Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... own N family, as well as those of Stapleton and Beaumont, had always been attached to the interest of the House of Lancaster. It is not, however, surprising that Francis should have joined the party of his guardian--especially as, at the time he came of age, the Lancastian party had almost collapsed. He was knighted by the Duke of Gloucester, 22nd August 1480, while on an expedition against the Scots; summoned to Parliament, 15th November 1482; created Viscount Lovel, 4th January 1483,1 and elected a Knight of the Garter. After Edward's death he was a strong supporter of the claims of Richard III., who loaded him with honours, appointing him successively Lord Chamberlain, Constable of Wallingford Castle, and Chief Butler of England. He had been Richard's companion in Middleham Castle, and had fought with him in Scotland. During the brief and turbulent reign of that monarch, which terminated in his own death on Bosworth Field, Lovel was his trusted agent and friend. Indeed, in the last charge at the Battle of Bosworth, Lovel was the only one of all the knights who charged with the King to return alive; and, as the event proved, it would have been happier for him if he had found a glorious death there. In 1485 and 1486, he raised a dangerous insurrection in Yorkshire, and almost succeeded in capturing the person of Henry VII. at York. After the rising had been suppressed, he took refuge for a time, at Colchester whence he escaped to Flanders, and, following the impostor Lambert Simnel to Ireland, he again crossed to Yorkshire in the month of June, took part in the Battle of Bramham Moor, 10th June 1486, and that of Stoke, near Newark, six days later. In the latter affair the Earl of Lincoln was killed and Lovel disappeared. He is said to...
