Richard Grey facts for kids

Sir Richard Grey was an English knight who lived from 1457 to 1483. He was the half-brother of King Edward V of England. This means they shared the same mother.

Richard's Early Years

Richard Grey was the younger son of Sir John Grey of Groby and Elizabeth Woodville. His father died in 1461 when Richard was only three years old. Sir John Grey was fighting for the House of Lancaster in a battle.

When Richard was six, his mother, Elizabeth Woodville, secretly married King Edward IV. King Edward IV belonged to the House of York. This marriage made Richard Grey a stepson to the King.

Richard first appeared in public in 1474. He took part in jousts to celebrate his half-brother Richard becoming the Duke of York. He jousted again in 1478. This was for the Duke's marriage celebrations.

Becoming a Knight

Richard Grey became a knight in 1475. He was also nominated four times for the The Most Noble Order of the Garter. This is a very important group of knights.

His political career started in 1475 as well. He began working in Wales and nearby English counties. He was part of the council for his other half-brother, Edward. Edward later became King Edward V.

Richard Grey served as a justice of the peace in Herefordshire from 1475. He helped keep law and order. He also attended court sessions in Hereford and Ludlow in 1476 and 1477.

Working for the King

In 1479, Richard Grey was made constable of Chester Castle. A constable was in charge of a castle. The city of Bristol even asked him for help that same year. This shows he was becoming important.

He served on other legal groups in the area. He continued this work for the rest of his stepfather's rule. In 1482, he was given control of the Welsh lordship of Kidwelly. A lordship was a large area of land.

That same year, he was given a bigger role in raising the Prince of Wales. Richard Grey became a very important person in King Edward IV's government. He helped rule Wales and the English counties nearby. He also became constable of Wallingford Castle in 1482. The next year, he was given land in Essex and Northamptonshire.

Arrest and Execution

King Edward IV died on April 9, 1483. Richard Grey's half-brother, Edward V, then became King. On April 30, 1483, Richard Grey was traveling with King Edward V. Their uncle, Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers, was with them too.

They were arrested by Richard, Duke of Gloucester. This happened at Stony Stratford. The Duke of Gloucester later became King Richard III. Richard Grey and his uncle were sent to prison in the north of England.

Within a few weeks, Richard Grey's lands and jobs were given to other people. This happened even though he had not been found guilty of anything.

Later, King Edward V was declared not to be the rightful king. Then, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, became King Richard III. Richard Grey and his uncle were executed at Pontefract Castle on June 25, 1483. Richard Grey was about 26 years old when he died.