| | | 1475 | Jul - Edward invades France
Edward's plans to unseat the King of France led to his invasion of France with a force of 10,000 men. He had been promised assistance from the Dukes of Brittany and Burgundy, and the King of Aragon. Unfortunately the Burgundian army did not turn up due to another conflict and Edward was left without sufficient men to proceed.
See AlsoAug - Peace treaty signed
Louis and Edward agreed to a peace treaty to last seven years. The Treaty of Picquigny agreement meant Louis was to pay Edward an initial sum to leave France, and a smaller yearly sum there-after.
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| | 1476 | Dec - Edward prevents marriage
Isabel, the wife of George, Duke of Clarence died a few months after giving birth to her second child. Clarence chose Mary of Burgundy as his next wife. Mary was the heir to the Duchy of Burgundy and had a good claim to the English throne. Edward saw the danger of his brother marrying Mary and claiming the throne and prevented the marriage going ahead.1
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| | 1477 | Events occurring at some time during this year Caxton prints the first book in England William Caxton set up a printing press near Westminster and printed the first book in England. It was called 'The Dictes and Sayenges of the Phylosophers' and was a translation by Earl Rivers, the Queens brother. See AlsoEdward buys Beaudesert Castle Edward IV bought Beaudesert Castle. 2See AlsoWork starts on St. George's Chapel The construction of the massive church at Windsor Castle was begun by Edward IV. The church was not completed until 1528 in the reign of Henry VIII some fifty years later. See Also
George Duke of Clarence was accused of being involved in a plot to kill Edward and the Prince of Wales by means of 'black magic'. He was taken to the Tower of London.1
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| | 1478 | Jan 15 - Marriage of Richard, duke of York
Richard, duke of York, married Anne Mowbray, daughter of the dke of Norfolk, at Westminster. The two were only children. Anne died in 1481 at the age of 8 or 9.
See AlsoFeb 7 - Clarence sentenced to death
Clarence was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. The trial was attended by the King who took a big part in the procedures.1
See AlsoFeb 18 - Clarence executed
The Duke of Clarence was privately put to death within the walls of the Tower of London.3
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| | 1481 | Events occurring at some time during this year Dartmouth Castle construction Work began on the castle guarding the Dartmouth harbour in Devon. A chain was employed that stretched across the entrance to prevent attacks. 4
The roof and tower of Rheims Cathedral were badly damaged by fire after workmen left a lit brasier unattended overnight in the roof space.5
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| | 1482 | Events occurring at some time during this year Treaty of Arras Not to be confused with a treaty of the same name in 1435. This treaty was signed by Louis XI of France and Maximillian of Austria. It was agreed that Charles, the son of Louis, would marry Margaret, the daughter of Maximillian. Margaret's intended dowry (what she would have brought as a gift to her husband) included the counties of Artios and Burgundy. The marriage though would not take place. 6See Also | |
| | 1483 | Apr - Richard made Protector
Edward IV declared that Richard should be made Protector of England as the Prince of Wales was only twelve and too young to rule. Edward did not want the Queen and the Woodville family to have complete control of the country and by making Richard Protector, the King hoped to prevent civil war.
See AlsoApr 9 - Edward IV dies, Edward V becomes king
Upon the death of the King Edward IV, his son Edward V became King of England. The nature of Edward IV's death is not known, but could have been caused by catching malaria in France or more likely due to excessive eating which he was known to often do according to a chronicler of the time. He died on April the 9th at the age of 41. Edward was buried at Windsor in the new chapel of St. George.
See AlsoApr 29 - Woodvilles escort Edward V
The 4th of May had been set as the coronation date for Edward V, the new king. The Woodvilles wanted Edward crowned as soon as possible and they wanted Richard's role as Protector changed so that he didn't command so much power. The Woodvilles were concerned that with the death of Edward IV who had been their protector, old rivalries would resurface and their grip on power may fail. The King was at Ludlow and the Woodvilles escorted him to London via Northampton where it was agreed that they should meet Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. When Richard reached Northampton, he discovered that the Woodvilles had already left and were at Stony Stratford.
See AlsoApr 30 - Richard captures the King 
Richard, assisted by the Duke of Buckingham rode to Stony Stratford where they met with the King under the pretence of offering their condolences for the death of his father. Instead, they captured King Edward and took him directly to London and safe keeping in the Tower. Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers was arrested and imprisoned at Sherrif-Hutton Castle, near York.7
See AlsoJun 13 - Hastings executed
Lord Hastings had supported Richard against the Woodvilles and had hoped to gain some reward for his loyalty, but the Duke of Buckingham seemed more likely to be rewarded at his expense. Hastings' loyalties swayed towards the Woodvilles and when Richard found out, Hastings was arrested and executed.7
See AlsoJun 22 - Edward V declared illegitimate
To become king Richard had to remove Edward V. Richard declared that Edward IV was already married when he married Elizabeth Woodville which meant that the marriage to Elizabeth was invalid. This also meant that Edward V was born out of wedlock and not able to become king. At this time Richard also arranged that the King's brother was moved to the Tower of London from Westminster Abbey where he had been looked after by his mother Elizabeth.
