Humanities

Blake, Deanna (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: McPherson, Kate (Utah Valley University, Honors Program); Hunt, John (Utah Valley University, History); Snedegar, Keith (Utah Valley University, History)

On December 30, 1460 Richard of York, father of both Edward IV and Richard III, fought and died at the battle of Wakefield alongside his son, Edmond Earl of Rutland. Accounts of the time then say he was pulled of his horse and beheaded. The Lancastrians then put his head on a spike with a paper crown on top. They placed it where everyone could see then handed his body over to be buried at Pontefract. His son, Edward IV, took the throne soon after. Several years into his reign, in the year 1475, Edward IV had his father and brother's remains moved to the Church of St. Mary and All Saints in Furthering. It is known that the event, full of ceremonies and processions, was an important political move. The ceremony was elaborate.

The court Edward IV had around him at the time was full of tension. His marriage to Elisabeth Woodville drove a wedge between him and his mentor, Richard duke of Warwick. This would soon turn his brother George duke of Clarence, who wanted power for himself, to ally with Warwick. Edward IV was attempting to show unity between the queen and Warwick at the time of the reburial, even having them walk next to each other holding hands during the procession to the church.

The shaky political ground at the time put much into question. Edward IV took the throne from Henry VI. Many would see this as seizing power taken for the York's after the forced abdication of Richard II. Others saw it as a usurpation. There were other varying thoughts on the matter. In the end, Edward's legitimacy as king was in question. He did what he could to codify the idea of his reign.

The reburial of his father, Richard of York, was one of the many ways he did this. His end goal was to make his father into a king in his death. The event was extravagant. Many attended. Edward IV gave his father such an elaborate funeral possession it could be seen as one of the greatest events of Edward IV reign when it comes to peaceful affairs. He and his affinity said Henry VI was a usurper, Richard of York was the rightful king, therefore Edward was the rightful heir, as opposed to Edward of Westminster. Giving the man a funeral and burial fit for a king would help the people to believe it as well.

Richard's burial was given with all the deference of a king. Edward drew on other monarchies and the duchy of burgundy for inspiration for the event. The event began with a procession that started on the 24th of July. The Duke was dressed in elaborate garbs and coved with a cloth made from gold material with an ermine furred mantle, as a king would be. Candles were lite under the hearse alongside a silver angel wearing a gold crown to represent Richard of York's right to be king. The procession of lords led by the youngest of his sons, Richard Duke of Gloucester, later Richard iii, traveled from Pontefract to Fotheringhgay on 29th. Along the way, the people flocked to watch from all over the country. When they reached Fotheringhay members of the colleges joined the