Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Stafford
2nd Duke of Buckingham
Coat of Arms of Sir Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, KG
Title held	10 July 1460 – 2 November 1483
Predecessor	Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke
Successor	Title forfeit
Born	4 September 1455
Died	2 November 1483(1483-11-02) (aged 28)
Spouse(s)	Katherine Woodville
Issue	Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham Elizabeth Stafford, Countess of Sussex Henry Stafford, 1st Earl of Wiltshire Anne Stafford, Countess of Huntingdon Humphrey Stafford
Father	Humphrey, Earl of Stafford
Mother	Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Stafford

Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham (born 4 September 1455 – died 2 November 1483) was an important English nobleman. He is best known for a major uprising against King Richard III of England in 1483, which is often called Buckingham's rebellion. This rebellion failed, and Henry Stafford was executed for his part in it. He is also one of the people historians consider when trying to solve the mystery of the Princes in the Tower.

Early Life and Family

Henry Stafford was the only son of Humphrey Stafford, Earl of Stafford and Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Stafford. When his father died in 1458, Henry became the Earl of Stafford. He was placed under the care of King Edward IV of England.

In 1460, when Henry was just four years old, his grandfather, Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham, died at the Battle of Northampton. This meant Henry inherited the title of Duke of Buckingham.

In February 1466, at age 10, Henry married Katherine Woodville. She was the younger sister of King Edward IV's wife, Elizabeth Woodville. Katherine was only about eight years old at the time. Henry and Katherine had five children:

• Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (born 1478 – died 1521)
• Elizabeth Stafford, Countess of Sussex (born around 1479 – died 1532)
• Henry Stafford, 1st Earl of Wiltshire (born around 1479 – died 1523)
• Anne Stafford, Countess of Huntingdon (born around 1483 – died 1544)
• Humphrey Stafford (died young)

Role in Politics

When King Edward IV died in 1483, Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, first supported the king's younger brother, Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Buckingham helped Richard become King Richard III instead of Edward IV's young sons, Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury.

However, Buckingham soon became unhappy with King Richard III. He then joined forces with Henry Tudor and Henry's mother, Margaret Beaufort. Buckingham led an unsuccessful rebellion against King Richard III.

Buckingham gathered an army from his lands in Wales. He planned to march into England to meet other rebels. But heavy rains caused the Wye and Severn rivers to flood. They became impossible to cross. After waiting ten days, Buckingham's men went home. Buckingham tried to escape in disguise but was found and betrayed by one of his own servants.

King Richard III had Buckingham executed for treason on 2 November 1483. He was beheaded in the market-place of Salisbury. His exact burial place is not known for sure.

Historians are not entirely sure why Buckingham turned against Richard III, especially since Richard had treated him well. Some even say that calling the uprising "Buckingham's Rebellion" might be wrong, suggesting others were more in charge.

The Princes in the Tower

Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, is one of the main suspects in the disappearance of the "Princes in the Tower." These were King Edward IV's two young sons, Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury. They were held in the Tower of London and were never seen again.

Some historians believe Buckingham might have had reasons to harm the princes. He was related to Edward III through his father and mother. This meant he could have hoped to become king himself one day. Or, he might have been working for someone else.

Some historians, like Paul Murray Kendall, think Buckingham is the most likely person responsible. They suggest that his execution by Richard III might mean they had a big disagreement. This disagreement could have been about the princes. Alison Weir believes Richard might have killed the princes without Buckingham knowing, and Buckingham was shocked when he found out.

A document from Portugal written around that time suggests Buckingham was responsible. It says that the Duke of Gloucester (Richard III) gave the young princes to the Duke of Buckingham, and under Buckingham's care, they died.

Another document, found in 1980, stated that the murder was "by the advice of the Duke of Buckingham." This led Michael Bennett to suggest that Buckingham and another supporter of Richard, James Tyrrell, might have killed the princes on their own. Bennett noted that Buckingham was in charge in London after the king left.

Buckingham is the only person, other than Richard III himself, named as responsible in a record from that time. However, it's unlikely he acted completely alone. If he had acted without Richard's orders, Richard could have blamed Buckingham after his execution to clear his own name. Also, Buckingham would likely have needed Richard's help to get to the princes, who were closely guarded in the Tower. Some argue that as Constable of England, Buckingham might have had special access to the Tower.

Most historians do not believe Buckingham acted without Richard's knowledge. While he might have been involved in the decision to harm them, it is widely thought that he would not have dared to act without Richard's agreement or help. Some theories suggest Buckingham might have dreamed of taking the crown himself and saw the princes' deaths as a first step.

In Fiction

Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, appears as a character in many stories. He is a major character in William Shakespeare's play Richard III. In the play, he openly helps Richard III until Richard asks him to kill the Princes in the Tower.

He is also a supporting character in Philippa Gregory's novel The White Queen (2009). He is a main character in Susan Higginbotham's novel The Stolen Crown (2010), which explores his connections with King Edward IV and King Richard III.

In Isolde Martyn’s novel The Devil in Ermine (2013), Buckingham is the main character and tells the story himself. J. P. Reedman's A Man Who Would be King (2017) also tells his story from his own point of view, showing him wanting the throne for himself.

See also

In Spanish: Henry Stafford, II duque de Buckingham para niños

• Buckingham College, Cambridge