Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Edward Stafford |
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| The Duke of Buckingham | |
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| Portrait of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, by an unknown artist, 1520, at Magdalene College, Cambridge | |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Eleanor Percy |
| Issue | |
| Lady Elizabeth Stafford, Duchess of Norfolk Lady Katherine Stafford, Countess of Westmorland Lady Mary Stafford, Baroness Bergavenny Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford |
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| Noble family | Stafford |
| Father | Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham |
| Mother | Lady Katherine Woodville |
| Born | 3 February 1478 Brecon Castle, Wales |
| Died | 17 May 1521 (aged 43) Tower Hill |
| Burial | Austin Friars Church, London |
Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (born February 3, 1478 – died May 17, 1521) was an important English nobleman. He was the son of Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, and Katherine Woodville. He was also a nephew of Elizabeth Woodville and King Edward IV. This made Edward Stafford a cousin to King Henry VIII. He spent a lot of time at the courts of King Henry VII and King Henry VIII. Sadly, he was accused of treason and executed on May 17, 1521.
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Edward Stafford's Family Background
Edward Stafford was born on February 3, 1478, at Brecon Castle in Wales. He was the oldest son of Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham. His mother was Catherine Woodville. Catherine's mother was Jacquetta of Luxembourg, a powerful noblewoman. Edward was also a nephew of Queen Elizabeth Woodville and King Edward IV.
Edward had a younger brother named Henry Stafford, 1st Earl of Wiltshire. He also had two sisters:
- Elizabeth, who married Robert Radcliffe, 1st Earl of Sussex.
- Anne, who married Sir Walter Herbert and later George Hastings, 1st Earl of Huntingdon.
After Edward's father was executed, his mother, Catherine Woodville, married Jasper Tudor. Jasper was the uncle of the future King Henry VII.
Edward Stafford's Early Career
In October 1483, Edward's father was involved in a rebellion against King Richard III. His father was executed, and his family lost their titles and lands. Edward was kept hidden during this time.
After King Richard III was defeated in 1485, King Henry VII became king. Edward Stafford was then given back his title as Duke of Buckingham. He became a Knight of the Bath and attended King Henry VII's coronation. In 1486, the King's mother, Margaret Beaufort, took care of Edward and his younger brother. It is believed that Edward was educated in her homes.
Edward was present when Henry VII's second son, who would become King Henry VIII, was made Duke of York in 1494. Edward also became a Knight of the Garter in 1495. In 1497, he was a captain in the army sent to stop a rebellion in Cornwall.
Royal Events and Important Roles
As a young man, Edward Stafford played a big part in royal weddings and welcoming important visitors. He was known for his fancy clothes. At the wedding of King Henry VII's son, Arthur, Prince of Wales, and Catherine of Aragon in 1501, Edward wore a gown said to be worth a lot of money. He was also the main challenger in the jousting tournament held the next day.
When King Henry VIII became king, Edward Stafford was given important roles. He was made Lord High Constable of England and Lord High Steward for the coronation day. He also carried the crown during the ceremony. In 1509, he became a member of the King's Privy Council, which advised the King.
In 1510, Edward was allowed to build up his manor house at Thornbury in Gloucestershire. He rebuilt it into an impressive castle with towers.
From June to October 1513, Edward served as a captain during King Henry VIII's invasion of France. He led 500 men. Around 1517, he was chosen to joust against the King, but he politely excused himself. In 1520, he and his wife, Eleanor, attended the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold, a grand meeting between King Henry VIII and the King of France.
Edward Stafford was also responsible for keeping order in south Wales. However, the King was not always happy with his results. Edward did not have much direct political power and was not part of the King's closest group of friends.
Accusation and Execution
Edward Stafford was one of the few nobles who had a strong connection to the old Plantagenet royal family. He also had many connections with other important noble families. These connections made King Henry VIII suspicious of him.
In 1520, King Henry VIII began to suspect Edward of possibly planning against him. The King personally looked into the accusations and gathered information. Edward was called to court in April 1521, then arrested and sent to the Tower of London.
He was put on trial before a group of 17 other nobles. He was accused of listening to predictions about the King's death and planning to harm the King. Edward Stafford was executed on Tower Hill on May 17, 1521. After his death, a law was passed on July 31, 1523, which meant most of his wealth was taken away from his children.
Edward Stafford's Writings
Edward Stafford was interested in books and supported writers. He asked for two translations to be made:
- A printed translation of Helyas, Knyghte of the Swanne (about the Knight of the Swan), which he ordered in 1512.
- A Lytell Cronicle, a translation of a story about the Near East. He might have asked for this in 1520 because he was planning a trip to Jerusalem.
Marriage and Children
In 1488, King Henry VII suggested that Edward marry Anne of Brittany. However, in 1489, Edward married Eleanor Percy (who died in 1530). Eleanor was the oldest daughter of Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland.
Edward and Eleanor had one son and three daughters:
- Henry Stafford, 1st Baron Stafford (born September 18, 1501 – died April 30, 1563). He married Ursula Pole.
- Lady Elizabeth Stafford (born around 1497 – died November 30, 1558). She was the second wife of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk.
- Lady Katherine Stafford (born around 1499 – died May 14, 1555). She married Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland.
- Lady Mary Stafford, the youngest daughter. She married George Neville, 5th Baron Bergavenny around June 1519.
Edward Stafford in Stories and TV Shows
Edward Stafford has appeared in several fictional works:
- His accusation and execution are shown in the famous Shakespeare play Henry VIII.
- In the 2003 TV drama Henry VIII, Edward Buckingham is played by Charles Dance.
- Buckingham is a character in the first two episodes of the TV series The Tudors (2007). He is played by Steven Waddington.
- Buckingham's fictional son is a character in the novel The Blanket of the Dark by John Buchan (1931).
