James Blount (English soldier) facts for kids
Sir James Blount (who died in 1493) was an important English soldier. He was the commander of a strong English fort called Hammes, which was located near Calais in France.
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Who Was Sir James Blount?
Sir James Blount came from a well-known family. His father was Walter Blount, 1st Baron Mountjoy, and he was the uncle of William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy. In 1473, Sir James was chosen to be a representative in the English Parliament for the area of Derbyshire. This meant he helped make decisions for the country.
Commander of Hammes Fortress
Sir James Blount's main job was being in charge of Hammes Fortress. This was a very important military base for England. It was located in France, close to the English town of Calais. Being the commander meant he was responsible for its defense and the soldiers stationed there.
A Big Decision: Switching Sides
In 1484, two important prisoners, the Earl of Oxford and William, 2nd Viscount Beaumont, were held at Hammes. It seems that Sir James was convinced to change his loyalty. He decided to support the Lancastrian side. This was a different group from the king at the time, Richard III.
Sir James, along with the Earl of Oxford and Viscount Beaumont, secretly escaped from Hammes. They went to join Henry Tudor, who was living in France at the time. Henry Tudor would later become Henry VII of England, the new king.
Holding the Fort
When Sir James left, he bravely put his wife, Elizabeth, in charge of Hammes Fortress. She and the soldiers there defended the fort for many months against King Richard III's army. In early 1485, they finally surrendered. However, they were allowed to leave safely and travel to France.
Joining Henry Tudor
Later in 1485, Sir James Blount landed in England with Henry Tudor's forces at a place called Milford Haven. This was a very important moment in English history. Sir James was honored for his loyalty and bravery by being made a knight.
In Popular Culture
Sir James Blount is also a small character in a famous play by William Shakespeare. The play is called Richard III.
