Biography of John de Vere 12th Earl of Oxford 1408-1462

On 12th February 1462 John de Vere 12th Earl of Oxford [aged 53], his son Aubrey de Vere [aged 21] and Thomas Tuddenham [aged 60] were arrested for treason against King Edward IV [aged 19]. They were subsequently tried by John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester [aged 34] who was appointed Constable of England five days before.

On 20th February 1462 [his son] Aubrey de Vere [aged 21] was executed at Tower Hill [Map].

On 26th February 1462 John de Vere 12th Earl of Oxford [aged 53] was hanged at Tower Hill [Map]. His son John [aged 19] succeeded 13th Earl of Oxford.

Chronicle of William of Worcester. In the month of February [1462], John, Earl of Oxford [aged 53], his son and heir Aubrey [aged 21], Thomas Tudenham [aged 60], knight, John Clopton, John Mongomere, and William Tyrrell, were arrested by John, Earl of Worcester, Constable of England [aged 34], on suspicion of receiving letters from Lady Margaret, former Queen of England. They were convicted before the court of the Constable, the said earl was beheaded, Clopton was excused, and all others were drawn and beheaded on a scaffold made for them on Tower Hill in London.

Mense Februarii Johannes comes Oxoniæ, Albredus filius ejus et hæres, Thomas Tudenham, miles, Johannes Clopton, Johannes Mongomere, et Willelmus Tyrrele, per Johannem comitem Wigorniæ, constabularium Angliæ, arrestantur, ob suspicionem litterarum receptarum dominæ Margarets, nuper reginæ Angliæ, coram quo per curiam constabilariæ convicti, dictus comes decollatus est, ac Cloptone excusatus, et omnes alii tracti et decollati sunt in quadam scafalda pro eis facta super montem Turris Londoniæ.

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan [-1512]. 12th February 1462. And upon the xii. day of February was the erle of Oxenforde [aged 53], w^t the lorde Aubry [aged 21] his elder sone, syr Thomas Todenhame [aged 60], Wyllya Tyrell [aged 54], & other, brought unto the Towre of London:

Chronicle of Gregory. 26th February 1462. And this same year the Erle of Oxforde [aged 53], the Lord Abbry, the lord of Oxforde [deceased] is sone, Syr Thomas Todenham [deceased] knyght, John Mongomery, and William Terelle [deceased] squyer, were takyn in Esex, and brought unto Lundon to the Towre [Map]. Ande thenne they were ledde to Westemyster to the Kings palys, and there they were attaynte of hyghe and mighthy treson that they ymagenyd agayne þe King. And then they were drawe to the Towre from Westemyster. And at the Towre hylle was made a schaffolde for them, and there her heddys were smetyn on, and her bodys beryd, as it plesyd them to be qwethe her bodys.

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan [-1512]. 26th February 1462. And upon the Fryday next ensuynge, or the xxvi. daye of y^e sayd moneth, the erle of Oxenforde [aged 53] was ladde from Westmynster upon his feete, to the sayde place, [of Inesse,]¹ & there also behedyd, whose corps was after borne unto y^e Frere Augustynes, & there buryed within y^e quyer for y^e tyme.

Calendar of State Papers of Milan 1462. [25th March 1462]. Eleven days before the king's departure they discovered a great conspiracy, at the head of which was the Earl of Oxford [deceased], and he, his eldest son [deceased] and many other knights and esquires lost their heads. Before the king left the treason was discovered in this manner, quidquid fortassis dicatur [Whatever perhaps may be said]. The said earl with his accomplices, sent letters to King Henry and the queen in Scotland, by a servant of his, who, after having been to York, returned to King Edward and presented the letters, which were read as well as copied and then sealed up again and sent by this same messenger to King Henry with a promise that he would return with the reply. He did so and it was done very secretly. After the reply had been read the Earl of Worcester [aged 34], who has been made Constable of England¹, was sent to take the said earl and others.

el dicto conte con soi complitii mandavano lettere al re Hari et alla regina in Scotia per uno servitore de'soi, el quale, poi fu a Aiorch, ritorno alla Maesta de Re Eduuardo et presentolli le lettere le quale forono lecte et etiam copiate et poi reserrate et subito per el decto messo mandate al re hari con promessa che ritornarebe colla resposta et cosi fece et fu facta molto secretamente et viso responso el Conte de Wygornia, el quale e facto conestabile de Engleterra a fo mandato ad prendere el sopradicto conte et altri.

Note 1. John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester, appointed Constable of England for life by letters patent dated the 7th February, 1462. Calendar of Patent Rolls, 1461–7, page 74.