William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings
Encyclopedia
William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings KG
(c. 1431 – 13 June 1483) was an English nobleman. A follower of the House of York
, he became a close friend and the most important courtier of King Edward IV
, whom he served as Lord Chamberlain
. He was executed on the charge of treason by Edward's brother and ultimate successor, Richard III
.
from Yorkshire
where the family had long been established. His mother was Alice Camoys, daughter of the Thomas de Camoys, 1st Baron Camoys
, by his second wife Lady Elizabeth Mortimer
, widow of Henry "Hotspur" Percy
and daughter of Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March, and Philippa, 5th Countess of Ulster, daughter of Lionel of Antwerp, second son of Edward III of England
.
Hastings succeeded his father in service to the House of York
and through this service became close to his distant cousin the future Edward IV
, whom he was to serve loyally all his life. He was High Sheriff of Warwickshire
and High Sheriff of Leicestershire
in 1455.
He fought with Edward at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross
and was present at the proclamation of Edward as king in London on 4 March 1461 and then when the new king secured his crown at the Battle of Towton
shortly thereafter. He was knighted on the field of battle. With the establishment of the Yorkist regime, Hastings became one of the key figures in the realm, most importantly as Lord Chamberlain
, an office he held for the duration of the reign and which made him one of the most important means of access to the king. He was also created Baron Hastings
, a title reinforced by grants of land and office, primarily in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire
. In 1474, he was awarded royal licence to fortify three houses in Leicestershire, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Kirby
, and at Bagworth
.
His importance in these years is recorded in a number of sources and was recognized by the greatest peer in the realm, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, who gave Hastings his widowed sister Katherine Neville, Baroness Hastings
in marriage. Katherine's first husband William Bonville, 6th Baron of Harington had been killed at the Battle of Wakefield
on 31 December 1460, leaving her with a six-month old daughter, Cecily Bonville, who succeeded to the Bonville titles and estates. Hastings and Katharine had three surviving sons, including Edward Hastings, 2nd Baron Hastings
who married Margaret Hungerford, heiress, and a daughter Anne Hastings, Countess of Shrewsbury
(c. 1471–1520), who married George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury
(1468–1538).
Despite this matrimonial relationship with the Nevilles, when Warwick drove Edward IV into exile in 1470, Hastings went with Edward and accompanied the king back the following spring. Hastings raised troops for Edward in the English Midlands
and served as one of the captains of the Yorkist forces at both Barnet
and Tewkesbury
.
His service, loyalty and ability, along with the fall of his Neville in-laws, meant that Hastings was an even more important figure during the second half of Edward IV's reign. He continued to serve as chamberlain and was also appointed to be lieutenant of Calais, which made him an important player in foreign affairs, and he was given authority over an increasingly large section of the English Midlands. At court, he was involved in two lengthy feuds with members of Queen Elizabeth Woodville
's family, most notably with her son Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset
.
After the death of Edward IV on 9 April 1483, Hastings proved a key figure in checking the dowager queen's attempt to monopolize political power for her family by appointing family members of key positions and rushing the coronation of her young son, Edward V
as king, thereby circumventing Richard, Duke of Gloucester, whom the late king had appointed Lord Protector. Hastings, while keeping the Woodville's action at check in London, informed Richard of the proceedings and asked him to hasten to London. Richard intercepted the young king, who also was on his way to London, whom his Woodville relatives. Hastings then supported Richard's formal installation as Lord Protector and collaborated with him in the royal council.
Affairs changed dramatically on 13 June 1483 during a council meeting at the Tower of London
: Richard, supported by the Duke of Buckingham
, accused Hastings and other council members, of having conspired against his life with the Woodvilles, with Hastings's mistress Jane Shore
(formerly also mistress to Edward IV and Dorset), acting as a go-between. While other alleged conspirators were imprisoned, Hastings was immediately beheaded in the courtyard.
