Roger Bolingbroke facts for kids
Roger Bolingbroke was an English scholar and expert in stars and numbers who lived a long time ago, in the 1400s. He was known for studying the sky, predicting the future using stars (astrology), and being a very smart teacher. Sadly, he was accused of using magic to harm the King and was put on trial.
The Royal Prediction Mystery
Roger Bolingbroke was a very intelligent and learned man. He worked for Humphrey of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Gloucester, who was a powerful duke. Roger was also a personal assistant to the Duke's wife, Eleanor Cobham.
He was one of three scholars involved in a strange event. People said they were trying to cause the death of King Henry VI. Roger was called a "great and skilled man in astronomy" and was famous around the world for his knowledge.
In October 1440, Roger and another scholar named Thomas Southwell created a special star chart for Eleanor Cobham. This chart seemed to predict that King Henry would die. If the King had died, Duke Humphrey would have become King, and Eleanor would have been Queen.
When King Henry heard about this prediction, his advisors took action. They accused Bolingbroke, Southwell, and another man, John Home, of trying to kill the King using dark magic.
A woman named Margery Jourdemayne was also part of this case. She was known as "The Witch of Eye." She was accused of providing magic spells and special drinks for the plan. Only Roger Bolingbroke and Margery Jourdemayne were executed for their roles in this event.
Facing the Charges
On July 23, 1441, Roger Bolingbroke was brought before church leaders. At a public place in London called St. Paul's Cross, he openly admitted that his actions were not right for a Christian.
Around the same time, Roger also appeared before the King's advisors. He was accused of trying to betray the King (treason) and using magic (sorcery). At this point, he said that his boss, Eleanor Cobham, had told him what to do.
On November 18 of that year, Roger Bolingbroke was taken from the Tower of London to the London Guildhall. The King's special judges found him guilty of several crimes against the King. He was executed on the very same day in a place called Tyburn.
Roger Bolingbroke in Stories
Roger Bolingbroke appears as a character in William Shakespeare's play, Henry VI, Part 2. In the play, he is shown as a person who performs magic.
