(This is restarting my WI: Sir John Grey... thread)
So, at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460 Edmund, Earl of Rutland manages to flee successfully, and joins with Warwick's men. Edmund fights at the Second Battle of St. Albans - unknowingly setting off a butterfly effect that spares the life of Sir John Grey of Groby, whilst resulting in the deaths of Sir Henry Stafford and John Stafford.
As a result, Edmund fights at Towton which sets even more butterflies into play - such as the survival of Northumberland, who flees to his holdings in the North. Edward is victorious and is officially crowned in London. Edmund is invested Duke of Clarence; George is invested Duke of Bedford and Richard is invested Duke of Bedford.
1461, Warwick and his brother try to secure the North for Edward - but Nortumberland has a tight grasp, bringing more battles into existence and giving the Lancastrians - currently in Scotland - a potential pathway into England. In London, Edward begins to rely more heavily on Edmund after a while of separation - later resulting in an irritated Warwick and a less influential Hastings. Edward, as he does historically, is not keep to ally with the French, preferring a pro-Burgandian approach.
1462, Warwick begins to negotiate with the French on Edmund's behalf, but they are less eager than historically as the realm is still not stabalised due to Nortumberland's hold on the North. With Scottish troops, Margaret ventures into England and Edward is forced to bring a large army to meet her - with Edmund as one of his commanders - and there is a decisive Yorkist victory, eliminating more than half of the Lancastrian army. Northumberland escapes but most of his castles - bar Alnwick - are successfully seized, lessening his control in the North. Margaret of Anjou's force depletion prompts her to flee to France for aid. Edward discusses the possibility of creating an Anti-French alliance and his politically-savvy brother suggests a match with Marie of Brittany then, and Edward is interested. The idea begins to be discussed with his Councillors with more interest - angering Warwick. Later in 1462, Margaret arrives with a generous force from France, and arrives via the North again. Results in a bloody battle that sees the death of Nortumberland and Margaret's swift retreat to France once again. Edmund is then sent in person to negotiate with Francis, Duke of Brittany, for Marie of Brittany's hand. After some negotiating, Francis agrees to wed Marie to Edward with a decent dower and the promise of Brittany's allegiance in any potential movements against France. Edward marries Marie in December 1462. An unsuccessful, low-scale Lancastrian rebellion results in the death of young Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.
1463, Edmund is married to Anne Stafford (b. 1446) who is (along with her two sisters Katherine and Joanna (two other sisters weren't married so I assume they entered a Nunnery or died relatively young so won't inherit)) inheriting the money and lands from the Dukedom of Buckingham. Edward also invests Edmund as Duke of Buckingham. Edward begins to exchange letters with Burgundy - striving for good relations and an alliance. The idea of George, Duke of Bedford marrying Mary of Burgundy is mentioned, but not committed to. Northumberlands lands are given out mainly between Edmund and Warwick - but more to Edmund giving Warwick more reason for discontent. However, the amount of lands and money is still enough to keep him loyal.
1464, despite Warwick and Edmund's more consistent presence in the North it continues to stay mostly loyal to the Lancastrians - the Battle of Hexham and several rebellions are started on their behalf arguably thanks to Northumberland's prolonged presence in the North. This is not the end of Lancastrian resistance in the North.
1465, Warwick requests the hands of the two younger royal Dukes for his daughters. Edward is tempted to refuse, but Edmund reasons with him about how that will just further discontent Warwick, and Isabel Neville marrying a third son is not too large a threat. Edward agrees, and George, Duke of Bedford marries Isabel Neville - whilst the latter (Richard and Anne) is refused. France, enbolded by the continuing Lancastrian resistance in the North, give more to Margaret of Anjou's cause, as they believe they can win the throne for her and then end English occupation in France (Calais) which they find even more imperative given England's alliances with Brittany and Burgundy which are to either side of France.
So, by 1465 the male Yorkist family tree is looking like this:
Edward IV m. Marie of Brittany
(1) stillborn son (1463)
(2) Edward, Prince of Wales (1465-)
Edmund, Duke of Clarence and Buckingham m. Anne Stafford
(1) Richard, Earl of Rutland (1464-)
George, Duke of Bedford m. Isabel Neville
Will be posting more soon
So, at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460 Edmund, Earl of Rutland manages to flee successfully, and joins with Warwick's men. Edmund fights at the Second Battle of St. Albans - unknowingly setting off a butterfly effect that spares the life of Sir John Grey of Groby, whilst resulting in the deaths of Sir Henry Stafford and John Stafford.