See AlsoJun 25 - Earl Rivers is executed
Anthony Woodville was executed at Pontefract Castle.
See AlsoJun 25 - Duke of Gloucester nominated as King of England
After the children of Edward IV were declared illegitimate the Duke of Gloucester was nominated as the next King of England.
See AlsoJul - Murder of Princes in the Tower
At some point the yound king Edward V and his brother Richard disappeared. Whether they were murdered in the Tower of London and by whom is not known, but they were not seen of again. Later, in 1499, a man called Perkin Warbeck appeared in Ireland and claims were made that he was really Richard, one of the princes.
See AlsoJul 6 - Richard III is crowned King
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was declared the true heir to the English throne after the marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville was deemed unlawful and their sons illegitimate.
See AlsoAug - Richard goes on tour
By the end of July, Richard was travelling around the country meeting his new subjects.7
See AlsoAug 30 - Death of Louis XI
Louis XI had suffered from a series of strokes that had left him partially paralysed since 1480 and a further stroke in August of 1483 was the final one. He died a few days later. Louis had two daughters and a son. Before his death, Louis had declared that Charles, his son, should be the next King of France but because Charles was in poor health and had been given a poor education Louis specified that Anne, his eldest daughter, should act a regent until Charles was able to rule unaided.8
See AlsoSep 7 - Richard's son becomes Prince of Wales
A week of festivities preceded the investiture of Richard's son Edward.7
See AlsoOct - Buckingham's rebellion
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| | 1484 | Apr - Prince Edward dies
Richard's only son died at Middleham Castle aged only eight. Anne was unable to have any more children and she would die in the following year. This left Richard with the problem of who should succeed him after his death.
See AlsoSep - Truce signed with the Scots
A three year truce was signed at Nottingham Castle by Richard and the Scottish king James III.7
See AlsoDec - Richard returns to London
Richard was welcomed into London by the Mayor and a procession led him to Blackfriars. Christmas was spent celebrating.7
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| | 1485 | Events occurring at some time during this year Caxton publishes ‘Morte d’Arthur’ Caxton published ‘Morte d’Arthur’. 9
Queen Anne died.
See AlsoAug 7 - Henry arrives in England
Henry Tudor landed at Milford Haven and made his way north.9
See AlsoAug 22 - Battle of Bosworth
Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth and Henry Tudor was proclaimed King of England.10
See AlsoSep - Earl of Warwick arrested
The 10 year old Earl of Warwick was arrested and sent to the Tower of London. His claim to the English throne was strong and Henry VII wanted him out of the way.
See AlsoOct 30 - Henry is crowned.
Henry Tudor is crowned Henry VII at Westminster Abbey.10
See AlsoDec 15 - Birth of Catherine of Aragon
Catherine of Aragon is born at Alcala de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Her father and mother were Ferdinand and Isabella of Aragon.
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| | 1486 | Events occurring at some time during this year Lovell revolt in England. Lord Lovell leads revolt in England. (More information required) 9
Henry married Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward IV, at Westminster Abbey.
See AlsoSep - Birth of Arthur
Arthur was born several weeks early.
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| | 1487 | May 24 - Lambert Simnel crowned in Dublin
Lambert Simnel arrived in Ireland claiming to be Edward Earl of Lincoln and true heir to the English throne. He was crowned by the Irish at Dublin as Edward VI.11
See AlsoJun 16 - Battle of Stoke
Henry VII fought the Earl of Lincoln and Lambert Simnel at Stoke. The English throne was at stake. Simnel was captured and Lincoln was killed. This battle ended the War of the Roses.12
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| | 1488 | Events occurring at some time during this year Rounding of the Cape of Good Hope Bartholomew Dias, a Portuguese explorer was the first European to navigate around the southern tip of the African continent. See Also
James III king of Scotland was killed at or shortly after the battle of Sauchieburn. Several of his nobles had risen up against the king and James was forced to fight. The king's army was defeated. James fled the battle field but was killed or even murdered shortly afterwards.
See AlsoJul - Battle of St. Aubin
The battle of St Aubin was fought between an army commanded by Sir Edward Woodville, a group of Bretons who had joined his company and the French. The Bretons apparently abandoned the fight and the French soldiers killed Sir Edward and all his men, apart from one.
See AlsoNov 25 - Queen Elizabeth is crowned
Elizabeth of York was crowned. This could have been in 1487.13
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| | 1489 | Nov - Birth of Margaret
Henry VII's and Elizabeth's second child was born.11
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| | 1490 | Events occurring at some time during this year Winchester Cathedral Lady Chapel Work was carried out on the Lady Chapel of Winchester Cathedral. 14See Also | |
| | 1491 | Jun 28 - Henry (VIII) born
The future king of England Henry VIII was born at Greenwich Palace. He was the third child of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.
See AlsoQtr 4 - Perkin Warbeck arrives in Cork
The pretender to the English throne landed at Cork.
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| | 1492 | Jun - Death of Elizabeth Woodville
Elizabeth Woodville had retired to Bermondsey Abbey and it was here that she died at the age of round 55.
