Notes |
- As the Wars of the Roses was breaking, Sir Robert Harcourt's sympathies were decidedly Lancastrian. He was a member of the entourage that escorted Margaret of Anjou to England for her wedding with Henry VI.
His loyalty to the crown slowly came under scrutiny, however. Almost certainly this was precipitated by the death Richard Stafford, eldest son of Sir Humphrey Stafford of Grafton, on May 22, 1448. While their retinues passed on the road outside Coventry, Richard and Harcourt exchanged words, and then blows, all of which was followed by a general melee between their retainers. Sir Humphrey was unhorsed that day and Sir Robert was indicted for murder the day following. (This launched a near four decade feud between the families. Robert was murdered at the hands of William Stafford's bastard.) Robert's ties to the queen and William de la Pole served him well, as he was absolved of the crime.
As events unfolded, the Harcourts did indeed take up the standard of York; however, the short but troubled reign of Richard III found the family siding again with the House of Lancaster. Harcourt's grandson, Richard, was Henry VII's standard-bearer at Bosworth Field. Stafford's son, Humphrey, backed Richard, and being unreconciled to events, was hanged at Tyburn. Thus ended the feud. [3]
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