Following the reference to Cerne Abbas by Sir Frederick Treves in his book Highways and Byways of Dorset, Ricardians will be interested in this comment about another Dorset village.
Bloxworth Church (© Copyright John Lamper and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.)
Sir Frederick, after some kindly comments about the little church in the village of Bloxworth, goes on to make some not so kindly ones about one of its former rectors.
A very famous rector of Bloxworth was John Morton, Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury in the time of Henry VII. For a prelate, he led a most adventurous life, not without the usual episodes of imprisonment in the Tower and flight to Flanders. He comforted Edward IV when that king lay dying, and was the stoutest advocate of Henry’s marriage to Elizabeth of York, whereby the red rose and the white became blended in the rose of Tudor. As Bishop of Ely he takes his part in Shakespeare’s play of Richard III, wherein occurs “the incident of the strawberries”, as described by Sir Thomas More, once a page in his household.
Describing how the Duke of Gloster [sic] had asked Morton for some strawberries from his garden at Holborn, Sir Frederick tells that the Bishop replies, ‘Gladly my lord quoth he, would God I had some better thing as ready to your pleasure’.”
Sir Frederick’s comment: “These are indeed ready words for a crafty plotter like the Bishop, who wished the Duke of Gloster [sic] to perdition, and who had no “better thing” in store for him – if he had his way – than the dungeon or the headsman’s axe.”
Bibliography:
Sir Frederick Treves, Bart. GCVO, CB, LL.D, Highways and Byways of Dorset. Macmillan & Co. Ltd, 1906. No ISBN.
Tags: John Morton, Richard III
Treaty of Picquigny between Louis XI of France and Edward IV, Edward IV and many of his nobles were paid a ‘pension’ to return to England and not to take up arms against France again in his claim to the French throne. Richard Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III) is said to have opposed the treaty and refused the pension.
Tags: Edward IV, France, Richard III
On this day we remember King Richard III, who fell at the Battle of Bosworth, and those who were faithful to him.Illustration on the left: King Richard III, © Andrew Jamieson, www.medieval-arts.co.uk
on the right: The Church of St James, Sutton Cheney, where the Richard III Society commemorates King Richard III in its annual memorial service in August. It is said that Richard III heard his last Mass at this church.
Tags: Bosworth, Henry Tudor, Richard III
The following is the first in our collection of Scrabble speakers at our branch’s general meeting on 14 August 2010.
Introduction
A few months ago, when as a Scrabble Speaker volunteer I drew the letter “U”, I must admit I had no idea what to do a talk on – I could not think of even one Ricardian topic that started with the letter “U”!
But to my great relief our branch’s social secretary, Kevin Herbert, kindly came to my rescue with many suggestions, one of which was the Union of the Hanseatic Merchants, and another was the city of Utrecht.
The Union of the Hanseatic Merchants caught my imagination because Doug and I had, some years back, read a historical fiction series by Dorothy Dunnett, The House of Niccolo [i], which featured several Hanseatic captains’ derring-do on the high seas – and I was eager to learn more of the real history of the organisation.
I was also interested to know how the Hanseatic Union impacted the England of Richard III. Thank you, Kevin! You were a life saver.
Foundation of the Hanseatic League in Hamburg, c. 1241
Origins
Hansa is the old, High German word for fellowship, league or union. The Hanseatic Union was first formed in the middle of the 12th century by German (I use the word loosely since Germany did not yet exist) seafarers and merchants to lend each other mutual aid, and to protect themselves from pirates, Vikings and highwaymen as they travelled on their northern European trade routes by land and sea.[ii]
This was at a time in which there were no national navies to protect such merchants or their cargoes while in transit. There were also no authorities whose responsibility it was to regulate tariffs and trade practices, and few ports had any authorities to oversee their orderly use; people were on their own.
These enterprising German merchants chose to band together to negotiate trade agreements, provide protection for their ships’ personnel and cargo, and to make the ports safer for use by assuring proper maintenance was carried out.
The Connection with Richard III?
Some knowledge of the history of the Hanseatic Union is of interest to us as Ricardians because the Union monopolised all commodities being traded during the era of Richard III, and controlled the sea routes around England, as well as with all of England’s northern trading partners.
When Cecily Neville sent her sons Richard, Duke of Gloucester and his younger brother, George, Duke of Clarence, across the English Channel to the city of Utrecht for safe-keeping after their father Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, was killed at the Battle of Wakefield in December 1460, the boys were taking refuge in an important Hanseatic city of nearly 200 years standing.
Although at that time they were still children, Richard and George would have learned about the mercantile practices and power of the Union as they grew up, and may have observed the extent of the Hanseatic fleet of ships as they arrived in and departed from Utrecht.
Background
The first attempts at union linked the commercial centre of Lübeck, and several other German towns, but the advantages were quickly noted and taken up by other German towns along their routes – at last encompassing over 100 cities throughout the northern seas, and as far east as the current day Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. (The actual number differs according to the source.)
The Extent of the Hanse, c. 1400.
At its peak, the Hanseatic Union merchants secured the control of trade over the entire North Sea and Baltic Sea Regions, and hundreds of miles up the inland rivers of northern Europe and the Low Countries.
