It
is doubtful if this was the Richard Croft who was governor to Edward
and Edmund, the sons of Richard of York, during their boyhood. That
was more likely his younger brother, also Richard. Sir Richard’s wife
was certainly the lady governess to the two boys but this was possibly
before her marriage to him, all of which leaves us in a confused state.
Sir Richard Croft was certainly a Lancastrian supporter at the start
of the conflict. By the time of the battle of Mortimer's Cross, possibly
influenced by his wife, he was fighting on the Yorkist side. There is
some evidence that he was at the battle of Mortimer’s Cross. He may
have been at Towton and was certainly at the battle of Tewkesbury. Sir
Richard was sheriff of Herefordshire five times all told. Under the
Tudors he was Steward of the Household to Prince Arthur, and fought
at Stoke in 1487. Sir Richard and his wife were buried in Croft.
DACRE,
Ranulph, Lord
Dacre of Gilsland (k. 1461) 
Ranulph
Dacre was the second son of Thomas, Lord Dacre. His mother was Philippa,
one of the daughters of Ralph of Westmorland’s first marriage and so
a half-sister of Cecily of York, once again illustrating the tangled
loyalties of this conflict. Ranulph was a loyal Lancastrian. It is not
known if he was at the 1st battle of St Albans, but he was certainly
at the 2nd in 1461. He was possibly at the battle of Wakefield, and
it is certain he was at the battle of Mortimer’s Cross. At the battle of Towton Ranulph commanded the
left wing. After fighting through the day he was foolish enough to remove
his helmet to drink just at the moment the Duke of Norfolk’s men arrived
on the field. He was killed by an arrow. Ranulph was buried in Saxton
Church. Legend claimed he was buried upright with his horse. This legend
has since been proved to be true. A cross on the battlefield has been
given his name, and is the scene of a small service each year on Palm
Sunday, in memory of those killed in the battle.
DEVEREUX,
Walter, Lord
Ferrers (k. 1485) 
Walter
Devereux was a Yorkist supporter. As such he held many offices under
Edward IV: joint commissioner of array for Herefordshire in 1470 and
1471, for Shropshire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire in 1461 and
1469, also for Worcestershire in 1469. He served again for Herefordshire
and Shropshire in 1474. Walter was created Lord Ferrers in 1462. Fighting
on the Yorkist side at the battle of Towton, he may also have fought
at the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury. At the battle of Bosworth in
1485 Walter fought for Richard III and fell in the battle.
DORSET, Marquis
of - See GREY, Thomas
FAUCONBERG, Lord
- see NEVILLE, William
FITZALAN,
Thomas, Earl
of Arundel. K.G. (d. 1524) 
Thomas
married Elizabeth Woodville’s sister Margaret in 1464. A loyal Yorkist,
he was made a Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Edward IV. Commissioner
of array several times in his life, for Surrey, Sussex, Wiltshire and
Southampton in 1469, Sussex, Dorset, and Wiltshire in 1470 and the Isle
of Wight in 1475. On two occasions he fought for Edward IV, at the battles
of Barnet and Tewkesbury. Thomas was present at the coronation of Richard
III. In 1486 he was one of the godfathers of Prince Arthur, the eldest
son of Henry VII. Under the Tudors, Thomas was Lieutenant of the Order
of the Garter twice, in 1489 and 1517. He was also made warden of the
New Forest in 1489.
He
died in 1524 and was buried in the Church of St Nicholas, Arundel.
FITZALAN,
William, Earl
of Arundel. K.G. (d. 1487) 
Father
of Thomas Fitzalan. Married to Joan Neville, the sister of the Earl
of Warwick. Like his son a loyal Yorkist supporter, serving as commissioner
of array for many of the southern counties from 1454 to 1484. William
fought for the Yorkists at the 2nd battle of St Albans and at the battle
of Towton. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Cinque Ports in 1459 under
Henry VI and also constable of Dover Castle. Again in 1471, under Edward
IV he was Lieutenant of the Cinque Ports. William was present at the
coronation of Richard III, and at that of his successor Henry VII. He
died in 1487 and was buried in the Church of St Nicholas, Arundel.