The execution of the popular Hastings was controversial among contemporaries and has been interpreted differently by historians and other authors: while the traditional account, harking back to authors of the Tudor period including William Shakespeare
, considered the conspiracy charge invented and merely a ploy to remove Hastings, who was too formidable an obstacle to Richard's royal ambitions, others have been more open to the possibility of such a conspiracy and that Richard merely reacted to secure his position. Some authors conceded the possibilty of a conspiracy, but think it the result of Richard's grasp for the throne.
Richard did not issue an attainder
against Hastings and his family. Hence his wife and sons were allowed to inherit his lands and properties; Hastings himself was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor, next to Edward IV.
's play, Richard III
.
He is also a character in the historical fiction novel Pilliars of the Earth by Ken Follet.
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
(c. 1431 – 13 June 1483) was an English nobleman. A follower of the House of York
House of York
The House of York was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet, three members of which became English kings in the late 15th century. The House of York was descended in the paternal line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, the fourth surviving son of Edward III, but also represented...
, he became a close friend and the most important courtier of King Edward IV
Edward IV of England
Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
, whom he served as Lord Chamberlain
Lord Chamberlain
The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom and is to be distinguished from the Lord Great Chamberlain, one of the Great Officers of State....
. He was executed on the charge of treason by Edward's brother and ultimate successor, Richard III
Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
.
Life
Hastings' father was Sir Leonard Hastings, a member of the English gentry who moved his seat to LeicestershireLeicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
from Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
where the family had long been established. His mother was Alice Camoys, daughter of the Thomas de Camoys, 1st Baron Camoys
Thomas de Camoys, 1st Baron Camoys
Thomas de Camoys, 1st Baron Camoys, KG , was an English peer and soldier.De Camoys was the son of Sir John de Camoys. In August 1383 he was summoned to the House of Lords as Lord Camoys. He fought in the Hundred Years' War and commanded the left wing of the English Army at the Battle of Agincourt...
, by his second wife Lady Elizabeth Mortimer
Lady Elizabeth Mortimer
Elizabeth Mortimer, Baroness Camoys was an English noblewoman, who, as the granddaughter of Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence, was in the line of succession to the English throne. Her first husband was Sir Henry Percy, known to history as "Hotspur"...
, widow of Henry "Hotspur" Percy
Henry Percy
Sir Henry Percy, also called Harry Hotspur KG was the eldest son of Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, 4th Lord Percy of Alnwick. His mother was Margaret Neville, daughter of Ralph Neville, 2nd Baron Neville de Raby and Alice de Audley. His nickname, 'Hotspur', is suggestive of his impulsive...
and daughter of Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March, and Philippa, 5th Countess of Ulster, daughter of Lionel of Antwerp, second son of Edward III of England
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
.
Hastings succeeded his father in service to the House of York
House of York
The House of York was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet, three members of which became English kings in the late 15th century. The House of York was descended in the paternal line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, the fourth surviving son of Edward III, but also represented...
and through this service became close to his distant cousin the future Edward IV
Edward IV of England
Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
, whom he was to serve loyally all his life. He was High Sheriff of Warwickshire
High Sheriff of Warwickshire
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions...
and High Sheriff of Leicestershire
High Sheriff of Leicestershire
This is a list of High Sheriffs of Leicestershire. The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown. Formerly the High Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred...
in 1455.
He fought with Edward at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross
Battle of Mortimer's Cross
The Battle of Mortimer's Cross was fought on 2 February 1461 near Wigmore, Herefordshire . It was part of the Wars of the Roses....
and was present at the proclamation of Edward as king in London on 4 March 1461 and then when the new king secured his crown at the Battle of Towton
Battle of Towton
In 1461, England was in the sixth year of the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars between the Houses of York and Lancaster over the English throne. The Lancastrians backed the reigning King of England, Henry VI, an indecisive man who suffered bouts of madness...
shortly thereafter. He was knighted on the field of battle. With the establishment of the Yorkist regime, Hastings became one of the key figures in the realm, most importantly as Lord Chamberlain
Lord Chamberlain
The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is one of the chief officers of the Royal Household in the United Kingdom and is to be distinguished from the Lord Great Chamberlain, one of the Great Officers of State....