When Bruges joined the Union it became its most powerful city, as it was the major trade centre of all Europe in its heyday.
The products they transported were generally various grains, flax for sail-making, hemp for ropes, timber, wax, amber, furs, leather, salt herring and cod.[iii]
Though Hansa relations were primarily economic in nature, the League became very powerful both politically and in military might during the 14th Century. This was when the League waged war against Denmark and won.
The Hanseatic Legislative Assembly
A Hanseatic Diet, or legislative assembly, was established in 1284, but did not actually begin meeting regularly until the year 1356 – about 70 years later! The Diet concerned itself with negotiations with foreign towns and rulers, ratification of trading agreements, blockades, and financial and military issues.
However, some scholars consider the Diet was nothing more than a “meeting” because the Hanseatic Union had no executive officers and no common council.
And, as the scholars point out, the Hanseatic Union deliberately (and rather cagily) avoided classifying itself as a society or corporation, in order to avoid legal action against it. To quote one author:
After having deteriorated since the middle of the 15th century, English relations with the Hansa reached their lowest point when, in the summer of 1468, English ships were seized in the sound by Danish vessels.
King Edward IV straight away imprisoned the Hanseatic merchants in London and confiscated their goods in order to compensate the English merchants. The Hansa, he explained, was a society, cooperative or corporation, originating from a joint agreement and alliance of several towns and villages, being able to form contracts and being liable as joint debtors for the offences of single members.
In the Hanseatic reply the Lübeck syndicate stated that the Hansa was neither a society nor a corporation, it owned no joint property, no joint till, no executive officials of their own; it was a tight alliance of many towns and communities to pursue their respective own trading interests securely and profitably.
The Hansa was not ruled by merchants, every town having its own ruler. It also had no seal of its own, as sealing was done by the respective issuing town. The Hansa had no common council, but discussions were held by representatives of each town. There even was no obligation to take part in the Hansa meetings and there were no means of coercion to carry through their decisions. So, according to the Lübeck syndicate, the Hansa could not be defined by Roman law and was not liable as a body.[iv]
It was reported that when the King Edward IV’s men went to arrest the Hanseatic merchants, the foreigners’ true identities were tested by whether or not they could pronounce “bread and cheese” without a German accent!
Despite this action by Richard’s older brother, in general the English kings found it beneficial to support the Hanseatic Union in exchange for their support against the French.
The English merchants and the Parliament, however, resented the many Hanseatic privileges.
Despite their objections the relationship had precedence, for a Hanse of German merchants had concluded a treaty with Henry II of England as early as 1157 to be allowed to trade at fairs throughout the country.[v] From Richard I they had purchased their freedom from owing certain tolls throughout England some years later.
It was at the height of its prestige that Richard III granted preferential trade status to the Union, and for a century afterwards there was great prosperity for the traders.
Overall the Union was a force for good: it spread new centres of trade and civilisation everywhere it went: it contributed to the development of agriculture, improved commerce, perfected and upheld a standard of weights and measures, constructed canals, lighthouses and highways. And it had such an impressive navy that many sovereigns sought alliances with the Union.
Kontors, the term for these German merchant trading posts, were situated in various regions with some of the most prominent being in Russia, the Island of Gotland (Sweden), Bergen (Norway), Bruges (Flanders) and London (England). The merchants were usually confined to their own areas, with minimal interaction with the public except for trade.
The German Hansa merchants living in England were referred to by the English as “Easterlings”, since they were from the East. In London the Easterlings lived and traded at what was called the Steelyard. The Easterlings’ currency and trade practices were so dependable that, according to some sources, that is the origin of the term “sterling”, meaning quality. As in Easterling.
Hans Holbein, Georg Gisze, a German merchant in London – an Easterling (1532)
The eventual decline of the Hanseatic Union was the result of a number of factors: the growth of Dutch and English naval power, the discovery of the Americas, the founding of a new trade route to India, and the rise of sovereign states throughout other parts of Europe.
Oddly enough, the final revocation of the Hansa designation for the Hanseatic Cities in Germany occurred only in 1934 under the Nazi regime – but on Wikipedia I learned that Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck still proclaim themselves officially to be „free and Hanseatic cities‟.
The Holstentor in Lübeck
And I don’t blame them for being proud of their heritage, as the Hanseatic Union was a very impressive medieval organisation.
And it is not forgotten. I found online that there are several board games featuring the Hanseatic League available, and that in the US State of Florida keen re-enactors appear as Hanse merchants at medieval and renaissance fairs around the southern USA.
Summing Up
The Hanseatic League’s power in the economy of England in the 12th through 17th centuries would have been ubiquitous, the daily reality faced by all the monarchs. It is, therefore, worth our while to learn more about them in our mission to understand the world of Richard III.
Notes:
i http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_Niccol%C3%B2
ii http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanseatic_League
iii Kurlansky, Mark. Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World
iv Postel, Prof. Rainer. The Hanseatic League and its Decline. http://www2.hsu-hh.de/hisfrn/hanse.html, accessed 5 August 2010
v Medieval Sourcebook Online http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1194hanse-koln-london.html
Tags: Richard III, Trade
A 36ft (approx. 11 m) long sign has been erected at Bosworth Battlefield saying “Bosworth 525”. It is supposed to draw attention to the Anniversary Re-enactment of the Battle. The sign is so large that it can be seen from a mile away.
