Richard of York 3rd Duke of York (1411-1460)

Heir apparent to the English throne through his great grandfather King Edward III. Having a stronger hereditary claim by primogeniture than Henry VI, York still served Henry as Governor of France as Chief Minister. When Henry suffered a nervous breakdown in 1453, Margaret of Anjou, Henry's wife, claimed the regency. Parliament did not look up on her with favor, and York was appointed as Protector of the Realm. When Henry recovered, York was dismissed. York then with his brother-in-law and nephew, Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury and Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick assembled an army and had the First Battle of St. Albans May 22, 1455. Henry was captured after being wounded and was taken to London by the Yorkists. York was appointed Protector of the Realm for the second time, but was forced to flee when Margaret retaliated by gathering an army. Warwick defeated the loyal forces at the Battle of Northampton, and York returned to make a formal claim to the throne. When he was asked why he had not previously done so, his response was "though right for a time lies silent, yet it rotteth not, nor shall it perish." Henry, after a compromise was reached, was to remain on the throne for the rest of his life, but after his passing, York would become King and the succession carried on through York's heirs. Margaret did not accept this. York, along with his son, Edmund, Earl of Rutland, headed north to Sandall Castle near Wakefield on December 21. Lancastrian forces descended upon them and York led a charge against them without waiting for reinforcements. York was killed with his son at Battle of Wakefield. Margaret had them both beheaded and placed a paper crown upon the head of Richard, Duke of York. Two of his son's later both became King, Edward IV and Richard III.

Bio by: Plantagenet Crown Dynasty