The Beaufort Family and the Wars of the Roses

The Beaufort family were loyal supporters of the House of Lancaster – no matter how bleak the situation became – and ultimately paid the price for it with the extinction of their male line. The talk explores how the elder Edmund Beaufort, duke of Somerset, was a victim of his own initial success, becoming a scapegoat for the failures of those around him, allowing his enemies the perfect opportunity to strike – something his son of the same name later also fell victim to. Their deaths, at the first battle of St Albans and Tewkesbury, eerily mirrored each other. 

The Beaufort involvement has fascinated Mike for decades, having written his thesis on the topic. It is an extraordinary story of loyalty, tragedy and self-sacrifice, and a fascinating dissection of the power of propaganda – and what it looks like to be on the receiving end of it.

 

BIO:

Author and presenter Dr Michael Jones is a leading military historian with a special interest in the Wars of the Roses. He is a member of several distinguished societies, including the British Commission for Military History and the Royal Historical Society.

Michael’s first book, The King’s Mother, a biography of Lady Margaret Beaufort, was shortlisted for the prestigious Whitfield Prize. He has published twelve titles since, including Bosworth 1485 – Psychology of a Battle, 24 Hours at Agincourt, and with Philippa Gregory, The Women of the Cousins’ War.

A driving force behind the search for Richard III, his book with Philippa Langely, The King’s Grave, reached the top 5 in the non-fiction best sellers list and was made into a film, The Lost King. His most recent work, a biography of the Black Prince, was named by the BBC History Magazine as one of its books of the year.

Michael was TV Consultant for the History Channel’s Warriors series, Channel 4’s Agincourt and Weapons that Made Britain. An enthusiastic and experienced speaker, he loves brining battles to life and offering exciting, innovative interpretations of them.

 

Date and Time:

Saturday 2nd May

Talk starts at 7.30pm

Doors open at 7.15pm

 

Location:

Old Baptist Chapel,

Old Baptist Chapel Court,

Off Church Street,

Tewkesbury,

GL20 5RZ

 

Tickets:

£5