, an office he held for the duration of the reign and which made him one of the most important means of access to the king. He was also created Baron Hastings
Baron Hastings
Baron Hastings is a title that has been created three times. The first creation was in the Peerage of England in 1295, and is still extant. The second creation was in the Peerage of England in 1299, and became extinct on the death of the first holder in c. 1314...
, a title reinforced by grants of land and office, primarily in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
. In 1474, he was awarded royal licence to fortify three houses in Leicestershire, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Kirby
Kirby Muxloe
Kirby Muxloe is a town and civil parish west of Leicester. Its proximity to the city causes it to form part of the Leicester Urban Area. The Leicester Forest East parish border runs along the Hinckley Road A47...
, and at Bagworth
Bagworth
Bagworth is a village in Leicestershire, England, west of Leicester.-History:There are records of the manor of Bagworth from the early 14th and early 15th centuries, when it was held by the same feudal lords as the neighbouring manor of Thornton....
.
His importance in these years is recorded in a number of sources and was recognized by the greatest peer in the realm, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, who gave Hastings his widowed sister Katherine Neville, Baroness Hastings
Katherine Neville, Baroness Hastings
Katherine Neville, Baroness Hastings , was a noblewoman and a member of the powerful Neville family of northern England...
in marriage. Katherine's first husband William Bonville, 6th Baron of Harington had been killed at the Battle of Wakefield
Battle of Wakefield
The Battle of Wakefield took place at Sandal Magna near Wakefield, in West Yorkshire in Northern England, on 30 December 1460. It was a major battle of the Wars of the Roses...
on 31 December 1460, leaving her with a six-month old daughter, Cecily Bonville, who succeeded to the Bonville titles and estates. Hastings and Katharine had three surviving sons, including Edward Hastings, 2nd Baron Hastings
Edward Hastings, 2nd Baron Hastings
Edward Hastings, 2nd Baron Hastings, KB was an English peer born in Kirby Muxloe Castle, Leicestershire, England to Sir William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings and Katherine Neville. He succeeded to his title on the execution of his father William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings on 13 June 1483...
who married Margaret Hungerford, heiress, and a daughter Anne Hastings, Countess of Shrewsbury
Anne Hastings, Countess of Shrewsbury
Anne Hastings, Countess of Shrewsbury was an English noblewoman who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen consort Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII of England. Anne was the first wife of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, by whom she had 11 children...
(c. 1471–1520), who married George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury
George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury
George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, 4th Earl of Waterford, 10th Baron Talbot, 9th Baron Furnivall, KG was the son of John Talbot, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury and Lady Catherine Stafford, daughter of the 1st Duke of Buckingham....
(1468–1538).
Despite this matrimonial relationship with the Nevilles, when Warwick drove Edward IV into exile in 1470, Hastings went with Edward and accompanied the king back the following spring. Hastings raised troops for Edward in the English Midlands
English Midlands
The Midlands, or the English Midlands, is the traditional name for the area comprising central England that broadly corresponds to the early medieval Kingdom of Mercia. It borders Southern England, Northern England, East Anglia and Wales. Its largest city is Birmingham, and it was an important...
and served as one of the captains of the Yorkist forces at both Barnet
Battle of Barnet
The Battle of Barnet was a decisive engagement in the Wars of the Roses, a dynastic conflict of 15th-century England. The military action, along with the subsequent Battle of Tewkesbury, secured the throne for Edward IV...
and Tewkesbury
Battle of Tewkesbury
The Battle of Tewkesbury, which took place on 4 May 1471, was one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses. The forces loyal to the House of Lancaster were completely defeated by those of the rival House of York under their monarch, King Edward IV...
.
