Tiptoft, John, 1st earl of Worcester

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Tiptoft, John, 1st earl of Worcester (c.1427–70). Unusually for a peer's heir, Tiptoft spent three years with a tutor in University College, Oxford, immediately before his father's death in 1443. His creation as earl in 1449 coincided with his (first) marriage to the widowed duchess of Warwick. He was treasurer of England from 1452 to 1454, and probably became a sympathizer with Richard of York. In 1458 he distanced himself by going to Jerusalem, afterwards touring Italy and studying at Padua until 1461; humanists enjoyed his patronage, and he collected books later bequeathed to Oxford University. Edward IV appointed him a councillor and constable of England. Tiptoft became notorious for his trials of traitors, allegedly by ‘the law of Padua’ but actually by the supranational law of arms. He was captured when Warwick restored Henry VI, tried, and executed.

R. L. Storey

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John Tiptoft earl of Worcester

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