Biography of James Tuchet 7th Baron Audley, 4th Baron Tuchet 1463-1497

Around April 1497 Cornish rose in rebellion against taxes being raised by King Henry VII of England and Ireland (age 40) to support his wars against Scotland and against changes to the operation and privileges of the Cornish tin mining industry. The rebel army of 15,000 sought to replace Henry's ministers who they saw as responsible for the taxation: Cardinal John Morton (age 77) and Reginald Bray (age 57), the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The army travelled from Cornwall through Devon and Somerset attempting, unsuccessfully, to recruit more men. At Wells, Somerset [Map] they were joined by James Tuchet 7th Baron Audley, 4th Baron Tuchet (age 34) who took on command. The rebel army then travelled through Salisbury and Winchester, Hampshire [Map].

When Henry became aware of the rebel army he diverted his main army led by Giles Daubeney 1st Baron Daubeney (age 46) to meet the rebels. Daubeny's army camped at Hounslow Heath [Map] on 13th June 1497.

On 17th June 1497 the Cornish rebel army was destroyed at the Battle of Blackheath aka Deptford Bridge.

Richard Guildford (age 47) was created Knight Banneret.

Edward Stafford 2nd Earl Wiltshire (age 27), Henry Willoughby (age 46), Edward Belknapp of Blackfriars in London and Thomas Fiennes 8th Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 25) fought at Deptford, Kent [Map].

Giles Brugge 6th Baron Chandos (age 35), John Hussey 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford (age 32), Robert Sheffield (age 36), Edward Stanhope 1462-1487, John Peche (age 47) and Robert Constable (age 19) were knighted by King Henry VII of England and Ireland (age 40).

Thomas West 8th Baron De La Warr 5th Baron West (age 40) commanded.

James Tuchet 7th Baron Audley, 4th Baron Tuchet (age 34) was captured by Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth (age 19).

After 17th June 1497 John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham (age 64) acted in judgement of James Tuchet 7th Baron Audley, 4th Baron Tuchet (age 34). He was tried as a peer and sentenced to be beheaded spending his last night in Newgate Prison, London [Map].

On 28th June 1497 James Tuchet 7th Baron Audley, 4th Baron Tuchet (age 34) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. He was buried at Blackfriars Church Holborn. His head was placed on a spike at London Bridge [Map]. Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire and Baron Tuchet forfeit.

Wriothesley's Chronicle. 17th June 1497. This yeare was Blackheath [Map] feild in June.^e The Lord Awdley (age 34) chiefe capteyn with 30,000 Cornishe men. The capteynes put to death,^f.

Note e. June 22nd. [This is a mistake. The battle was fought on the 17th June 1497]

Note f. Lord Audley was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]; Flammock, an attorney, and Michel Joseph, a blacksmith, were hanged at Tyburn [Map]; all the rest were pardoned by proclamation.

Chronicles of London Vitellius A XVI. And the same day [27th June 1497] was the lord Awdley (age 34) had from the Tower to Westm'. the Axe of the Tower borne byfore hym. And there in the White hall a-Reyned and adiuged; and that after none drawen from Westm' vnto Newgate, and there Remayned all nyght. And vpon Weddensday in the mornyng, aboute IX of the Clok, drawen from the said Gaole of Newgate [Map] vnto the Tower hill w^t a cote armour vpon hym of papir, all to torne; and there his hede stryken off: vpon whos Soule, and all christen god haue mercy! amen! And after his hede set vpon the Brigge. The cause of Rysyng of those Comons was after the Comon ffame for the graunt of swich money as was graunted at the last parliament, for the which the said Comons put in blame the Archbisshop of Caunterbury, my lord Cardynall, also the Archebisshop of Durham, the Bisshop of Bathe, Sir Reynold Bray and Sir Thomas Lovell, knyghtes, w^t other ; which persones their myendes was to have distroyed; this was their owteward Colour, what their Inward intent was God knoweth, but what hath ensued of like besynesse is euydent, as by Jak Straw, Jak Cade, and other.

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan. And vpon the xxviii [28th June 1497] daye of luny, the smyth & a gentylman named Flamok, two capytaynes of y^e sayd rebeiles, were put in execucyon at Tybourne. And shortely after the lorde Audeley (age 34), which was hed capytayne of the sayd rebeiles, was put to deth at y Towre Hylle.