1470 Lincolnshire Rebellion facts for kids
The Lincolnshire Rebellion was a big protest against King Edward IV in 1470. It was secretly supported by Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, a powerful lord. Warwick used to be a close friend of the king, but they had a big disagreement. He didn't like the king's marriage and some of England's plans with other countries.
Why the Rebellion Started
The rebellion began because many people were unhappy. However, in those times, ordinary people could only make a big difference if powerful lords supported them. The Neville family, which Warwick belonged to, was very strong in their region.
Warwick had tried a similar trick before. The year before, he had caused another rebellion, led by someone called Robin of Redesdale. That plan worked! It tricked the king into going north, where he was captured. This allowed Warwick to control the country through King Edward for several months.
But this time, Warwick's plan didn't work as well. He wanted to reduce the power of the Woodville family, who were related to the king's wife. He did manage to weaken them a little, but he couldn't get back his old job as the king's most important advisor.
At this time, King Edward still didn't have a son to take over the throne. His brother, George, Duke of Clarence, was Warwick's friend and next in line to become king. Some historians today aren't sure how much Warwick and Clarence were really involved in this rebellion. Some even think the king might have blamed them to get rid of them for political reasons.
What Happened During the Rebellion
In 1469, King Edward was captured because he was a bit slow to react. But when the rebellion started in Lincolnshire the next year, he acted very quickly and strongly. This time, he was ready!
What Happened After the Rebellion
When it was discovered that Warwick and Clarence had helped start the rebellion, they had to run away. They fled through Kent and managed to escape to France. There, they went to the home of King Louis XI of France. King Louis then helped Warwick and his old enemy, Margaret of Anjou, become friends again.