See AlsoAug 3 - Columbus sets sail
With three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, Columbus set sail across the Atlantic in search of a route to the Far East.
See AlsoOct 12 - Christopher Columbus 'discovers' America
Christopher Columbus landed on what he thought was the east coast of Asia believing that there was no land between it and Europe but he had landed in the Caribbean and had discovered the 'Americas'.
See AlsoNov 3 - Treaty of Etaples
The peace treaty signed by Charles VIII and Henry VII. Charles agreed not to support Perkin Warbeck and Henry agreed not pursue his claim to the French throne. Charles also had to pay Henry a large sum of money to be paid over several years.
See AlsoDec - Columbus lands at Santo Domingo
Christopher Columbus landed at Santo Domingo on the island now known as Haiti and Hispaniola which is part of the Dominican Republic.
9
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| | 1493 | Events occurring at some time during this year Henry becomes Constable of Dover Castle Henry (VIII) received his first official title before he was 2 years old. It was the Constable of Dover Castle. See AlsoCanterbury central tower building work Canterbury central tower building work undertaken including strainer arches in the crossing. 14See Also
Although less than two years old Henry (VIII) was given the title of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The Cinque ports are five south coast ports (Hastings, Sandwich, Dover, New Romney and Hythe) that were to provide the King ships to assist keep the English Channel safe from enemy vessels. The last Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports was H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
See AlsoNov 3 - Christopher Columbus discovers Dominica island
Christopher Columbus discovered Dominica island on a Sunday. The name is Latin for the word Sunday. The island should not be confused with the Dominican Republic which is a separate part of the Caribbean.
9
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| | 1494 | Events occurring at some time during this year Aberdeen University founded Aberdeen University was found in 1494/5 by William Elphinstone, the bishop of Aberdeen. 9
Henry was given the title of Lieutenant of Ireland, but his duties were carried out by (Sir Edward Poynings ?)
See AlsoOct - Henry enters the Order of the Bath
Henry was also entered as a knight into the Order of the Bath and the Duke of York.
See AlsoDec - Henry enters the Order of the Garter
Henry (VIII) was given the title of Warden of the Scottish Marches and entered into the Order of the Garter.
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| | 1495 | Feb - Charles crowned King of Naples
In 1494 Charles VIII of France had taken an army into Italy to claim the throne of Naples which he believed was his right to have. As his army met no resistance he entered Naples and had himself crowned King.8
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| | 1496 | Mar 5 - Henry VII and John Cabot
Henry VII granted John Cabot, his sons and heirs the power to explore unknown areas under the English flag. They were allowed to conquer these new lands. Although the Cabots had to fund the explorations themselves they only had to pay the Crown only one fifth of the money they made by selling the goods they found.
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| | 1497 | Events occurring at some time during this year Perkin Warbeck captured at Beaulieu Perkin Warbeck was hiding in Beaulieu Abbey where he was found by Henry VII's army and captured. 9See Also
Under the English flag, John Cabot left Bristol on his voyage of exploration across the Atlantic to find a route to Asia and to open new trade routes.
See AlsoJun - Cabot discovers Newfoundland
Expecting to find the east coast of Asia Cabot and his fleet of explorers landed on what we now know as Newfoundland or Nova Scotia.
See AlsoAug 6 - Cabot returns from voyage
John Cabot returned to Bristol after his voyage of discovery.
See AlsoDec - Vasco de Gama rounds Cape of Good Hope
Vasco de Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope to reach East Asia.
9
See AlsoDec - Sheen Palace burns down
Henry VII had plans to spend Christmas at his royal palace of Sheen but it was destroyed by fire. Alternative date of 1498. Henry had the palace rebuilt and renamed the building Richmond Palace in honour of the Earl of Richmond title that he held.15
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| | 1498 | Apr 7 - Death of Charles VIII of France
Charles VIII of France died due to complications occurred after banging his head on a low doorway as he walked through a dimly lit Amboise Castle. He was succeeded by Louis XII.
See AlsoMay - Cabot disappears on voyage
Cabot and a fleet of five ships sailed for America but were not heard from again.
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| | 1499 | Events occurring at some time during this year Construction at Bath Abbey Building work of a new church in the Perpendicular style began at Bath Abbey. 16See Also
Perkin Warbeck executed at the Tower of London.9
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Selection of references used:
1. Charles Ross,Edward IV,
2. Mike Salter,Castles and Moated Castles of Warwickshire,
3. Derek Wilson,The Tower (1078 - 1978),
4. John Kinross,Discovering Castles in England and Wales,
5. T Francis Bumpus,The Cathedtrals of Northern France,
6. The Plantagenet Chronicles,
7. Anthony Cheetham,Life and times of Richard III,
8. W.H.Hudson,France, The Nation & its Development,MCMXVII
9. Peter Potter,Data Donation,
10. Jasper Ridley,The History of England,1981
11. Alison Plowden,The House of Tudor,1976
12. Neville Williams,Henry VII,
13. S.B.Chrimes,Henry VII,1972
14. John Harvey,English Cathedrals,1961
15. Neville Williams,The life and time of Henry VII,
16. Roy Midmer,English Medieaval Monasteries 1066-1540,1979
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