The title says it all. In this timeline, Richard, 3rd Duke of York somehow manages to escape the Battle of Wakefield and evade capture by the Lancastrians, eventually regrouping with some of his Yorkist supporters. Now what? I'd imagine that Richard would probably be able to capture the crown assuming things play out similarly to how they did in OTL. So when Richard ascends the throne what would his reign look like? I can see him reinstating many of the policies he introduced during his time as Lord Protector as well as introducing the ones he wasn't able to introduce back then. Obviously, Edward IV's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville is butterflied or if it still happens (which seems extremely unlikely) annulled quickly. But who would Edward IV marry instead? Would Richard adopt a Pro or Anti-French policy?
WI: Richard, 3rd Duke of York lives to become King?
- Thread starter RedKing
- Start date
Having Richard around should got a king way to Edward straightening out. Also, if Richard escapes decent odds, Edmund of Rutland also escaped.
Though if Richard (and possibly Edmund) are alive Edward’s OTL explanation that the parhelion represented the three sons of York (himself, George and Richard) won’t work quite as well, so the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross might not go as well.
Though if Richard (and possibly Edmund) are alive Edward’s OTL explanation that the parhelion represented the three sons of York (himself, George and Richard) won’t work quite as well, so the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross might not go as well.
Definitely, Richard surviving would almost definitely prevent Edward from marrying as low as he did in OTL, which would be beneficial for Edward and his children in the long run. Edmund surviving is also likely, which would make the House of York even more stable.
This would be really interesting. If Edward fails to come up with a story to boost his soldiers morale, he could end up losing the Battle and possibly dying, If that were to happen it leaves Richard and Edmund in a tricky situation. AIUI the plan was that prior to St Mortimer’s Cross, Jasper’s forces were to meet with Margaret of Anjou’s army. If the two Lancastrian armies can meet up, that would mean the Second Battle of St Alban’s would be an even bigger victory than in OTL and might help the Lancastrians take back London or increase their chances of victory at alt Tewkesbury, while Richard and Edmund have to try and piece together an army in the north, which could drag out the war for a longer period than OTL.
Alternatively, Edward could come up with an alternative explanation for the parhelion, such as the three subs representing himself, his Father and his brother, or maybe the Holy Trinity.
Honestly, the best thing Richard of York did for the Yorkist dynasty was die exactly when he did. He, like John of Gaunt six decades earlier, was simply too unpopular and too unbending in his ways to ever reign successfully. He needed to die to make way for a more popular son.
Her first husband, Sir John Grey of Groby, was killed at Second St. Albans, seven weeks after Richard was killed at Wakefield. If Richard is not killed, the subsequent campaign will be substantially different and John Grey probably is not killed at all.
Hmm, this is true, but at the same time the Lancastrian army is (supposedly) raiding English towns in mass, so I suppose Richard could try and use it to his advantage.
True, I forgot that John Grey was still alive at this point.
Indeed: the Scots and Welsh Borderers in the Lancastrian army were looting freely. This behavior so alarmed the citizens of London that they barred the gates against the Lancastrians, who had to turn back north. Warwick held the city for York, and Edward was crowned there a few weeks later.
Richard had not gotten himself crowned earlier by agreement with the Lancastrians that he would wait as Henry's heir. But that agreement was voided by the Lancastrians raising an army in the north and then attacking Richard's force at Wakefield. So Edward went ahead with the crowning. If Richard escapes Wakefield, he'll do likewise.
So: Richard III (b. 1411, r. 1461-1475?), followed by Edward IV (b. 1442).
Other players in the game:
For York: George of Clarence (b. 1449), Richard of Gloucester (b. 1452)
For Lancaster: Henry VI (b. 1421), Edward of Westminster (b. 1453), Margaret of Anjou (b.1430).
If Henry and family escape the country as OTL, the Lancastrian claim remains alive and festering. For how long?
Probably less. Longevity of English Kings and Queens in that era, leaving aside those who died by violence or very young:
Henry III - 65
Edward I - 68
Edward III - 64
Henry IV - 45
Edward IV - 40
Henry VII - 52
Henry VIII - 55
Mary I - 42
Elizabeth I - 71
James I - 58
Average of 56. That includes three he'd already outlived, so he'll do better than that. But even so, Richard might not make it to 60, and 70 would be a real stretch.
OTOH, Edward would not become King until at least his late 20s, and will get several years preparation under his father. He probably doesn't become the self-indulgent blob of OTL, and lives longer. George and Richard were only 11 and 8 when their father died; ten more years of having him there will change their personalities.
Perhaps George, Duke of Clarence's proposed marriage to Mary of Burgundy would go through.