FITZHUGH,
Henry, Lord
Fitzhugh
Married
to the Earl of Warwick’s sister Alice. Fitzhugh fought for the Lancastrians
at the battles of Wakefield and Towton. After Towton made his peace
with Edward IV. In 1469 he aided Warwick by staging a mock rebellion
on behalf of the earl when Warwick attempted to lure King Edward north
away from the capital. When Edward set off north to put down the rebellion,
Fitzhugh fled to take refuge in Scotland. In 1469 he was on the rebel
side at the battle of Edgecote. His daughter, Anna, was the wife of
Francis Lovell, Richard III’s boyhood friend.
GREY,
John, kt.
(k. 1461)
John
Grey was the first husband of Elizabeth Woodville, whom he had married
in 1452. The marriage produced two sons. In 1459 John was appointed
commissioner of array for Leicestershire. He fought for the Lancastrians
at the battles of Northampton and Wakefield. At the 2nd battle of St
Albans in 1461 John's was one of the few Lancastrian deaths of note.
GREY,
Richard, Lord
(1456-1483)
The
younger son of John Grey and Elizabeth Woodville. Richard was eight
at the time of his mother’s marriage to Edward IV. Brought up at court
he identified strongly with his mother’s family.
After Edward’s death Richard was sent to Ludlow to bring the
young Edward V back to London with his uncle, Lord Rivers. Elizabeth
had entrusted her son with messages that young Edward was to be brought
to London quickly and safely. Speed was essential if they were to forestall
Richard of Gloucester from taking up his position as protector. Richard
delivered his message but there was a delay in setting out as Lord Rivers
insisted on spending St George's Day at Ludlow. Consequently the young
king’s party was intercepted at Stoney Strafford by Gloucester and the
Duke of Buckingham. Richard, his uncle and Sir Thomas Vaughan were arrested
for attempting to disobey Edward IV’s last wishes, that his brother
become protector. Richard was sent north to Middleham castle where he
was confined until late June. After the plot to overthrow the protectorate
he was taken to Pontefract castle, where he was executed on June 25th
1483.
GREY,
Thomas, Marquis
of Dorset. K.G. (1455-1501)
The
elder son of Elizabeth Woodville by her first husband John Grey. Thomas
was nine when his mother became Edward IV’s queen. From this time on
he was brought up at court. He was fifteen when Edward was forced into
exile and spent the time in sanctuary in Westminster Abbey with his
mother and young half-sisters. His first marriage was to Anne Holland,
the king’s niece, daughter of Edward’s eldest sister Anne. In April
1475 he was created Marquis of Dorset. Like Edward, Thomas enjoyed the
company of beautiful women. He was one of those who joined his stepfather
in many of the entertainments at court, which involved drinking, feasting,
gambling and womanising. Unlike his stepfather he had little or no ability
on the battlefield.
At
the time of Edward’s death Thomas was governor of the Tower of London.
He was able to seize the royal treasury for the use of his mother, and
attempted to take control of the council in order to keep power in the
hands of the Woodvilles. When this failed he once again fled to take
refuge in Westminster with Elizabeth. From here he escaped and took
refuge on his estates until he managed to slip abroad, where he joined
Henry Tudor. Thomas did not return to England with Tudor, being left
in France as a hostage.
After
his return, his life continued to be a roller coaster of events. In
1487, at the time of the battle of Stoke, he was arrested. The later
rising on behalf of Perkin Warbeck found him with a command in the royal
army. Thomas had at one time the custody of Edward of Warwick, Clarence's son. He
was also guardian of the daughters of John Neville, Marquis Montagu.
In neither case does he appear to have distinguished himself. Thomas
married, as his second wife, Cecilia, Baroness Bonville and Harington.
His great-granddaughter was Lady Jane Grey, the "nine days' queen".
HALL, David, kt.
(d. 1460)
Friend
and supporter of Richard of York. Sir David was one of those who accompanied
York north in December 1460. The chronicler Edward Hall, a descendant
of Sir David, mentions in his Chronicle that David counselled against
leaving the safety of the castle before the battle of Wakefield, and
advised holding out until the arrival of Edward of March with the reinforcements.
