Lionel Welles, 6th Baron Welles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lionel Welles, 6th Baron Welles
Arms of Sir Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles, KG
Born	c. 1406
Died	29 March 1461 Towton, Yorkshire
Buried	Methley, Yorkshire
Spouse(s)	Joan Waterton Margaret Beauchamp
Issue	Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles John Welles, 1st Viscount Welles Cecily Welles Margaret Welles Eleanor Welles Katherine Welles
Father	Eude Welles
Mother	Maud Greystoke

Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles (born around 1406 – died March 29, 1461) was an important English nobleman. He was a Knight of the Garter, which was a very special award. Lionel Welles served as a leader in Ireland and also helped manage the important port of Calais in France.

He died fighting for the Lancaster side during the Wars of the Roses at the Battle of Towton. After his death, his titles and lands were taken away by the king. This meant his son, Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles, could not become Baron Welles right away. The family's titles were given back a few years later.

Lionel Welles's Family

Lionel Welles was born about 1406. His father was Eudes Welles, and his mother was Maud Greystoke.

His grandfather on his father's side was John de Welles, 5th Baron Welles. His grandfather on his mother's side was Ralph de Greystoke, 3rd Baron Greystoke. Lionel also had a brother named Sir William Welles, who became a top legal officer in Ireland.

Early Life and Important Roles

Lionel's father passed away before his own father, the 5th Baron. So, when the 5th Baron died in 1421, Lionel inherited the Welles family title and lands. He was still too young to manage them himself. Because of this, a trusted family friend, Robert Waterton, looked after him and his lands.

In 1426, when he was about 20 years old, Lionel was made a knight by the young King Henry VI. A year later, he gained full control of his family's lands.

Serving the King

Lionel Welles traveled with King Henry VI to France in 1430. He was often called to join the Parliament, which was like a meeting of important people to help run the country. He also became a member of the King's close advisors.

In 1436, he helped defend Calais, an important English town in France, during a siege. He was also part of King Henry VI's royal household.

Time in Ireland and Calais

From 1438 to 1442, Lionel Welles served as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. This meant he was the King's main representative there. However, it was a challenging time, and he found it hard to keep peace between different groups.

Later, he also worked as a leader in Calais, helping to manage the town for his brother-in-law. Even with these important roles, Lionel Welles was mainly known as a landowner in Lincolnshire, England. He also served as a Justice of the Peace, helping with law and order in his home county.

Knight of the Garter

In 1457, Lionel Welles received a very high honor: he was made a Knight of the Garter. This is one of the oldest and most respected awards in England.

The Wars of the Roses

The 1450s and 1460s were a time of civil war in England, known as the Wars of the Roses. This was a fight for the throne between two powerful families: the House of Lancaster (who Lionel supported) and the House of York.

In 1459, Lionel Welles was captured by the Yorkist forces at the Battle of Blore Heath. In 1461, he joined the army of Queen Margaret, King Henry VI's wife. This army won a battle at St Albans.

However, a month later, on March 29, 1461, Lionel Welles was killed at the Battle of Towton. This was one of the largest and bloodiest battles in English history. After his death, his titles and lands were officially taken away by the new Yorkist king.

Lionel Welles was buried with his first wife in a church in Methley, Yorkshire. Their tomb has statues of them, showing Lionel in his armor.

Marriages and Children

Lionel Welles was married twice and had several children.

First Marriage

His first wife was Joan Waterton. Together, they had one son and four daughters:

• Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles, who later became the 7th Baron Welles.
• Cecily Welles.
• Margaret Welles.
• Eleanor Welles.
• Katherine Welles.

Second Marriage

In 1447, Lionel Welles married Margaret Beauchamp. Margaret had been married twice before. Her previous husband was John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset.

With Margaret, Lionel had one son:

• John Welles, 1st Viscount Welles. This son later married Cecily of York, who was the daughter of King Edward IV of England.

Through his second marriage, Lionel Welles also became the stepfather of Margaret Beaufort. Margaret Beaufort was the mother of Henry VII, who later became King of England and founded the Tudor dynasty.

Images for kids

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  St Oswald's church, Methley, near Leeds