William Tailboys facts for kids

William Tailboys (born around 1416 – died May 26, 1464) was a rich landowner from Lincolnshire, England. He was a strong supporter of the House of Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses, a big conflict in England.

Early Life and Troubles

William Tailboys was born in Kyme, Lincolnshire. His father, Sir Walter Tailboys, was also a wealthy man who owned a lot of land in Northumberland and Lincolnshire. Their main family home was at Goltho, Lincolnshire.

From a young age, William gained a reputation for being a bit of a troublemaker. He often argued with his neighbors, especially with Lord Cromwell, who used to be a very important government official.

Early Career and Challenges

William became a Justice of the Peace (a local judge) for Lincolnshire and Northumberland in 1441. In 1445, he was chosen to represent Lincolnshire in Parliament. However, his difficult personality often got him into trouble. He was even put in prison for a short time in 1448 because of his unruly behavior and disputes. He was also accused of causing trouble for Lord Cromwell in 1449.

Role in the Wars of the Roses

William Tailboys was a loyal supporter of the Lancastrian side in the Wars of the Roses. This was a series of battles fought between two powerful families, the Lancasters and the Yorks, who both wanted to rule England.

Key Battles and Loyalty

William was knighted (made a knight) at the Second Battle of St Albans in 1461, a victory for the Lancastrians. He also fought bravely at the Battle of Towton in 1461, which was a big defeat for his side. After this battle, he managed to escape, but King Edward IV (from the Yorkist side) declared him a rebel and took away his property.

Even after losing his lands, William remained loyal to the Lancastrian cause. He joined Queen Margaret (the Lancastrian queen) in Scotland in 1461. In 1462, he became the Captain of Alnwick Castle, helping to hold it for the Lancastrian king, King Henry VI, who had briefly regained his throne.

Final Battle and Capture

In 1464, William Tailboys fought in the Battle of Hexham. This battle was another major defeat for the Lancastrians, who were completely beaten. William managed to escape the battlefield once more.

However, he was later found hiding in a coal pit near Newcastle. He had a large sum of money with him, about 3,000 marks (which was a lot of money back then, around 2,000 pounds). This money was meant to pay the Lancastrian army. He was captured and taken to a place called the Sandhills in Newcastle, where he was executed.

Family and Legacy

William Tailboys was buried in the Greyfriars' Church in Newcastle. He was married to Elizabeth Bonville, and they had two sons. One of his sons, Sir Robert Tailboys, later got back some of the family lands that had been taken away from his father.