When York disregarded his advice Sir David rode into battle at his side.
He was one of those who lost his life in the engagement.
HARRINGTON,
James, kt.
(d. 1497?)
The
second son of Sir Thomas Harrington. Married Joan Neville. Sir James,
like his father and his brothers, was a staunch Yorkist supporter. In
1465 he helped in the capture of Henry VI. In 1466 he was appointed
sheriff of Yorkshire, a post he held again in 1475. James joined Edward
IV after his landing at Ravenspur in 1471, with a force of 600 men.
He fought on the Yorkist side at both the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury.
In 1475 he was one of those present in the invasion of France. James
became a Knight of the Body to Edward IV, and served in the Scots campaign
under Richard of Gloucester in 1482. The same year he became constable
of England. A supporter of Richard III, Sir James fought at Bosworth
where he escaped with his life. After Bosworth it is uncertain what
happened to him, but there is some evidence he was at the Scottish court.
He was almost certainly dead by 1497.
HARRINGTON,
John, kt. (d. 1460)
Eldest
son of Sir Thomas. At one time a commissioner of array for Lincolnshire,
Sir John fought with his father at the battle of Wakefield. Like his
father he was one of those who lost his life.
HARRINGTON,
Robert, kt.
(d. 1487)
Third
son of Sir Thomas Harrington. Like his father and his brother John,
Sir Robert was a firm supporter of the Yorkist cause. In 1471 he fought
at both the battle of Barnet and the battle of Tewkesbury. After the
victory at Tewkesbury he was knighted by Edward IV. Sir Robert became
a personal retainer of Richard of Gloucester. He fought for Richard
at the battle of Bosworth, and was one of the survivors. In 1487 he
once more fought for the Yorkist cause at the battle of Stoke Field.
Although he survived the battle he died the same year, possibly as a
result of injuries.
HARRINGTON,
Thomas, kt. (d. 1460)
Head
of the Harrington family who were so prominent in their support for
the House of York. Sir Thomas was a personal retainer of the Earl of
Salisbury. He fought at the 1st battle of St Albans in 1455 and at the
battle of Blore Heath in 1459. After this battle he was captured. He
was released in 1460 and was one of those present in support of Salisbury
and York at the battle of Wakefield. Sir Thomas was one of those slain
in the engagement.
HASTINGS,
William, Lord
Hastings. K.G.(1431-1483) 
William
was the son of a Leicestershire gentleman, Sir Leonard Hastings, a personal
retainer of Richard, Duke of York. He married Katherine Neville, one
of the sisters of the Earl of Warwick. In 1459 he was present at the
battle of Ludford Bridge. After this he was pardoned by Henry VI. A
great friend and supporter of Edward IV, Hastings fought at Edward’s
side in his first independent battle, Mortimer's Cross. He also fought
at the battles of Towton, Barnet and Tewkesbury on the Yorkist side.
William
held office under Henry VI. He was appointed sheriff of Warwick and
Leicester in 1455, and ranger of the Chase of Wyre in 1456. Under Edward
IV he became a very important man. He was knighted by Edward after the
battle of Towton. In 1461 he became receiver general for the Duchy of
Cornwall. In 1462 he was given the prestigious post of Lieutenant General
of Calais, and the position of Master of the King’s Mints in the Tower
of London, the realm of England and the town of Calais. He was raised
to the peerage as Baron Hastings in 1461. From 1461 he was chamberlain
of South Wales, steward of the honour of Leicester and other posts in
the area of Leicester. The same year, 1461, he was appointed a Privy
Councillor and lord chamberlain of the royal household.
Throughout
Edward’s reign William continued to amass honours. He was one of the
lords who accompanied Edward into exile in 1470, and was probably his
most trusted friend, standing only after Richard of Gloucester in Edward’s
regard. After Edward’s death it was Hastings who sent word to Gloucester,
advising him, “The King has left all to your protection - goods, heir,
realm. Secure the person of our sovereign Lord Edward V, and get you
to London.” A few days later Hastings was writing again warning Richard
that the Woodvilles planned to take authority into their own hands.
