Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham

Well I had a good day today at my local war games club. I have managed to take a few photos with which to populate my blog. The pictures have been noticeable by their absence recently. However, up first is Henry Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham. I have included a couple of his entourage including his standard. The Duke himself and the Man-At-Arms are Wargames Foundry models with the other two being from the current Perry Miniatures range.

The standard is from Freezywater and the decal on the longbowman is from Citadelsix. Both the standard and the decal have been overpainted.

Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham (1454 - 1483) was the son of Humphrey Stafford, killed at the first battle of St. Albans in 1455. Buckingham in right of his mother, was the son of Edmund, 5th Earl of Stafford and of Anne, daughter of Thomas, Duke of Gloucester, youngest son of Edward III. Henry's mother was Margaret Beaufort, daughter of Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset, grandson of John of Guant. Thus he came from both sides of the Blood Royal, and this coupled with the vastness of his inheritance, made the young duke's future important to Edward IV.

He was recognised as Duke in 1465, and the next year was married to Catherine Woodville, the queen's sister. On reaching manhood he was made a knight of the Garter in 1474, and in 1478 was high steward at the trial of George, Duke of Clarence. After Edward's death Buckingham was the one of the first persons worked upon by Richard, Duke of Gloucester. It was through his help that Richard obtained possession of the young king (Edward V) and he was at once rewarded with the offices of Justicar and Chamberlin of the North and South Wales, and Constable of all the royal castles in the principality of the Welsh Marches.

At Richard's coronation he served as Chamberlin, and immediately afterwards was made Constable of England and confirmed in his powers in Wales. Richard might have well believed that the duke's support was secured. But early in August Buckingham withdrew from court to Brecon. He may have thought the he deserved even greater reward, or possibly had dreams of establishing his own claims to the crown. At all events, at Brecon he fell somewhat easily under the influence of his prisoner, John Morton, who induced him to give his support to his cousin, Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond. A widespread plot was soon formed, but Richard had early warning and on the 15th October issued a proclamation against Buckingham. Buckingham, as arranged was prepared to enter England with a large force of Welshmen. His advance was stopped by an extraordinary flood on the Severn, his army melted away without striking a blow, and himself took refuge with a follower, Ralph Bannister at Lacon Hall near Wem. Bannister betrayed him for a large reward and on the 1st November Buckingham was brought to trial at Salisbury. Richard refused to see him and after a summary trial had him executed the next day, even though it was a Sunday.

(This information is taken from the Luminarium Website. You can find the link below.)