De la Pole, Father and Son: The Duke, the Earl and the Struggle for Power

by Michèle Schindler

John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk (27 September 1442-May 1492), was a major magnate in 15th-century England. His youth was overshadowed by the political fall and subsequent murder of his father in 1450, who had been a favourite of King Henry VI, but was increasingly distrusted by the rest of the nobility. His second marriage, to Elizabeth of York, the sixth child and third daughter of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, made him the brother-in-law of two kings, Edward IV and Richard III. The eldest of his eleven children from the marriage, also John, would eventually be named heir to Richard III in 1484 and die in battle in the Yorkist cause. The father would outlive the son. Part of the fascination in this dual biography is the relationship between these two powerful figures and their differing involvement in the Wars of the Roses. Did John Senior approve of John Junior's rebellion and close involvement in the Simnel conspiracy? How much did he support his son in his claim to the throne? After his son's death he had to show allegiance to the new Tudor king. The differences between the political decisions of the Duke of Suffolk and the Earl of Lincoln are profound, despite the ties of blood. By focussing on these two overlapping lives, Mich�le Schindler provides a new perspective on the tumultuous events of 15th-century England and the birth of the modern nation-state.

320 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2023

Reviews

[Tony Riches · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Married' at the age of seven to the six-year-old heiress Margaret Beaufort, John de la Pole didn't have an easy start in life, as his father William was condemned for treason against King Henry VI, banished and murdered at sea.

John de la Pole's first marriage was never consummated, but his next, to the thirteen year old Elizabeth of York, daughter of Richard, Duke of York, made him a committed Yorkist.

After his son is born (following the confusing tradition of naming his son after himself), Michèle Schindler shifts into a higher gear with the story of how John, Duke of Suffolk and his son, John, Earl of Lincoln struggle for power.

I recommend this book for anyone who wishes to have a deeper understanding of the Wars of the Roses and events leading up to the Battle of Bosworth.

Tony Riches

[Allie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Unique and interesting perspective of a noble family during wars of the roses. It needed another good edit or would have been 5 stars. Too many spelling errors and sometimes the longer sentence structure made it hard to read. Otherwise research and subject matter was very well done!