Richard complied with this advice. When he arrived in the capital things
went well for a while. Later there was an allegation that Hastings was
plotting against the Protector. Richard ordered his death. Just what
happened to turn the two into enemies is unclear.
Edward IV had for many years requested that Hastings should lie
near him after death. This Richard of Gloucester saw done. Lord Hastings
lies in his own Chantry Chapel in St George’s, Windsor, very close to
his friend the King. Despite the execution, Richard showed his gratitude
for Hastings' loyalty to Edward by granting all the Hastings estates
to Hastings' eldest son, Edward, who was one of his own personal retainers.
HERBERT, Richard, kt.
(ex. 1469)
The
youngest son of Sir William Herbert. Richard Herbert fought for Edward
IV at the battle of Mortimer's Cross. In 1469, along with his brother
William and Lord Stafford, he was commissioned to put down the rising
by Robin of Redesdale. The partnership was singularly ill-fated. At
Banbury the leaders of the Yorkist force had a serious disagreement
about billeting. This led to Stafford and his contingent quitting the
town in high dudgeon. The following day the Herbert brothers were facing
defeat in a hard-fought engagement at the battle of Edgecote. Even the
eventual arrival of Stafford and his men could not save the day. According
to accounts of the battle both the Herberts fought like men possessed,
but were taken prisoner. Richard was later executed at Northampton.
He was buried in Abergavenny Priory Church.
HERBERT,
Walter
Son
of the 1st Earl of Pembroke. Fought
for Henry Tudor at Bosworth.
HERBERT,
William, of
Raglan, 1st Earl of Pembroke (ex. 1469) 
William
was the elder brother of Sir Richard Herbert, and was a highly experienced
battle commander even before the conflict between York and Lancaster.
He had fought in France and in 1450, at the start of the wars at home,
he was one of Richard of York’s personal retainers. After York’s death
he was one of those who transferred his loyalty to York’s heir Edward.
William was with Edward at the battles of Mortimer's Cross and Towton.
He held the office of joint commissioner of array for Gloucestershire,
Herefordshire and Shropshire in both 1461 and 1468. It was William who
captured Harlech castle in 1468, after a seven-year siege. That same
year he was given the title of Earl of Pembroke, a title also confusingly
held by the Lancastrian Jasper Tudor. Like his brother Richard, William
was taken prisoner at the battle of Edgecote and executed by order of
the Earl of Warwick who looked upon him as a rival in Edward’s councils.
Before his execution he was able to write a last letter to his wife,
Anne Devereux. In this he besought Anne to “Pray for me, and take the
said order that you promised me, as ye had in my life my heart and my
love.” Anne did take the said order, which was a vow of perpetual chastity.
William is buried, like his brother Richard, in Abergavenny Priory Church.
HERBERT,
William, Lord
Dunster, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Son
of the 1st Earl of Pembroke. His
first wife was Mary, sister of Queen Elizabeth Woodville.
He exchanged the earldom of Pembroke for that of Huntingdon. His second wife was Katherine, illegitimate
daughter of Richard III.
HOLLAND,
Henry, 4th
Duke of Exeter (1430-1475) 
Henry
was yet another descendant of Edward III. His great-grandmother was
Elizabeth, the daughter of John of Gaunt by his first marriage to Blanche
of Lancaster. Henry married in 1447 Anne, the eldest daughter of Richard
of York. The marriage does not appear to have been happy. Henry was
a Lancastrian supporter. As such, and greatly trusted by Margaret of
Anjou, he held several prestigious posts - constable of the Tower of
London, keeper of both Restormel and Tintagel castles and Lord High
Admiral among others. In 1460 he commanded a fleet ordered to attack
Warwick at Calais. This proved impossible due to the mutiny of his sailors.
Henry fought at the battles of Blore Heath, Northampton, Wakefield,
the 2nd battle of St Albans and Barnet. At Barnet he was so badly wounded
that he was reported dead. After this he spent a long period in captivity.