This year marks the 525th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth in which King Richard III was killed on 22 August 1485.
It is questionable whether such a Hollywood style sign is appropriate to mark the death of a person, whatever your personal view of him. It creates the image of a Disney World extravaganza rather than an interpretation of an actual battle based on factual evidence.
Source: BBC Leicester
Tags: Bosworth, Richard III
To mark the 525th anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth this year, Bosworth Battlefield has launched an international search for the descendants of those who fought at the battle on 22nd August 1485.
The Visitor Centre has a list of names of many men who fought in the battle, but there is still much to be learned about them and bring them back to live, so to speak. As Curator Richard Knox explains: “We have a list of names of men who fought at the battle from sources, including the Italian historian Polydore Vergil, but we know very little else about them. We would love to hear from families who believe their ancestors are connected to the battle and start to add some flesh to the bones of the Bosworth story.”
One of those they found is James Orrell, whose ancestor Ralph Orrell was a cousin of Lord Thomas Stanley, whom he helped to decide the battle for Henry Tudor. As a reward he was paid ten marks a year for life, for good and faithful services. Fortunately his descendant displays for us more acceptable loyalties when he says: “I can’t help but feel Ralph fought for the wrong side, but understandably you didn’t argue with the Stanleys!”
On the weekend of the anniversary itself there will be a spectacular re-enactment of the battle, to which the descendants will be invited. The event will also include a thrilling jousting tournament, majestic falconry displays, skill-at-arms, guided walks, medieval market, living history encampment and expert talks. You even get the chance to meet King Richard III at lunch with his Commanders and ask him any questions you may have about the impending battle.
You can find out more from the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre as well as Leicestershire Museums.
Tags: Bosworth, Richard III
Just a reminder that The Richard III Society, NSW Branch, is planning to remember the death of Richard III and his gallant band who fell with him (as well as those who survived) at Redmore Plain on 22nd August 1485 with a lunch at:
The Hero Of Waterloo Hotel,
cnr Windmill & Lower Fort Sts,
Millers Point, Sydney
Time: from noon
Date: Sunday, 22nd August 2010.
Room: Downstairs Luncheon Room, off the bar.
Access from Lower Fort St or through bar from Windmill St.
Do hope to see you all there!
Please let Kevin know definitely whether or not you are able to attend this function by Saturday 14th August 2010 (day of General Meeting), as he needs to provide definite numbers to Hotel management by Monday, 16th August.
Please also contact him if you need help with information on how to get there.
You can contact Kevin at social@richardiii-nsw.org.au.
Tags: Bosworth, NSW Branch, Richard III
Edward IV is crowned king of England. His youngest brother Richard is named Duke of Gloucester and made Knight of the Garter.
Tags: Edward IV, Richard III
This is the title of a ‘Special Interest Weekend to re-evaluate an historically neglected but pivotal English conflict’ which will be held from 24 to 27 March 2011 at Christ Church in Oxford in association with Holts Battlefield Tours and The Richard III Society. To a Ricardian the description of a “neglected” conflict is hardly appropriate, as it is essential to our period of interest.
Special Interest Weekends are offered every spring by Christ Church, offering sound scholarship by distinguished speakers to their visitors. Participants will stay on campus and enjoy college life. The social highlight of the weekend will be the Gala Banquet on Saturday night.
This weekend promises to take the participant through one of the most complex narratives of English History and to explore the debates surrounding the parts played, not just by the king but by the aristocracy. The talks include:
• The Origins of the Wars of the Roses
• The Role of Margaret of Anjou
• Edward IV and the Establishment of the House of York
• Richard III: Reputation and Reality
• The Army of Richard III
• Alice Duchess of Suffolk and the Wars of the Roses – this will take place at Ewelme Church, where she is buried
• The Battle of Bosworth – Dr Glenn Foard, who led the team that discovered the real battle site, will talk about their research.
What a pity that we are so far away, the weekend does promise to be fascinating! It would be good if we could find out whether the talks might be published in book format after the weekend. This would allow people, who live too far away and haven’t got the means to just pop over to Oxford for weekend, can enjoy some of it.
For a copy of the programme and a booking form click here.
Tags: Bosworth, Richard III, Wars of the Roses
Margaret, George and Richard, the three youngest children of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, and Cecily Neville, stay for a few weeks at the house, which had belonged to Sir John Fastolf, in Southwark, where they are visited every day by their eldest brother Edward, Earl of March (later Edward IV).
Bibliography: Christine Weightman, Margaret of York: The Diabolical Duchess. Amberley Publishing, Chalford, 2009. ISBN 978 1 84868 099 9 (paperback)
Illustration: Old London Bridge in 1616 with Southwark Priory, now Cathedral, in the foreground, by Claes van Visscher
Tags: Edward IV, George of Clarence, House of York, Margaret of Burgundy, Richard III
