Perkin Warbeck lands at Deal

 

 On this day ~ 3rd July 1495 

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 Perkin Warbeck lands at Deal, in Kent 

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 Almost from the moment, the 'Princes in the Tower' disappeared, there had been rumours that King Edward, the older of the two brothers, was dead.

Some said he was murdered, while others said he died naturally while residing in the Tower.

However, rumours were rife, that the younger brother Richard was still alive.

 The origins of Warbeck’s rising are shady to say the least.
It's still argued about today, as to how far he was manipulated by his shadowy backers.

Warbeck first appeared in Cork, Ireland, in 1491.
At this time, he was 17 years old and working for a Breton silk merchant.

His dignified manner attracted attention, and when questioned he claimed to be Richard, Duke of York - one of the Princes in the Tower.

 According to Warbeck's version of his own past, both he and his brother were to have been murdered.

Two men were appointed to carry out the act, but the one responsible for Richard's death could not bring himself to go through with the crime.

Instead, he arranged for Richard to escape to the Continent, on the condition that he stay in hiding for several years.

 When Warbeck adopted the identity of Richard of York in 1491, he began a long journey around the courts of Europe, in search of support.

He was received as Richard of York by Margaret of Burgundy, who acknowledged him as her nephew.

Margaret sought to destabilise Henry VII, at any cost.

So, with the backing of his 'Aunt' Margaret, Warbeck made his first attempt to invade England - and claim the English throne from Henry Tudor.

 On the 3rd July 1495, Perkin Warbeck landed at Deal in Kent, with men and ships.

The 'Battle of Deal' commenced, with fierce fighting taking place on the steeply sloping beach.

Kentish men loyal to King Henry VII, killed around 150 of Warbeck’s men, over 160 were captured.

Warbeck never even got off his ship, and quickly fled to Ireland.

 His presence in Ireland wasn't well received, so Warbeck then made his way to Scotland, where he charmed them all.

Warbeck married the king's cousin, Lady Catherine Gordon, and was granted a monthly pension of £112.

This was a clear indication that James IV accepted Warbeck's claim to the English throne.

 The subsequent Scottish invasion of England, in support of Warbeck in September 1496, didn't go well.

The Scots withdrew without even meeting the English forces.
Warbeck had been in England less than a week, and was now an embarrassment to the Scottish king.

Foreign backers wanted to keep Warbeck alive, as a threat to Henry, but no longer offered money or troops for invasion.

Warbeck returned once more to Ireland.

 On 12th September, Warbeck arrived back in England, with just 120 men in two ships.

This final invasion was by far the most successful.
By the time he reached Exeter, his force was several thousand strong.

However, the rebels support was more to do with wanting to run their county free from interference, then as a real belief in Warbeck as a king.

When the King's army reached the rebels, Warbeck realised there was no hope, and fled for the coast.
He took refuge in Beaulieu Abbey, and then surrendered.

 In his confession to Henry VII on October 5th, 1497, Warbeck admitted that he was the son of a boat man from Tournai.

Warbeck was taken into custody, kept at court rather than in prison.
This suggests that King Henry did not see Warbeck as a major threat.

When Warbeck tried to escape in June 1498, he was sent to the Tower.

 After attempting to escape from the Tower of London, Perkin Warbeck was hanged on 23rd November 1499.

Despite attempting to seize the throne for 8 years, Warbeck spent a total of less than 50 days on English and Irish soil.

He failed to attract the support of a single important English or Irish backer.

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The Tudor Intruders (and more)
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 16th-century copy by Jacques Le Boucq of the only known contemporary portrait of Perkin Warbeck.

Library of Arras