Execution of Clarence

Question 1

what are 3 reasons for the execution of Clarence?

Answer 1

• Clarence’s Actions
• Influence of the Woodvilles
• Pressure from Edward

Question 2

how could clarence’s actions 1469-71 have influenced his execution?

Answer 2

Clarence acted treasonously against Edward

Question 3

how did clarence act treasonously against edward 1469-71?

Answer 3

• 11 July 1469: married Isabel Neville against ed’s order in secret in Calais
• 1469: Captured and imprisoned Ed
• 1470: Allied with Warwick and Margaret of Anjou to depose Ed
• was recognised by the readeption regime as the heir of the House of York as next in line to the throne if the House of Lancaster became extinct in the male line

Question 4

how did clarence act treasonously 1472-76?

Answer 4

• 1472: despite his pardon, it is possible he had been intriguing with George Neville, Archbishop of York, and John de Vere, Earl of Oxford
• Clarence wanted to make a politically advantageous marriage after the death of his wife, Isabel in 1476, that would have threatened Edward

Question 5

how did clarence act treasonously 1477-78?

Answer 5

• 1477-78: Clarence allegedly encouraged his men to spread rumours that Ed was a bastard with no right to rule
• 1477-78: Clarence petulantly shunned royal court and was reluctant to eat or drink in the king’s house, as though afraid of poisoning
• April 1477: Clarence’s treatment of Ankarette Twynho, who he accused of poisoning his wife, made a mockery of justcie
• 1477: Clarence’s use of Dr John Goddard by bursting into a council meeting at Westminster to refute charges made against his man, Thomas Burdett, was a deliberate provocation

Question 6

why is it possible Clarence had been intriguing with George Neville, Archbishop of York, and John de Vere, Earl of Oxford in 1472?

Answer 6

it was widely believed that he was in touch with Oxford and Clarence was the most obvious focus for any plot to throw Edward now that the Lancastrian line had been extinguished

Question 7

what rumour did Clarence allegedly encouraged his men to spread in 1477-78?

Answer 7

that Ed was a bastard with no right to rule

Question 8

what politically advantageous marriage did clarence wish to make after the death of isabel in 1476?

Answer 8

He wished to marry Mary of Burgundy

Question 9

why would clarence marrying mary of burgundy have threatened ed iv?

Answer 9

• the ducal house of Burgundy had a respectable claim to the English throne
• Backed by the resources of the Burgundian dukedom, Clarence may have been tempted to overthrow his brother

Question 10

why was clarence’s treatment of ankarette twynyho a threat to edward?

Answer 10

• The jury claimed that ‘for fear they gave the verdict contrary to their conscience’ and it was alleged the duke had acted ‘as though he had used a king’s power’
• made a mockery of justice

Question 11

why did clarence’s treatment of ankarette twynyho make a mockery of justice?

Answer 11

She had been forcibly brought to Warwick and executed after a show trial

Question 12

how did clarence defy edward using dr john goddard?

Answer 12

Clarence’s use of Dr John Goddard by bursting into a council meeting at Westminster to refute charges made against his man, Thomas Burdett, was a deliberate provocation

Question 13

what was thomas burdett accused of

Answer 13

Burdett was accused of using magic arts to bring about the king’s death, along with Dr John Stacey

Question 14

what was the impact of the 1477 trial of thomas burdett

Answer 14

Whilst this was a staged political trial, the fate of Burdett had obvious implications for Clarence, which he chose to ignore

Question 15

why was dr john goddard a controversial figure

Answer 15

Goddard had publicly declared Henry VI’s claim to the throne in 1470 at St Paul’s Cross

Question 16

what are some limitations to the theory that it was clarence’s actions that were the main reason he was executed

Answer 16

• Clarence had been pardoned for all his acts before 1471, and had since been rewarded by Ed
• There is no contemporary evidence that Clarence was involved in treasonous plots during the second reign - mainly just rumours
• Exemplification of his claim to succeed Henry VI if male heirs failed may have been a fake used to condemn Clarence

Question 17

why may the woodvilles have wanted to target clarence?

