Warbeck, Perkin

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Warbeck, Perkin (1474–99). Warbeck was a troublesome pretender to Henry VII's crown. He claimed to be Richard, duke of York, the younger of the two princes, sons of Edward IV. He was in fact born in Tournai. When he appeared in Cork in 1491 he was taken up by a number of people who wished to embarrass Henry, including the earls of Kildare and Desmond, Charles VIII of France, and Margaret, dowager duchess of Burgundy. In 1494 he was recognized by Maximilian, Holy Roman emperor, as king of England and provided with an expeditionary force in 1495. James IV of Scotland welcomed him and gave him his cousin in marriage. In 1497 he landed in Cornwall, won some support, but failed to take Exeter or Taunton. He surrendered at Beaulieu and was spared his life on confession. In 1499, having attempted to escape from the Tower, he was hanged at Tyburn. His wife, daughter of the earl of Huntly, was treated kindly by Henry and made three further marriages.

J. A. Cannon