Lambert Simnel

• in 1486, a young Lambert Simnel was chosen to play the role of Edward, Earl of Warwick in a plot to seize power. by February 1487, the plot was backed by influential figures like John De La Pole (earl of lincoln), Lord Lovell, and Margaret of York
• 2000 mercenaries led by experienced commander Michael Schwarz sailed with the rebels to rendezvous with Lambert Simnel in Ireland, where the plot had strong support from important figures like Gerald Fitzgerald (upset w henry for not being confirmed as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland)
• on May 24th, 1487, Simnel was unofficially crowned and proclaimed as king Edward VI in a ceremony performed by the Archbishop of Dublin
• the conspirators landed unopposed in England on June 4th, 1487, and were even welcomed at Barrow in Furness by one of Richard III's northern lords, Sir Thomas Broughton.
• the conspirators marched unopposed across Lancashire and Yorkshire, the nobles did not attempt to stop the invasion. henry began moving north in June, ultimately meeting with the rebels at the village of Stoke
• at the Battle of Stoke, the king had a larger army, but the rebels had a core of well-trained foreign mercenaries. during the battle, on June 16th 1487, the lightly armed Irish were destroyed by England's bowmen lead by the Earl of Oxford.
• henry did not have the outright support of any of the great nobles, but his forces were led by the loyal Earl of Oxford.
• although the mercenaries did great damage to the English line, henry was able to observe the battle from a safe distance whilst the rebel leader (Earl of Lincoln) was killed, showing the strength of henrys support as he did not need to interfere
• tudor propaganda suggested the battle was easily won, but the threat was real, as 3000 royal troops died compared to 4000 rebels. Henry took in the young lambert simnel to work in his own kitchens as a turnspit. Henry's mercy may have increased public opinion