Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles facts for kids

Richard Welles, 7th Baron Welles (born around 1428, died 1470), was an important English noble and soldier. He lived during a time of civil war in England, known as the Wars of the Roses. His family supported the Lancastrian side. However, Richard later became friendly with the Yorkist King Edward IV. Sadly, he was later put to death because he was linked to a plan against King Edward, called the "Welles Uprising."

Who Was Richard Welles?

Richard Welles was the only son of Lionel de Welles, 6th Baron Welles. His mother was Joan Waterton. He also had four sisters.

Richard married Joan Willoughby in 1449. She was an important heiress, meaning she would inherit a lot of land and titles from her family. Because of this marriage, Richard became known as Lord Willoughby. He was expected to become a very powerful landowner in the area of Lincolnshire.

Richard's Role in the Wars of the Roses

In his younger years, Richard Welles supported the Lancastrian side in the Wars of the Roses. This was a series of wars fought between two noble families, the Lancastrians (whose symbol was a red rose) and the Yorkists (whose symbol was a white rose), both wanting to rule England.

Richard fought for the Lancastrians in battles like the Second Battle of St Albans in 1461. He also fought at the Battle of Towton in 1461. After this battle, which the Yorkists won, it was wrongly reported that he had died. His father, Lionel, was killed at Towton. Because the Yorkists won, Richard's father's titles and lands were taken away.

Changing Sides

Even though his family lost their lands, Richard Welles was able to get a pardon from the new Yorkist king, Edward IV, in 1462. Richard had family connections to a powerful Yorkist family called the Nevilles. He decided to switch sides and help the Yorkists fight the remaining Lancastrian forces in the north of England.

Richard was with King Edward IV and fought in the Battle of Hexham in 1464, where the Yorkists won again. King Edward rewarded Richard for his loyalty. He gave Richard back his father's lands and titles. In 1467, an Act of Parliament officially restored all his family's honors. This meant he also gained the title of Lord Welles.

The Welles Uprising

Even with his lands and titles back, Lord Welles still shared power in Lincolnshire with other important nobles. In February 1470, Richard's only son, Sir Robert Welles, attacked the house of Sir Thomas Burgh, who was a friend of King Edward IV.

Some historians believe this attack was part of a bigger plan by the Earl of Warwick to cause trouble for King Edward. Others think it was just a private fight between the families.

King Edward IV called Lord Welles and his brother-in-law, Sir Thomas Dymoke, to London to explain what happened. Lord Welles first said he was too sick to travel. He eventually came to London but sought sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. This meant he was safe from arrest there. He was promised a pardon and left the Abbey.

However, Richard's son, Sir Robert, openly supported the Earl of Warwick and George, Duke of Clarence, who were rebelling against the King. Because Sir Robert refused to stop fighting, King Edward had Lord Welles and Sir Thomas Dymoke executed in Stamford on March 12, 1470. Sir Robert Welles was later defeated in battle and also executed.

After their deaths, the Welles family's lands and titles were taken away again. They were given to Sir Richard Hastings, who had married Richard Welles's daughter, Joan. However, the Welles family's titles were later given back by King Henry VII.

Family Life

Richard Welles married Joan Willoughby in 1449. She was the only daughter and heiress of Robert Willoughby. Together, they had a son and a daughter:

• Robert Welles, 8th Baron Willoughby de Eresby: He married Elizabeth Bourchier. Robert died without having any children.
• Joan Welles, 9th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby: She married Sir Richard Hastings. They had a son named Anthony, but he died before his father.

Richard's first wife, Joan, died around 1461 or 1462. He then married Margery Strangways. They did not have any children together.