at the three who were added  who can be considered favourable to Richard at the time.

Buckingham

Buckingham was an addition to the Council, whether this was a direct influence from Richard or a general consensus of the council for the help he had given to the Protector and the King on the way to London, is not known.  Possibly it was a a result of a growing rapport with the young King?  His addition can hardly have been a surprise either way. Doubtless  he would have whispered in Richard's ear and given a smile and nod to the young King to smooth his way.

The reward for his service must have surpassed even his own expectations. His accumulation  of lands and titles  in Wales saw saw the most striking  transfer of authority. It began with the award of  Constable of Conway Castle, Sheriff of Caernarvon and Ludlow, the centre of Governance in Wales, was also placed into his hands On the 21st May, 1483  he was Justicar and Chamberlain of Sout Wales, Constable and Captain of Aberystyth Castle, Constable of all  the Royal Castles in Shropshire and Herefordshire and Steward of South Wales, which formed part of the Duchy of Lancaster. On 26th May he was also awarded the possession of the Lordship of Gower, in South Wales.

The many grants and awards may well have been in gratitude but the vacuum created by the vacation of the King from Ludlow and the removal of Woodville influence and power, needed to be filled quickly to countermand any further unrest and any opportunity for Tudor advancement. If only Richard had the benefit of hindsight given the events of just a few months later. But Richard didn't have hindsight and when he turned his attention to Pembroke Castle for Defence, Buckingham was also the beneficiary.

Finally he was also awarded the wardship of Anne of Exeter,  Anne was Richard's niece, the daughter of his sister Anne and her second husband Thomas St Leger. She had been allowed to inherit the Exeter title and lands of her mother's first husband

Francis Viscount Lovell

Despite the assumption that Francis and Richard had become friends during their brief shared time at Middleham and the difference in their ages, a fledgling firendship may have been formed at that time though it would have been brief, for Richard was recalled to Court just after Francis arrived. Lewis' claim that Francis built his career and life around being close to Richard  and never returned to his lands in the South, I must dispute. Lovell's life was built around the kinship of Lord Fitzhugh, having married Fitzhugh's daughter, Anna. He was too young to fight at either Barnet or Tewkesbury and his non-participation earned him a  pardon, tagged onto that of his father-in-law., by Edward IV. 

It was Edward IV who made him a Viscount in January 1483 leaving him as one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest, Barron in England.

On  19th May he was given  the office of  Chief Butler of England, which had been held by Rivers, and which gave him duties to fulfil at the approaching coronation.

On the 27th May he was granted the Honour of Wallingford, an ancient title based at Wallingford Castle in Oxfordshire, together with a parcel of land in Cornwall

Thomas Langton

Thomas Langton had served as one of Edward Iv's  Chaplains, He was recommended to the Pope and the Dean and Chapter of St David's for the vacant Bishopric to which he was duly a

elected and it was as a new Bishop that he took his place on the council 

Sir William Stanley

Chamberlain of the County Palatine of Chester was commissioned  to obtain a new  seal for Edward V "By our commandment and advice of our dearest uncle."

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