Biography of Thomas St Leger 1440-1483
Paternal Family Tree: St Leger
1467 Tournament Bastard of Burgundy
1483 Execution of William Hastings by Richard III
In or before 1430 [his father] John St Leger (age 34) and [his mother] Margery Donet were married. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England.
Around 1440 Thomas St Leger was born to John St Leger (age 45) and Margery Donet.
In 1441 [his father] John St Leger (age 46) died.
In 1447 Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 16) and [his future wife] Anne York Duchess Exeter (age 7) were married. She the daughter of Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 35) and [his future mother-in-law] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 31). He the son of John Holland 2nd Duke Exeter (age 51) and Anne Stafford Duchess Exeter. They were half second cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 30 Dec 1460 the Lancastrian army took their revenge for the defeats of the First Battle of St Albans and the Battle of Northampton at the Battle of Wakefield near Sandal Castle [Map]. The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30), Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 24) and Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39), and included John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 25) and William Gascoigne XIII (age 30), both knighted, and James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40), John "Butcher" Clifford 9th Baron Clifford (age 25), John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby (age 50), Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 33), Henry Roos and Thomas St Leger (age 20).
The Yorkist army was heavily defeated.
Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 49) was killed. His son [his future brother-in-law] King Edward IV of England (age 18) succeeded 4th Duke York, 7th Earl March, 9th Earl Ulster, 3rd Earl Cambridge, 9th Baron Mortimer of Wigmore.
Thomas Neville (age 30), and Edward Bourchier were killed.
Father and son Thomas Harrington (age 60) and John Harrington (age 36) were killed, the former dying of his wounds the day after.
William Bonville 6th Baron Harington (age 18) was killed. His daughter Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset succeeded 7th Baroness Harington.
Thomas Parr (age 53) fought in the Yorkist army.
Following the battle Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 60) was beheaded by Thomas "Bastard of Exeter" Holland. William Bonville (age 40) was executed.
Edmund York 1st Earl of Rutland (age 17) was killed on Wakefield Bridge [Map] by John "Butcher" Clifford. Earl of Rutland extinct.
On 16 Jun 1467 a great banquet was hosted by the King's older sister [his future wife] Anne York Duchess Exeter (age 27) and, in the absence of her husband Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 36) who remained, her future husband Thomas St Leger (age 27). [his future brother-in-law] King Edward IV of England (age 25) and Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England (age 30) attended as did Antoine "Bastard of Burgundy" (age 46).
On 14 Apr 1471 [his future brother-in-law] Edward IV (age 28) commanded at the Battle of Barnet supported by his brothers [his future brother-in-law] George (age 21) and [his future brother-in-law] 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 of Gainsborough (age 40), John Scott (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, Baron Montagu forfeit; unclear as to when he was attainted. 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 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 the 6th of May 1471.
On 04 May 1471 [his future brother-in-law] King Edward IV of England (age 29) was victorious at the Battle of Tewkesbury. His brother [his future brother-in-law] Richard (age 18), Richard Beauchamp 2nd Baron Beauchamp Powick (age 36), John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 46), George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Bergavenny (age 31), John Savage (age 49), John Savage (age 27), Thomas St Leger (age 31), John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 45), Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 40) fought. William Brandon (age 46), George Browne (age 31), Ralph Hastings, Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 38), James Tyrrell (age 16), Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley (age 38) were knighted. William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 40) commanded.
Margaret of Anjou (age 41) was captured. Her son Edward of Westminster Prince of Wales (age 17) was killed. He was the last of the Lancastrian line excluding the illegitmate Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 11) whose line continues to the present.
John Courtenay 15th Earl Devon (age 36) was killed and attainted. Earl Devon, Baron Courtenay forfeit. Some sources refer to these titles as being abeyant?
John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 71) was killed. Baron Wenlock extinct.
John Delves (age 49), John Beaufort (age 30), William Vaux of Harrowden (age 35) and Robert Whittingham (age 42) were killed.
Edmund Beaufort 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 32), Humphrey Tuchet (age 37) and Hugh Courtenay (age 44) were captured.
Henry Roos fought and escaped to Tewkesbury Abbey [Map] where he sought sanctuary. He was subsequently pardoned.
In 1474 Thomas St Leger (age 34) and Anne York Duchess Exeter (age 34) were married. She the daughter of Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York and Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 58). She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Before 06 Jun 1474 [his step-daughter] Anne Holland (age 13) died.
In Sep 1475 Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 45) drowned on his return from France having probably been thrown over-board on the orders of [his brother-in-law] King Edward IV of England (age 33).
On 14 Jan 1476 [his daughter] Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley was born to Thomas St Leger (age 36) and [his wife] Anne York Duchess Exeter (age 36). Her mother died in childbirth. She was buried at St Leger Chantry, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 17 Apr 1483 the coffin of [his former brother-in-law] Edward IV (deceased) was carried to Westminster Abbey [Map] by Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle (age 21), John Savage (age 39), Thomas Wortley (age 50), Thomas Molyneux (age 38), probably John Welles 1st Viscount Welles (age 33) who had married Edward's daughter Cecily), John Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne (age 41), Walter Hungerford (age 19), Guy Wolston (age 50), John Sapcote (age 35), Thomas Tyrrell (age 30), John Risley, Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 15), John Norreys, Louis de Bretelles and John Comyn 4th Lord Baddenoch.
Those in the procession included:
Thomas St Leger (age 43), widow of Edward's sister Anne.
William Parr (age 49).
William Stonor (age 33).
Henry Ferrers (age 40).
James Radclyffe (age 43).
George Browne (age 43).
Gilbert Debenham (age 51).
John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 58) walked in front of the coffin with Edward's personal arms.
John Marlow Abbot Bermondsey followed by:
Bishop Thomas Kempe (age 93).
