May 24 - Lambert Simnel is Crowned in Ireland

This Day in History: 24 May 2020

 

24 May 1487

 

533 years ago, today, Lambert Simnel, a pretender to the throne of England, was crowned at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. He claimed to be the Edward IV, as he bared a striking resemblance to the prince, whose fate was unknown. Many had theorised, however, that he had died at the hands of Richard III. Richard Symonds, a priest who decided to be kingmaker, spread the rumour that Edward had escaped from the Tower, gaining Yorkist and Irish support. Simnel was presented to the head of the Irish government, the Earl of Kildare, who was willing to support the pretender and overthrow King Henry VII. He crowed Simnel as King Edward VI and collected an army of Irish soldiers.

 

King Henry feared Simnel as it could potentially jeopardise the King's newly established reign and dynasty. On June 5, Simnel's army, mainly consisting of Flemish and Irish troops, landed in Lancashire, gaining some English supporters, but most local nobles resisted joining. Almost two weeks later, on June 16, they met with the King's army at the Battle of Stoke, but were defeated, resulting in the deaths of the Earl of Lincoln, and the pardoning of the Earl of Kildare, who had remained in Ireland. Simnel was also pardoned by the king, most likely as he recognised how he had been merely a puppet in the hands of adults. When he was older, Simnel became a falconer, but almost no information about his later life is known. Most presumably, he died between 1525 and 1535.

 

Want to find out more about Lambert Simnel? Click here for more information, or click here to instead watch a video outlining his life.