Perkin Warbeck, Pretender to the English Crown

He became famous in the reign of Henry VII through his claim to be Richard of York, the young son of Edward IV who disappeared. According to theories current in his lifetime, he might have been an illegitimate son of Edward IV, or perhaps of Edward's sister Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy by the Bishop of Cambrai.

Warbeck's claim was endorsed by his "aunt, " Margaret, Dowager Duchess of Burgundy. Other "believers" included Philip, Duke of Burgundy (grandson of Margaret's late husband); his father the Emperor Maximilian; and England's old enemies Charles VIII of France and James IV of Scots. Many believed that Warbeck must have been an illegitimate son of Edward IV in order to pull off the "imposture." Warbeck was welcomed in Ireland in 1491, and later in Scotland where he married a kinswoman of King James IV. He invaded England late in 1497, with the support of the King of Scots and money from the Emperor Maximilian, but was defeated and taken prisoner. He was hanged in the Tower after discussing escape with another Yorkist claimant, the Earl of Warwick.

Links

• Henry VII and the Pretenders
• Archaeologia: Or, Miscellaneous Tracts, Relating to Antiquity.., Volume 32 By Society of Antiquaries of London. Page 448. GoogleBooks