Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck: Pretenders to the Throne?

2/2/2013

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Before social security cards, driver's licenses, and DNA testing, how did you prove your identity? Join us to hear about two famous "pretenders" and their attempts to gain the English throne!

Podcaster: Elizabeth

Further Reading

For some fun starting points on the history of both the Princes in the Tower and their pretenders, Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, check out the following:

Audrey Williamson, The Mystery of the Princes: an Investigation into a Supposed Murder (Sutton Pub Limited, 2002).

Francis Bacon, History of the Reign of King Henry VIII (University Press, 1885). Full Text.

James Gairdner, History of the Life and Reign of Richard III, (including) The Story of Perkin Warbeck (Longman, Greens, & Co., 1879). Full Text.

Music: "Evening Melodrama" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Michael M. Keohane

2/2/2013 03:31:49 am

I agree that Lambert Simnel was a pretender. However, I have my doubts about Perkin Warbeck. I believe that there is a possibility that he was the younger prince, Richard. At least, Henry VII's wife and the sister of the princes thought that he was her brother.

sleeping beauty

6/24/2014 02:16:52 am

you are all very silly

Banditqueen

12/29/2019 10:36:56 pm

Why are people silly to debate one of the mysterious identities of history? Lambert Simnel was used as a real threat, possibly a decoy, to cover up the actual plot to free the real Warwick and put him on the throne. Perhaps instead of calling people names you could offer something constructive to add to the debate, you may actually find it interesting.

Banditqueen

12/29/2019 10:51:44 pm

I also have doubts about Lambert Simnel, but believe he was used as a plant or decoy to cover up the real plot, to free and crown the real Warwick.

Alternatively, the boy crowned in Dublin was actually the lost King Edward V who had been protected by John de la Pole, who was killed at Stoke. That was another possibility from sources which do not agree over his identity.

However, Perkin Warbeck had Henry Tudor really rattled. Recognised in several different countries as Richard of Shrewsbury, later Richard of England, Duke of York, son of Edward iv, named consistently as Duke of York in Ambassadors correspondences, able to raise an army or two, supported by Sir William Stanley and others and if the sketch of him is accurate is a dead ringer for a young Edward iv so could well be his son. His face was deliberately beaten to hide his identity and he got himself a royal wife. He threatened the crown for a number of years. Unfortunately, I have to disagree on the point that Elizabeth of York received him as her brother or believed he was her brother. We have no record whatsoever of how Elizabeth felt at this time. We have no evidence that she believed him or not. She didn't even meet him, Henry ensured she was kept away from him, even when he was at Court. It is possible she saw him from a window or grill, but again we don't know that she thought he was Richard. Henry could not take that chance but he may well have been.

Elizabeth

1/1/2020 09:26:34 pm

Banditqueen, you raise excellent points including the one about Elizabeth of York being kept away by Henry VII!

Esther

2/4/2013 06:31:33 pm

Very interesting podcast! I actually had no idea who they were until I heard this.

markus bead link

4/24/2013 06:36:09 am

I think this website isn't very good for the kids because it isn't simple for them to understand and there isnt alot of writen things about them for people with no speakers like me.

Elizabeth

4/25/2013 09:48:55 am

Hi Markus, yes, this website is for people looking to listen to stories on history, although we do include some suggested reading. For children interested in Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel, I would suggest the following links:

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/perkin_warbeck_rebellion.htm

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/lambert_simnel_rebellion.htm

sleeping beauty

6/24/2014 02:19:48 am

chicken head feed some chickens

Michael M. Keohane

6/25/2014 12:09:11 am

Sleeping Beauty : So you think we are silly? How about someone who comments : "chicken head feed some chickens" on a blog site for people interested in history? ;>)

Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck: Pretenders to the Throne?

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