Duke of Clarence

The Unfortunate Countess: Margaret Pole

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At Farleigh Castle on the 14th of August 1473, a daughter was born to the Duke and Duchess of Clarence. They called her Margaret, most likely after the Duke's sister's Margaret of Burgundy. Margaret was born during the brutal and bloody time of the Wars of the Rose - a powerful family divided by the House of York and House of Lancaster, and each believed the throne of England belonged to them. Margaret Plantagenet was born in the middle of this English chaos. At the time of [More]

Royal Blood: Deadly Betrayal of Reginald Pole

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Reginald Pole was born at Stourton Castle, Staffordshire, on 3 March 1500, to Margaret Plantagenet and Sir Richard Pole. Reginald was the grandson of George, Duke of Clarence (Isabel Neville) and great-nephew to both King Edward IV and King Richard III.  To say he had royal blood in his veins would be an understatement. Unfortunately, after the execution of his grandfather, the Duke of Clarence, his family name was severely tarnished and Clarence's lands and titles wer [More]

The Tower of London – the Most Haunted Castle in England

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The Tower of London could be called the most haunted place in London as it has seen hundred of executions. Some justified, some not. Many of the prisoners who entered the Tower only left to go to their execution. Most executions were public events and were well attended. Seems a little morbid now. Traitors could expect to be hung, drawn and quartered - the most inhumane of executions - the prisoner was hung and cut down still alive, their heart and entrails removed and [More]

The Legacy of the House of York

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Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York was the great-grandson of Edward III. He was next in line to the throne of Henry VI and often stepped in and ruled when Henry VI was incapacitated. Things would not turn out well for Richard, Duke of York and his son Edmund, Earl of Rutland - they were killed in the Battle of Wakefield in 1460. With the welfare of Henry VI still an issue, Richard's eldest son Edward, Earl of March, who had inherited the title Duke of York after h [More]

Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury

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My fascination with Margaret Pole began after watching The Tudors television series.  Margaret Pole's role in the show was minimal and only emphasized her death.  I immediately started to do research on Margaret Plantagenet - to learn about her life. I also thoroughly enjoyed Philippa Gregory's book, The King's Curse, which is historical fiction about her life. Margaret Plantagenet was born in August 1473, to George Plantagenet, Duke Clarence and his wife Is [More]