Henry’s
marriage to Anne of York ended in divorce in 1472. In 1475 he met his
death by drowning. His only child, a daughter, died the same year as
her father.
Sir
Robert was a joint commissioner for Kent in 1457-60, and also a past
master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners. Originally a friend of
the Earl of Warwick, he joined the Yorkists in 1460 and fought at the
battle of Northampton. After this battle he returned home, but despite
a disagreement with the Earl of Warwick, he raised a new force to fight
at the battles of Ferrybridge and Towton for Edward IV, where he was
one of Edward’s captains. At the battle of Ferrybridge, he was with
Lord Fauconberg at the crossing of the Aire at Castleford, and assisted
in repelling the Lancastrians under Lord Clifford. The following day,
at the battle of Towton, he was one of the Yorkist captains who lost
his life. After the battle Edward paid a personal tribute to Sir Robert,
‘I regret the loss of my dear friend Sir Robert Horne of Kent.’
HOWARD,
John, Lord
Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk. K.G. (k. 1485) 
John
Howard was one of the House of York’s most loyal supporters. His grandfather
was the 1st Mowbray Duke of Norfolk. John was a soldier by profession
and his first appearance on the battlefield was at Castillon in 1453.
He was very probably one of his cousin Norfolk’s lieutenants at the
battle of Towton, where he was knighted on the field by Edward IV. The
same year he was appointed sheriff of Norfolk. He was one of those summoned
to Edward’s side on his release from captivity in 1469. When Edward
was forced into exile, John took refuge in sanctuary at Colchester,
emerging to join the king after his return in 1471. He had been created
Lord Howard in 1470.
John
was present at the battles of Barnet and Tewkesbury. In 1481 he commanded
the fleet in the war with Scotland with great success. He was the quintessence
of a nobleman, caring for his estates, his retainers, and his family.
He was also a very cultured man, enjoying music and reading. His household
was one of the best run in England; no detail was too minor for his
attention.
In
the reign of Richard III John was given the title of Duke of Norfolk
by his friend the new king, and created Earl Marshal, a post held by
the Dukes of Norfolk to the present day. Richard was repaid by John’s
total loyalty. Before the battle of Bosworth John was warned of the
treachery against Richard by a message pinned to his tent, “Jockey of
Norfolk be not so bold, for Dickon thy master is bought and sold”. He
refused to heed the warning and commanded the van for Richard. He was
killed on the field along with the king he had refused to betray, and
was buried in the Priory of Our Lady, Thetford.
HOWARD,
Thomas, Earl
of Surrey, 2nd Duke of Norfolk. K.G. (1443-1524)
Thomas
was the eldest son of John Howard, 1st Duke of Norfolk. Like his father
he fought at the battle of Barnet, where he was badly wounded. He fought
for Richard III at the battle of Bosworth as his father’s second in
command, being taken prisoner and imprisoned in the Tower afterwards.
The title of Duke of Norfolk was taken from him after the battle, and
it was as Earl of Surrey that he spent almost the next thirty years.
Although like his father an ardent Yorkist, Thomas served the new Tudor
regime well. He regained the office of Earl Marshal in 1510, after spending
many years serving in the north. Thomas commanded the army that fought
the Scots at the battle of Flodden in 1513, and was rewarded for this
victory with the return of his dukedom. He died in 1524 at the venerable
age of 81. He was buried in St Mary’s Church, Lambeth.
HUNGERFORD,
Robert, Lord
Hungerford, Lord Moleyns (ex. 1464)
Fought
in France, and was present at the Battle of Castillon where the great
Earl of Shrewsbury, the father of Eleanor Butler was killed. In 1460
Hungerford held the Tower for Henry VI. He was present in the defeated
Lancastrian army at the battle of Towton. Afterwards he was one of those
in exile with the king and queen. Hungerford fought at both the battles
of Hedgeley Moor and Hexham. After the latter he was captured and executed
at Newcastle on Tyne. He was Lord Moleyns by right of his wife.
He is buried in Salisbury Cathedral.