His service, loyalty and ability, along with the fall of his Neville in-laws, meant that Hastings was an even more important figure during the second half of Edward IV's reign. He continued to serve as chamberlain and was also appointed to be lieutenant of Calais, which made him an important player in foreign affairs, and he was given authority over an increasingly large section of the English Midlands. At court, he was involved in two lengthy feuds with members of Queen Elizabeth Woodville
Elizabeth Woodville
Elizabeth Woodville was Queen consort of England as the spouse of King Edward IV from 1464 until his death in 1483. Elizabeth was a key figure in the series of dynastic civil wars known as the Wars of the Roses. Her first husband, Sir John Grey of Groby was killed at the Second Battle of St Albans...
's family, most notably with her son Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset
Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset
Thomas Grey, 7th Baron Ferrers of Groby, 1st Earl of Huntingdon and 1st Marquess of Dorset, KG , was an English nobleman, courtier and a man of mediocre abilities pushed into prominence by his mother Elizabeth Woodville's second marriage to the king, Edward IV.-Family:Thomas was born about 1455,...
.
After the death of Edward IV on 9 April 1483, Hastings proved a key figure in checking the dowager queen's attempt to monopolize political power for her family by appointing family members of key positions and rushing the coronation of her young son, Edward V
Edward V of England
Edward V was King of England from 9 April 1483 until his deposition two months later. His reign was dominated by the influence of his uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who succeeded him as Richard III...
as king, thereby circumventing Richard, Duke of Gloucester, whom the late king had appointed Lord Protector. Hastings, while keeping the Woodville's action at check in London, informed Richard of the proceedings and asked him to hasten to London. Richard intercepted the young king, who also was on his way to London, whom his Woodville relatives. Hastings then supported Richard's formal installation as Lord Protector and collaborated with him in the royal council.
Affairs changed dramatically on 13 June 1483 during a council meeting at the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
: Richard, supported by the Duke of Buckingham
Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham
Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, KG played a major role in Richard III of England's rise and fall. He is also one of the primary suspects in the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower...
, accused Hastings and other council members, of having conspired against his life with the Woodvilles, with Hastings's mistress Jane Shore
Jane Shore
Elizabeth "Jane" Shore was one of the many mistresses of King Edward IV of England, the first of the three whom he described respectively as "the merriest, the wiliest, and the holiest harlots" in his realm...
(formerly also mistress to Edward IV and Dorset), acting as a go-between. While other alleged conspirators were imprisoned, Hastings was immediately beheaded in the courtyard.
The execution of the popular Hastings was controversial among contemporaries and has been interpreted differently by historians and other authors: while the traditional account, harking back to authors of the Tudor period including William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
, considered the conspiracy charge invented and merely a ploy to remove Hastings, who was too formidable an obstacle to Richard's royal ambitions, others have been more open to the possibility of such a conspiracy and that Richard merely reacted to secure his position. Some authors conceded the possibilty of a conspiracy, but think it the result of Richard's grasp for the throne.
Richard did not issue an attainder
Attainder
In English criminal law, attainder or attinctura is the metaphorical 'stain' or 'corruption of blood' which arises from being condemned for a serious capital crime . It entails losing not only one's property and hereditary titles, but typically also the right to pass them on to one's heirs...
against Hastings and his family. Hence his wife and sons were allowed to inherit his lands and properties; Hastings himself was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor, next to Edward IV.
In literature
He is portrayed in ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
's play, Richard III
Richard III (play)
Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591. It depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England. The play is grouped among the histories in the First Folio and is most often classified...
.
Further reading
- Seward, Desmond. A Brief History of the Wars of the Roses (Robinson, 1995)
- Ross, Charles. Edward IV (Berkeley, 1974)
- Ross, Charles. Richard III (1981)
- Carpenter, Christine. The Wars of the Roses (Cambridge, 1997)
- Horrox, Rosemary. Richard III : a study of service (Cambridge, 1989)
- Dunham, William Huse. Lord Hastings' indentured retainers, 1461-1483 (New Haven, 1955)
- Kendall, Paul Murray, Richard III, London, Allen & Unwin (1955)
He is also a character in the historical fiction novel Pilliars of the Earth by Ken Follet.