Biography of Thomas Tresham 1420-1471

Paternal Family Tree: Tresham

1450 Jack Cade's Rebellion

1459 Parliament of the Devils

1460 Battle of Northampton

1461 Second Battle of St Albans

1461 Battle of Towton

1470 Angers Agreement and Restoration of King Henry VI

1471 Battle of Barnet

1471 Battle of Tewkesbury

Before 1420 [his father] William Tresham and [his mother] Isabel Vaux (age 17) were married.

Around 1420 Thomas Tresham was born to William Tresham and Isabel Vaux (age 18).

In 1446 Thomas Tresham (age 26) was appointed Justice of the Peace Huntingdonshire.

In 1446 Thomas Tresham (age 26) served as an esquire for Henry VI.

In 1447 Thomas Tresham (age 27) was appointed MP Buckinghamshire.

In 1449 Thomas Tresham (age 29) was appointed MP Huntingdonshire.

In or before 1450 [his future brother-in-law] William Zouche 6th Baron Zouche Harringworth (age 18) and Katherine Plumpton were married.

1450 Jack Cade's Rebellion

On 23 Sep 1450 [his father] William Tresham was killed by a group of men as a result of a propery dispute before he was tried for treason.

On 23 Sep 1450 Thomas Tresham (age 30) injured.

In 1451 Thomas Tresham (age 31) was appointed High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire.

In 1451 Thomas Tresham (age 31) was appointed High Sheriff of Huntingdonshire.

In 1453 Thomas Tresham (age 33) was appointed MP Northamptonshire.

In 1455 Thomas Tresham (age 35) was appointed Usher of the King's Chamber.

In 1459 Thomas Tresham (age 39) was appointed MP Northamptonshire.

Parliament of the Devils

On 09 Oct 1459 Thomas Tresham (age 39) was elected Speaker of the House of Commons at Coventry [Map]. The primary purpose of the Parliament was to attaint the Yorkist leaders:

Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke York (age 48), his sons Edward Earl of March (age 17), Edmund Earl of Rutland (age 16) were attainted, as were Richard Neville 5th Earl Salisbury (age 59) and his sons Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 30) and John Neville 1431-1471 (age 28).

Before 1460 Thomas Tresham (age 40) and Margaret Zouche (age 23) were married.

In 1460 [his daughter] Isabella Tresham was born to Thomas Tresham (age 40) and [his wife] Margaret Zouche (age 24).

1460 Battle of Northampton

On 10 Jul 1460 the Yorkist army led by the future King Edward IV of England (age 18) and including Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 31), Archbishop George Neville (age 28), William Neville 1st Earl Kent (age 55), Edmund Grey 1st Earl Kent (age 43), Edward Brooke 6th Baron Cobham (age 45) and John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 22) defeated the Lancastrian army at the 1460 Battle of Northampton.

King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 38) was captured.

Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 57) was killed. His grandson Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham (age 5) succeeded 2nd Duke of Buckingham, 7th Earl Stafford, 8th Baron Stafford.

John Talbot 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 42) was killed. His son John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 11) succeeded 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury, 3rd Earl Waterford, 8th Baron Furnivall, 12th Baron Strange Blackmere, 9th Baron Talbot.

Thomas Percy 1st Baron Egremont (age 37) was killed.

John Beaumont 1st Viscount Beaumont (age 50) was killed. His son William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 22) succeeded 2nd Viscount Beaumont, 7th Baron Beaumont.

William Lucy (age 56) was killed apparently by a member of the Stafford family who wanted his wife Margaret Fitzlewis (age 21).

Thomas Tresham (age 40) fought.

William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 22) and William Norreys (age 19) were knighted.

Thomas "Bastard of Exeter" Holland was executed following the battle.

The battle was fought south of the Northampton, Northamptonshire [Map] River Nene in the grounds of Delapré Abbey.

Second Battle of St Albans

On 17 Feb 1461 the Lancastrian army defeated the Yorkist army at Second Battle of St Albans and rescued King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 39). The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30) and included Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39), John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 45), Henry Grey 4th or 7th Baron Grey of Codnor (age 26), Henry Roos and Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 33).

Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 33), William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme (age 46), John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 12) and Thomas Tresham (age 41) were knighted.

The Yorkist army included Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 32), William Fitzalan 16th Earl Arundel (age 43), John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61) and Henry Bourchier 2nd Count Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57). John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 30) was captured. Robert Poynings (age 42) and James Luttrell (age 34) were killed.