As a result, Edmund fights at Towton which sets even more butterflies into play - such as the survival of Northumberland, who flees to his holdings in the North. Edward is victorious and is officially crowned in London. Edmund is invested Duke of Clarence; George is invested Duke of Bedford and Richard is invested Duke of Bedford.
1461, Warwick and his brother try to secure the North for Edward - but Nortumberland has a tight grasp, bringing more battles into existence and giving the Lancastrians - currently in Scotland - a potential pathway into England. In London, Edward begins to rely more heavily on Edmund after a while of separation - later resulting in an irritated Warwick and a less influential Hastings. Edward, as he does historically, is not keep to ally with the French, preferring a pro-Burgandian approach.
1462, Warwick begins to negotiate with the French on Edmund's behalf, but they are less eager than historically as the realm is still not stabalised due to Nortumberland's hold on the North. With Scottish troops, Margaret ventures into England and Edward is forced to bring a large army to meet her - with Edmund as one of his commanders - and there is a decisive Yorkist victory, eliminating more than half of the Lancastrian army. Northumberland escapes but most of his castles - bar Alnwick - are successfully seized, lessening his control in the North. Margaret of Anjou's force depletion prompts her to flee to France for aid. Edward discusses the possibility of creating an Anti-French alliance and his politically-savvy brother suggests a match with Marie of Brittany then, and Edward is interested. The idea begins to be discussed with his Councillors with more interest - angering Warwick. Later in 1462, Margaret arrives with a generous force from France, and arrives via the North again. Results in a bloody battle that sees the death of Nortumberland and Margaret's swift retreat to France once again. Edmund is then sent in person to negotiate with Francis, Duke of Brittany, for Marie of Brittany's hand. After some negotiating, Francis agrees to wed Marie to Edward with a decent dower and the promise of Brittany's allegiance in any potential movements against France. Edward marries Marie in December 1462. An unsuccessful, low-scale Lancastrian rebellion results in the death of young Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham.
1463, Edmund is married to Anne Stafford (b. 1446) who is (along with her two sisters Katherine and Joanna (two other sisters weren't married so I assume they entered a Nunnery or died relatively young so won't inherit)) inheriting the money and lands from the Dukedom of Buckingham. Edward also invests Edmund as Duke of Buckingham. Edward begins to exchange letters with Burgundy - striving for good relations and an alliance. The idea of George, Duke of Bedford marrying Mary of Burgundy is mentioned, but not committed to. Northumberlands lands are given out mainly between Edmund and Warwick - but more to Edmund giving Warwick more reason for discontent. However, the amount of lands and money is still enough to keep him loyal.
1464, despite Warwick and Edmund's more consistent presence in the North it continues to stay mostly loyal to the Lancastrians - the Battle of Hexham and several rebellions are started on their behalf arguably thanks to Northumberland's prolonged presence in the North. This is not the end of Lancastrian resistance in the North.
1465, Warwick requests the hands of the two younger royal Dukes for his daughters. Edward is tempted to refuse, but Edmund reasons with him about how that will just further discontent Warwick, and Isabel Neville marrying a third son is not too large a threat. Edward agrees, and George, Duke of Bedford marries Isabel Neville - whilst the latter (Richard and Anne) is refused. France, enbolded by the continuing Lancastrian resistance in the North, give more to Margaret of Anjou's cause, as they believe they can win the throne for her and then end English occupation in France (Calais) which they find even more imperative given England's alliances with Brittany and Burgundy which are to either side of France.
So, by 1465 the male Yorkist family tree is looking like this:
Edward IV m. Marie of Brittany
(1) stillborn son (1463)
(2) Edward, Prince of Wales (1465-)
Edmund, Duke of Clarence and Buckingham m. Anne Stafford
(1) Richard, Earl of Rutland (1464-)
George, Duke of Bedford m. Isabel Neville
Will be posting more soon
