Rebellion

This is a rather long post. I have always wondered
about "Buckingham's Rebellion" because it most obviously was NOT an
attempt to put Henry Tudor on the throne; there were just too many
other candidates with much better claims. Most of the books I have
read either accept the standard Tudor version or just sort of slide
past it. Anyway..
The first two parts are (I believe) factual, although I don't
have chapter and verse at hand to support every statement. The last
two parts are the results of considering what actually took place. I
hope you find it interesting and would appreciate any thoughts.

Doug Stamate

1. What were the ORIGINAL goals of the rebellion commonly known
as "Buckingham's Rebellion"?
a. To restore Edward V to the throne.

2. Who was involved?
a. Those Woodvilles who were not out of England, in sanctuary,
imprisoned, or dead (there were several). They would be returned to
power. They initiated the planning of the risings.
b. Bishop Morton. Not trusted by Edward IV or Richard III; he
would be in a position to play a much greater role in government
under a Buckingham Protectorate or while Edward V remained a minor.
c. The Stanley brothers. One was a Yorkist and the other a
supporter of Henry Tudor; both sides would be covered by a return to
the throne of Edward V.
d. The Duke of Buckingham stood in the same position to the
Princes as Richard III - uncle. Sought the official position of
Protector (or the unofficial postion of "Kingmaker").
e. Henry Tudor. his support was probably bought by agreeing to
let him return to England unharmed and unmolested.

3. How was this to be accomplished?
a. Uprisings were scheduled to take place in Kent, Hampshire
(?), the Southwest, Wales, and the Midlands. Norfolk would take most
of the available men-at-arms from London to deal with the rising in
Kent. Richard would raise troops to go after the rebels to the West.
b. By drawing Richard's supporters away from London would allow
a small group of supporters to enter the Tower and free the Princes.
c. Even if Norfolk quickly suppressed the rising in Kent, he
would still have the rebels to his west to deal with before returning
to London.
d. Richard would be kept busy maneuvering between, and trying
to defeat, the rebels in the Southwest, Wales/Midlands.
e. Buckingham was Constable of England and in charge of the
Tower. He didn't need to send a large group of men to attack the
Tower, but simply to have some(one?) who would be in a position to
let the rescuers/kidnappers in and assist in their escape.
f. Buckingham would then become Protector, the Woodvilles would
be restored to power and Margaret Beaufort's son could return safely
home.

4. How/why did the rebellion fail?
a. The Princes were NOT freed from the Tower, it was discovered
that they weren't there. THIS was the cause of the rumors that spread
saying the Princes were dead.
b. Therefore many supporters who would have risen in support of
the Princes stayed home.
c. The Stanleys (guided by Morton?) remained quiet
d. Very bad weather hampered Buckingham's recruitment
e. Norfolk quickly took care of the Kent rising; the rising in
the Southwest/Wales was hampered by bad weather; and Buckingham
wasn't strong enough to withstand Richard without assistance.
f. Henry Tudor, also hampered by bad weather, was unable to
provide assistance in the Southwest.