John Grey (age 29) was killed fighting for Lancaster. A death that was to have far reaching consequences; his widow Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England (age 24) subsequently married King Edward IV of England (age 18).

During the battle William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville (age 68) and Thomas Kyriell (age 65) were assigned to the protection of the King Henry VI (age 39). After the battle both were beheaded against all decent laws of battle.

William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville (age 68) was beheaded. His great granddaughter Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset succeeded 2nd Baroness Bonville.

Thomas Kyriell (age 65) was beheaded.

William Cotton (age 21) was killed.

Chronicle of Gregory 1461. 17 Feb 1461. Ande at the nyght aftyr the batayle the kynge (age 39) blessyd hys sone the Prynce (age 7), and Doctor Morton (age 41) brought forthe a boke that was fulle of orysons, and there the boke was oppenyd, and blessyd that yong chylde cum pinguedine terre et cum rore celi1, and made hym knyght. And the yong knyght weryd a payre of bregant yerys i-coveryd with purpylle velvyt i-bete with golde-smythe ys worke. And the Prynce (age 7) made many knyghtys. The fryste that he made was Androwe Trolloppe, for he was hurte and myght not goo for a calletrappe in hys fote; and he sayde, "My lorde, I have not deservyd hit for I slowe but xv men, for I stode stylle in oo place and they come unto me, but they bode stylle with me." And then come Whytyngam (age 32), Tresham (age 41), and many moo othyr, and were made knyghtys that same tyme.

Note 1. "with the richness of the earth and with the dew of heaven".

Battle of Towton

Chronicle of Gregory 1461. Ande the xxix [29] day of the same monythe of Marche, that was þe Palme Sunday, the kyng (age 18) mette with the lordys of the Northe at Schyrborne. And there was on Harrys party that was kynge-

Prynce Edwarde (age 7), Kyng Harrys son.

The Duke of Exceter (age 30).

The Duke of Somersett (age 25).

The Erle of Northehumberlond (age 39).

The Erle of Devynschyre (age 29).

The Lorde Roos.

The Lorde Bemound (age 33).

The Lorde Clyfforde (deceased).

The Lorde Nevyle.

The Lorde Wellys (age 51).

The Lorde Wylby (age 40).

The Lorde Harry of Bokyngham.

The Lorde Ryvers (age 56).

The Lorde Schalys.

The Lorde Maule (age 50).

The Lorde Ferys of Groby (age 23).

The Lorde Foschewe. [Possibly John Fortescue (age 67)]

The Lorde Lovelle (age 28).

Syr Thomas Hammys, captayne of alle the fote men.

Syr Androwe Thorlloppe.

Syr Thomas Tressam (age 41).

Syr Robert Whytyngham (age 32).

Syr John Dawne.

And the yonge Lorde of Schrouysbury (age 12), and many moo othyr, bothe lordys, knyghtys, and squyers.

Here ben the namys of the lordys that were slayne in the felde in Kynge Harrys (age 39) party.

The Erle of Northehumberlond (age 39),

The Lorde Clyfforde (deceased),

The Lorde Nevyle (age 51),

The Lorde Wellys (age 51),

The Lorde Maules (age 50),

And many moo then I can reherse; but whythe [t]es and othyr that were slayne in the fylde ys a grete nombyr, by syde xlij [42] knyghtys that were slayne aftyr; the hoole nombyr ys xxxv M1 [35000] of comeners. Jhesu be þou marcyfulle unto hyr soulys. Amen.

And the lordys before wretyn fledde, the substance in to Schotlond with the Kynge Harry (age 39) and Quene Margarete (age 31), and sone the Prynce (age 7) with hym, fulle of sorowe and hevynys, no wondyr. God knowythe, but every man deme the beste tylle the trought be tryde owte. For many a lady lost hyr beste be lovyd in that batayle.

On 29 Mar 1461 the Battle of Towton was a decisive victory for King Edward IV of England (age 18) bringing to an end the first war of the Wars of the Roses. Said to be the bloodiest battle on English soil 28000 were killed mainly during the rout that followed the battle.

The Yorkist army was commanded by King Edward IV of England (age 18) with John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 45), William Neville 1st Earl Kent (age 56), William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 30) (knighted), Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 45), Henry Bourchier 2nd Count Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57), John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 23) and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61).

