Identity area
Reference code
SJLM/4/2/2
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 1470 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
1 item, parchment
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Henry Stafford was the second son of Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham, and the third husband of Lady Margaret Beaufort, his second cousin. They were wedded in January 1458 and enjoyed a long and ostensibly amicable marriage until Stafford’s death in 1471. Like Lady Margaret, Stafford backed the House of Lancaster during the early years of the Wars of the Roses and fought alongside the Lancastrians at the battle of Towton in March 1461. However, following his pardon by Edward IV of England in June 1461, Stafford retained a cautious allegiance to the Yorkist King in subsequent challenges to his sovereignty. Stafford supported Edward at the Battle of Losecoat Field in 1470 and again at Barnet in 1471, where he was wounded during the conflict and later died from his injuries.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Will of Sir Henry Stafford, third husband of Lady Margaret. A later will, dated October 1471, was proved 4 May 1482. The proved version has gifts including a horse to John, Earl of Wiltshire which are not in the 1470 version.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
A transcript of the original will and a copy with transcript of the probate version are available in Finding Aids 11.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
For proved will, see: Nicholas, NH, " Testamenta Vetusa". p. 324.