Answer 17

• 1469: Clarence had co-authored the manifesto with Warwick that called for the downfall of the Woodvilles
• In alliance with Warwick, Clarence had captured and executed Elizabeth Woodville’s father, Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers, and her brother John Woodville
• 1469: Warwick had orchestrated accusations of witchcraft made against Jacquetta Duchess of Bedford, Elizabeth Woodville’s mother
• It is alleged that Clarence had cast doubt upon the legitimacy of Ed’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, as well as the king’s own legitimacy, and thus on the legitimacy of her position and that of all her children by Ed

Question 18

what actions with warwick could have caused the woodvilles to hate clarence

Answer 18

• 1469: Clarence had co-authored the manifesto with Warwick that called for the downfall of the Woodvilles
• In alliance with Warwick, Clarence had captured and executed Elizabeth Woodville’s father, Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers, and her brother John Woodville
• 1469: Warwick had orchestrated accusations of witchcraft made against Jacquetta Duchess of Bedford, Elizabeth Woodville’s mother

Question 19

who did the manifesto authored by warwick and clarence in 1469 call for the downfall of?

Answer 19

the woodvilles

Question 20

how did warwick and clarence capture and execute, that would have brought the wrath of the woodvilles

Answer 20

Elizabeth Woodville’s father, Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers, and her brother John Woodville

Question 21

what did warwick accuse elizabeth woodville’s mother of in 1469

Answer 21

Warwick had orchestrated accusations of witchcraft made against Jacquetta Duchess of Bedford

Question 22

what evidence is there that clarence had targeted elizabeth woodville’s parents, perhaps drawing her ire?

Answer 22

One of Clarence’s last wishes was to make restitution for the injuries and grievance he had inflicted upon the Queen’s parents

Question 23

why is it significant that Clarence cast doubt upon the legitimacy of Ed’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, as well as the king’s own legitimacy?

Answer 23

this would also bring into question the legitimacy of elizabeth;s position and that of all her children by edward

Question 24

what evidence is there thta the woovilles may have had influence during the execution of clarence

Answer 24

Historian, Michael Hicks, has argued that the Woodvilles constituted the most powerful faction in the parliament that condemned the duke

Question 25

what are some limittations to the theory that it was the influence of the woodvilles that was the main cause of the execution of clarence

Answer 25

- Assumptions have been made about the unity of the Woodville affinity; Hastings had become hostile even though his stepdaughter was married to Thomas Grey - Parliament could not have been packed without royal consent - Mancini is the main contemporary source for this, an he was heavily influenced by the actions of the family in 1483 and the anti-Woodville propaganda of Richard III - It is not likely that Edward yielded to pressure from Elizabeth and the tales surrounding her reflect the general unpopularity of the Woodvilles rather than any truth

Question 26

what evidence is there that it was the influence of edward that was the main reason for the execution of clarence?

Answer 26

- Ed feared his international rivals were attempting to exploit the ambitions of his brother and thwarted his marriage plans - Ed was exasperated that Clarence ignored the warning implicit in the political trial of his man, Thomas Burdett, for allegedly using magic to seek the king's death - Ed had Clarence arrested, put him on trial, and led the indictment against him; Edward's dominant role was unusual. In such circumstances, no defence of Clarence was realistically possible.

Question 27

why did edward fear his international rivals were attempting to exploit the ambitions of his brother

Answer 27

- Clarence desired to marry Mary of Burgundy - Louis XI fanned Ed's suspicions by reporting remarks credited to Duchess Margaret about what Clarence would do in England if he became master of Burgundy - James III's offer to marry Clarence to his sister Margaret was rebuffed

Question 28

why may the parliament that heard clarence's trial have been biased to find him guilty?

Answer 28

Parliament which heard Clarence's trial deliberately filled with an exceptionally high proportion of royal servants and retainers of court peers

Question 29

why may the parliament which heard clarence's trial not have been able to make a clear judgement?

Answer 29

- Very little serious effort was made to substantiate the king's accusations against Clarence - No one spoke in Clarence's defence

Question 30

give evidence that Very little serious effort was made to substantiate the king's accusations against Clarence during his trial

Answer 30

a major charge regarding Clarence secretly preserving an exemplification under the great seal of an agreement made in 1470 during the Readeption, which recognised him as heir to the throne if Henry's issue failed in the male line, may have been invented by Edward himself

Question 31

what evidence is there that edward was particularly influential during the trial of clarence?

Answer 31

- he led the indictment aginst him - Ed refused to allow Clarence to defend himself by combat - Ed accepted the verdict of parliament and the plea of the commons to execute Clarence

Question 32

why may Ed have refused to allow Clarence to defend himself by combat

Answer 32

- embarrassment if ed lost - emphasised clarence's guilt

Question 33

what is a limitation to the theory that it was edward iv's influence that was the main treason for the xecution of clarence

Answer 33

Clarence's numerous betrayals had been repeatedly pardoned by Ed, but his continuing betrayals ultimately placed Ed in such a difficult position that it was impossible for the king to continually overlook Clarence's treasons if he wished his family and regime to remain secure; the removal of Clarence had become a political necessity