The Lancastrian army suffered significant casualties including Richard Percy (age 35), Ralph Bigod Lord Morley (age 50), John Bigod (age 28), Robert Cromwell (age 71), Ralph Eure (age 49), John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby (age 51), John Beaumont (age 33), Thomas Dethick (age 61), Everard Simon Digby, William Plumpton (age 25) and William Welles (age 51) who were killed.

Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39) was killed. His son Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland (age 12) succeeded 4th Earl of Northumberland, 7th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 15th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland (age 3) by marriage Countess of Northumberland.

Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 49) was killed. He was buried at the nearby Saxton church where his chest tombs is extant. Baron Dacre Gilsland extinct.

Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 55) was killed. His son Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 33) succeeded 7th Baron Welles.

The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke Somerset (age 25), Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30), Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39) and Andrew Trollope.

Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30) was attainted after the battle; Duke Exeter, Earl Huntingdon forfeit.

Those who fought for the Lancaster included William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme (age 46), John Dudley 1st Baron Dudley (age 60), William Norreys (age 20), Thomas Grey 1st Baron Grey of Richemont (age 43), Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns (age 30), John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 12), Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 33), Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers (age 56), James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40), John Butler 6th Earl Ormonde (age 39), William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 22), Henry Roos and Thomas Tresham (age 41). Cardinal John Morton (age 41) were captured.

On 03 Apr 1461 Thomas Courtenay 14th Earl Devon (age 29) was beheaded at York [Map] and attainted.

John Heron of Ford Castle Northumberland (age 45), Robert Dethick (age 86), Andrew Trollope and his son David Trollope were killed.

Thomas Grey 1st Baron Grey of Richemont (age 43) was executed.

In 1462 [his son] John Tresham was born to Thomas Tresham (age 42) and [his wife] Margaret Zouche (age 26).

Calendars. 01 Aug 1462. Westminster Palace [Map]. Grant to the king^s uncle William Neville (age 57), Earl of Kent and lord of Fauconberg, and the heirs male of his body of the manors and lordships of Crukerne, Misterton, Glopton, Kyngeston by Yevulchestre, Somerton Erleghy Batheneston and Shekerwike, co. Somerset, Northam, Londay, Slapton, Torrybrian, Clyfton Dertmouth Hardenesse, Norton Daunde by Dertmouth, Aylesbeare and Whympell, co. Devon, and Shevyok, Antony, Portloo, Landulp, Trelowia, Northill, Landrian, Legh Durant, Oldlawitta, Penpol, Elerky and Lanyhorn, co. Cornwall, the boroughs of Crofthull and Portpigham, co. Cornwall, the lordships and manors of Ebryngton, Yeverne Courteney, Maperton, Ramsam, Wroxhale, Childefrome, Tolre Porcorum, Pountknoll, Valet, Clevecombo, Swere, Netherkentcombe and Hasilbeare, co. Dorset, the castle and lordship of Warder, co. Wilts, the lordships and manors of Chellesfelde, Esthall, Faukehnm, Ayssh and Wylmyngtou, co. Kent, and Maunsfelde, Lyndeby and Clypston in Shirwode, co. Nottingham, tho castle and lordships of Horeston and Balsover, co. Derby, the lordships and manor's of Whitle and Warpesden alias Warpelesden, co. Surrey, the manors of Bondeby, co. Lincoln, and Westle, co. Suffolk, all manors, messuages, lands, rents and services late of Antony Nuthill of Holdernesse in the county of York, all burgages, messuages, lands, rents and services late of Thomas Tresham (age 42), knight, in the town, suburb and fields of Norhampton, the manor of Wavenden, co. Buckingham, and all other lands, rents and services in those places, with all timber and lead, late of the said Thomas Tresham (age 42) in the town of Norhampton, with advowsons, knights' fees, frandchises, liberties, hundreds, courts leet, views of frank-pledge, fairs, markets, warrens, fisheries, wreck of sea, chattels of felons and fugitives and all other profits, in the king's hands by reason of an act of Parliament at Westminster, 4 November, and all the issues of the same from the first day of the reign. And if he die without male heir of his body the king grants the said lordships and manors of Crukeme, Aylesbcare, Whympell, Torribrian, Ebryngton, Yeverne Courtenay, Shevyok, Antony, Portloo, Landulp, Trelowia, Northll, Landryan, Legh Durant, Oldlawitta, Penpoll, Elerky, Norton, Croftholl, Porpighan and Lavyhome with advowsons and knight's fees to George Neville, Bishop of  Exeter (age 30), John Markham, knight, chief Justice of the Bench, Robert Danby, knight, chief justice of the Common Bench, Thomas Witham (age 42), chancellor of the Exchequer, Thomas Cooke, citizen and alderman of London, Robert Ingleton, John Payntour and Thomas Graveson for twelve years from his death.