Bishop John Hales (age 83) (Bishop of Chester?).
Bishop Robert Stillington (age 63).
Bishop Edward Story.
Bishop William Dudley (age 58).
Cardinal John Morton (age 63) (as Bishop of Ely).
Bishop Edmund Tuchet (age 40) (as Bishop of Rochester).
Bishop Peter Courtenay, and.
Bishop Lionel Woodville (age 36).
Archbishop Thomas Rotherham (age 59) brought up the rear.
Cardinal Thomas Bourchier (age 65), then Archbishop of Canterbury, took no part due to infirmity.
John de la Pole 1st Earl Lincoln (age 21); the King's nephew,.
William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 52).
Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset (age 28).
William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon (age 32) (some sources say Earl of Huntingindon?).
William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley (age 57).
Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby (age 48).
Richard Fiennes 7th Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 68).
John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley (age 82).
George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Bergavenny (age 43).
John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 57).
Walter Devereux Baron Ferrers of Chartley (age 51).
Edward Grey 1st Viscount Lisle (age 51).
Henry Lovell 9th Baron Marshal 8th Baron Morley (age 7).
Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers (age 30).
John Brooke 7th Baron Cobham (age 35).
Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 50).
Chronicle of Jean Molinet Chapter 100. [13 Jun 1483]. That same day arrived at the Tower of London, the Duke of Buckingham (age 28), who was accused of having extinguished and killed the said children, because he claimed to have a right to the crown; and the Lord of Hastings (age 52), the Great Chamberlain of England, captain of Calais, and guardian of the said children, had his head severed on a block, as he was suspected of intending to betray the king in the said tower. The king inhumanely caused the Lord of Saint-Bove1 to die, to whom he had his genitals cut off, his heart and entrails pulled from his body, and had them burned in a pan full of fire before him; and he was asked if he wanted to drink, and he replied: 'If I drink, who will receive it?'2
Ce mesme jour arriva en la tour de Londres, le duc de Boucquinghen, lequel fut mecreu d'avoir estainct et occis lesdits enfants, à cause qu'il prétendoit avoir droict à la couronne; et le seigneur de Hastingues, grand chambellan d'Angleterre, capitaine de Calais, et nourrisseur desdits enfants, eut la teste tranchée sur un blocq, car il fut suspicîonné à vouloir trahir le roy en ladite tour. Lequel roy fit mourir inhumainement le seigneur de Sainct-Bouve, auquel il fit copper les gènitoires, tirer le cœur et les entrailles de son corps, et les fit brusler en une payelle plaine de feu devant lui; et il lui fut demandé s'il vouloit boire, et il répondit: "si je bois qui le recepvra!"
Note 1. Possibly Thomas St Leger (age 43) who was executed in November 1483 for his part in Buckingham's rebellion.
Note 2. A reference to his no longer having a stomach.
On 06 Jul 1483 [his former brother-in-law] King Richard III of England (age 30) was crowned III King of England by Cardinal Thomas Bourchier (age 65) at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Anne Neville Queen Consort England (age 27) by marriage Queen Consort England. Duke Gloucester merged with the Crown.
John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk (age 58) was appointed Lord High Steward. William Brandon (age 58), Thomas Fitzalan 17th Earl of Arundel (age 33), Thomas St Leger (age 43), Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 50), Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England (age 46), [his former sister-in-law] Elizabeth York Duchess Suffolk (age 39), Giles Daubeney 1st Baron Daubeney (age 32) and Humphrey Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 59) attended.
Robert Dymoke (age 22) attended as the Kings' Champion.
Edmund Grey 1st Earl Kent (age 66) carried The Pointed Sword of Justice. Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 40) carried the Crown. Francis Lovell 1st Viscount Lovell (age 27) carried the Third Sword of State. John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk (age 40) carried the Sceptre. John de la Pole 1st Earl Lincoln (age 21) carried the Cross and Ball. Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham (age 28) carried the king's train. Edward Stafford 2nd Earl Wiltshire (age 13) bore the Queen's Crown.
Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby (age 48) carried the Lord High Constable's Mace. Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 40) held Queen Anne's train. Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland (age 34) carried The Blunt Sword of Mercy. Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby (age 30) was appointed Knight of the Bath.
Humphrey Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland attended.
[his former mother-in-law] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 68) refused to attend the Coronation of Richard III. History doesn't record her reason.
On 08 Nov 1483 Thomas St Leger (age 43) was executed at Exeter Castle [Map].
Historie of Great Britain by John Speed Book 9 Chapter 36. [08 Nov 1483] ... and at Exceter [Map] for the like cause dyed Sir Thomas Sentleger (age 43), who had married Lady Anne Dutchess of Excester, King Richards own sister, with others; so jealous was the King of his usurped Crowne;
Croyland Chronicle 1483. [08 Nov 1483]. One most noble knight of that city perished, Thomas Saint Leger (age 43) by name, to save whose life very large sums of money were offered; but all in vain, for he underwent his sentence of capital punishment.
Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 10 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 15 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 10 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 10 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks
Kings France: Great x 14 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 18 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph St Leger
Great x 3 Grandfather: Bartholemew St Leger
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph St Leger
Great x 1 Grandfather: Arnold St Leger
GrandFather: Arnold St Leger 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Charleton 1st Baron Cherleton
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Charleton 2nd Baron Cherleton
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hawise "Lady of Powys" Mathrafal Baroness Cherleton
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Charleton 3rd Baron Cherleton 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March 
3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Mortimer 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Charleton 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Stafford 1st Baron Stafford
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Basset 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Stafford Baroness Cherleton and Talbot 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Audley Countess Stafford Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Clare Countess Gloucester 
Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Father: John St Leger 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Thomas St Leger 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: James Donet
Mother: Margery Donet
