Robert Brackenbury facts for kids

Sir Robert Brackenbury was an important English official who lived a long time ago, during the time of King Richard III. He was in charge of the famous Tower of London as its Constable. People often talk about him when they discuss what might have happened to the young Princes in the Tower. Sir Robert died bravely fighting for King Richard at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

Who Was Robert Brackenbury?

We don't know exactly when Robert Brackenbury was born. He was from a family that had lived in Denton, County Durham, England, for many years. His family owned large estates, including one called Saleby. This estate was very close to Barnard Castle. This castle later became the property of Richard III around 1474. Because of this, Robert Brackenbury and Richard III were neighbors and knew each other well. There's even a part of Barnard Castle still called Brackenbury Tower today!

Working for the King

Robert Brackenbury was a close friend and trusted helper of Richard III. When Richard was still a duke, Brackenbury was in charge of his money as treasurer. After King Edward IV died, Brackenbury likely traveled with Richard from the north of England to London.

Once Richard became king, he gave Brackenbury many important jobs. One of the biggest was becoming the Constable of the Tower of London. This meant he was in charge of the Tower and everything that happened there. After a rebellion led by Duke of Buckingham failed, Brackenbury received even more rewards. He was given large areas of land in the south-east of England. In 1484, he also became the High Sheriff of Kent, a key local official.

Brackenbury stayed as Constable of the Tower for his whole life, starting in July 1483. He also got a very profitable job as the Master of the King's Money and Keeper of the Exchange, which meant he was in charge of the Royal Mint. He received many other honors and duties too. In March 1485, King Richard trusted him to take his son, John of Gloucester, to Calais, where John would become a captain. In May, Brackenbury was put in charge of defending London. He earned a lot of money, more than many important noblemen! He was made a knight sometime between August 1484 and January 1485.

It seems Brackenbury was well-liked and very smart. An Italian poet named Pietro Carmeliano even dedicated one of his Latin books to him.

The Princes in the Tower

Because Robert Brackenbury was the Constable of the Tower of London, he is often mentioned in stories about the two young princes, King Edward IV's sons. These boys, known as the Princes in the Tower, disappeared while they were staying in the Tower.

One famous writer, Thomas More, wrote about what he thought happened. More said that King Richard sent a message to Brackenbury, ordering him to kill the princes. But, according to More, Brackenbury refused, saying he would never do such a thing. So, King Richard then supposedly ordered another man, Sir James Tyrrell, to go to Brackenbury. Tyrrell was told to take all the keys to the Tower for one night to "accomplish the King's pleasure."

It's important to remember that Thomas More wrote his account many years later. He was only seven years old when the events happened in 1485. So, while his story is famous, we can't be completely sure it's exactly what happened.

The Battle of Bosworth Field

In 1485, news arrived that Henry Tudor had landed in Wales, planning to take the throne. Robert Brackenbury was ordered to escort two lords, Hungerford and Bourchier, to Leicester. However, these lords managed to escape along the way.

When King Richard III marched to fight Henry Tudor, Brackenbury quickly joined him. He arrived just two days before the big Battle of Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485. In this battle, Brackenbury helped lead King Richard's army. He bravely took part in the final attack on Henry Tudor's forces. Robert Brackenbury was killed fighting right beside King Richard III.

After Henry Tudor won and became King Henry VII, he declared Brackenbury a traitor. This meant Brackenbury's family lost some of the lands he had gained from Richard III. However, in 1489, some of this decision was changed. This allowed Brackenbury's sisters and his son to get back their family's original lands.

See also

• The White Queen (miniseries), episode 9