On 25 Dec 1462 [his father-in-law] William Zouche 5th Baron Zouche Harringworth (age 60) died. His son [his brother-in-law] William Zouche 6th Baron Zouche Harringworth (age 30) succeeded 6th Baron Zouche Harringworth.

In 1464 Thomas Tresham (age 44) was pardoned.

In 1467 Thomas Tresham (age 47) was appointed MP Northamptonshire.

In 1468 Thomas Tresham (age 48) was imprisoned for having taken part in the plots of John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford (age 25) at Tower of London [Map].

On 15 Jan 1469 [his brother-in-law] William Zouche 6th Baron Zouche Harringworth (age 37) died. He was buried at Biddlesden Abbey, Buckinghamshire [Map]. His son John Zouche 7th Baron Zouche Harringworth (age 10) succeeded 7th Baron Zouche Harringworth.

Angers Agreement and Restoration of King Henry VI

On 03 Oct 1470 Henry VI (age 48) was re-adepted, ie restored, King England.

Thomas Tresham (age 50) was released.

Battle of Barnet

On 14 Apr 1471 Edward IV (age 28) commanded at the Battle of Barnet supported by his brothers George (age 21) and Richard (age 18), John Babington (age 48), Wiliam Hastings (age 40) (commanded), Ralph Hastings, William Norreys (age 30), William Parr (age 37), John Savage (age 49), William Bourchier Viscount Bourchier (age 41), Thomas St Leger (age 31), John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 45), Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh (age 40), John Scott Comptroller (age 48) and Thomas Strickland.

The Yorkists William Blount (age 29), Humphrey Bourchier (age 40), Humphrey Bourchier (age 36), Henry Stafford (age 46) and Thomas Parr were killed.

The Lancastrians ...

Warwick the Kingmaker (age 42) was killed. Earl Salisbury forfeit on the assumption he was attainted either before or after his death; the date of his attainder is unknown. If not attainted the Earldom may be in abeyance. Baron Montagu and Baron Montagu abeyant between his two daughters Isabel Neville Duchess Clarence (age 19) and Anne Neville Queen Consort England (age 14).

John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 40) was killed. Marquess Montagu extinct. He was buried at Bisham Abbey [Map].

William Tyrrell was killed.

William Fiennes 2nd Baron Saye and Sele (age 43) was killed. His son Henry Fiennes 3rd Baron Saye and Sele (age 25) succeeded 3rd Baron Saye and Sele. Anne Harcourt Baroness Saye and Sele by marriage Baroness Saye and Sele.

Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 40) commanded the left flank, was badly wounded and left for dead, Henry Stafford (age 46) and John Paston (age 27) were wounded, John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford (age 28) commanded, and John Paston (age 29) and William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 33) fought.

Robert Harleston (age 36) was killed.

Thomas Hen Salusbury (age 62) was killed.

Thomas Tresham (age 51) escaped but was subsequently captured and executed on 06 May 1471.

Battle of Tewkesbury

On 05 May 1471 those captured at the Battle of Tewkesbury were tried in the Market Square Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire [Map] by John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 46) and the Duke of Gloucester (age 18): Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke Somerset (age 32), Hugh Courtenay (age 44), Gervase Clifton (age 66), Thomas Tresham (deceased) and Humphrey Tuchet (deceased).

On 06 May 1471 those captured at the Battle of Tewkesbury: Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke Somerset (age 32), Hugh Courtenay (age 44), Gervase Clifton (age 66), Thomas Tresham (deceased) and Humphrey Tuchet (deceased) were executed. Duke Somerset extinct.

Around 1484 [his former wife] Margaret Zouche (age 48) died.

Royal Descendants of Thomas Tresham 1420-1471

Queen Consort Camilla Shand x 1

Diana Spencer Princess Wales x 3

Ancestors of Thomas Tresham 1420-1471

GrandFather: Thomas Tresham

Father: William Tresham

Thomas Tresham

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Vaux

Great x 3 Grandfather: Elias Vaux

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Vaux

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Vaux

GrandFather: William Vaux

Mother: Isabel Vaux