Biography of Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles -1470

Before 03 Feb 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles attacked Gainsborough Old Hall, Lincolnshire [Map] home of Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 39), a senior Yorkist, Edward IV's (age 27) Master of the Horse. It isn't known whether this attack was a consequence of local or national issues. King Edward IV of England summoned Robert's father [his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 42) and uncle-in-law Thomas Dymoke (age 42) (married to [his aunt] Margaret Welles (age 38) sister of Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles) to London. Both initially went into Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey [Map] but were pardoned on 03 Mar 1470.

After 03 Mar 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles continued to resist King Edward IV of England (age 27) by raising forces in Lincolnshire. King Edward IV of England travelled north and threatened Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles with the execution of his [his father] father (age 42) and Thomas Dymoke (age 42) if Robert persisted in rebellion.

On 12 Mar 1470 King Edward IV of England (age 27) commanded at the Battle of Losecoat Field (Empingham).

Thomas Dymoke (age 42) and [his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 42) were beheaded at Queen's Cross, Stamford before the battle¹. His son Robert succeeded 8th Baron Welles.

The name 'Losecoat' not contemporary, and its meaning of men "losing their coats" may have been invented in the 19th Century. The name Losecoat appears to be first used in the 16th Century Hall's and Holinshed's Chronicles.

The 1475 attainder of Richard and Robert Welles refers to the battle having taken place "in a field called 'Hornefeld' in Empyngham",

Note 1. Some sources say on battlefield immediately prior to the battle, some after the batte

On 19 Mar 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles was beheaded at Doncaster [Map]. He was buried at Whitefriars Doncaster [Map]. Baron Welles forfeit. His sister [his sister] Joan succeeded 9th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 37) by marriage Baron Willoughby de Eresby. He, Hastings, a favourite of King Edward IV of England (age 27), younger brother of Edward's great friend William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 39).

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan. 12 Mar 1470. And in Lyncolnshyre sir Robert Wellys, sone unto the lorde Wellys before put to deth, in this whyle had also assembled a great bende of men, purposyd to gyue the kynge a felde. Of all whiche tydynges whenne the kynge was assertayned, he with his sayde broder the duke spedde hym northwarde, and in that whyle sent to the sayde sir Robert Wellys, wyllyng hym to sende home his people and come to hym, and he shuld haue his grace. But that other answerid, that by lyke promysse his fader was disceyued, and that shulde be his example. But in conclusion, whan the kynge with his power drewe nere unto hym, he toke suche fere that he fledde, and soone after was taken, and with hym sir Thomas Dymmok (age 42), knyght, and other, the whiche were shortly after put to deth.

Before 16 Mar 1475 [his sister] Joan Welles 9th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby died.

Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby (age 22) de jure 10th Baron Willoughby de Eresby. Margaret Jenney Baroness Willoughby of Eresby (age 15) by marriage Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.

King Edward IV of England (age 32) had father and son [[his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby and Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles] posthumously attainted some five years after the Welles' Rebellion [see Patent Rolls] to ensure Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 42) would continue to enjoy the benefit of the Welles' estates.

Another example of King Edward IV of England being somewhat disingenuous with the legal system to his own advantage. He, Edward was, in effect, disinheriting Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby who should have inherited Baron Willoughby de Eresby and [his uncle] John Welles 1st Viscount Welles (age 25) who should have inherited Baron Welles following Joan's death.

Patent Rolls. 16 Mar 1475. Exemplification, at the request of William Broune of Staumford, Westminster. 'marchaunt,' of the tenour of an article in an act (English) of attaint in the Parliament summoned at Westminster on 6 October, 12 Edward IV. and continued by divers prorogations to 23 January, 14 Edward IV. ordaining that whereas [his father] Richard Welles late of Hellowe, co. Lincoln, knight, caused Robert Welles late of Hellowe, knight, and Thomas Delalaunde late of Horblyng, co. Lincoln, knight, and others to assemble together against the king and they made war against the king on 12 March, 10 Edward IV. in a field called 'Hornefeld' in Empyngham, co. Rutland, the said Richard, Robert and Thomas be convicted of high treason and forfeit all the possessions which they had on the said 12 March except the manors of Lilleford, co. Northampton, and Hokyngton, co. Cambridge, whereof Thomas FitzWilliam the elder and Thomas FltzWilliam the younger were seised to the same time that they made estate thereof to [his sister] Jahne late the wife of Richard Hastynges (age 42), knight, and heirs in fee and after the said Richard and Jahne sold the same manors to the said William and of the same levied a fine to the use of him and his heirs. [Rolls of Parliament, VI. 144.]