April 26th 1471: Glastonbury and Wenlock

John Lord Wenlock of Someries

(Street Banners of Tewkesbury)

When the Lancastrians reached Glastonbury, John Wenlock, 1st Baron Wenlock of Someries, left his valuables in the care of Abbot Selwood. We know this because some time later his wife went to collect them and she signed a deed confirming their safe return. They included ‘a cup of gold, a little salt cellar of gold, a book called a portous [prayer book] and a casket locked and stuffed with such jewels and other things’. These are treasures which he wouldn’t have wanted to have left with the baggage train whilst he went into battle.

John Wenlock was an unlikely Lancastrian. Though there are uncertainties about his life, it seems that he was born in 1400 and had first seen action in France with King Henry V. In the early reign of his son he proved an able diplomat and spent a lot of time in embassies to Europe, including bringing Queen Margaret to England. He was made part of her court, but he also got to know the Earl of Warwick and became a supporter of his, which meant that the Queen dismissed him from her service. He fought with the Lancastrians in the first Battle of St Albans, in 1455 but by 1459 he was fighting for the Yorkist cause. When Warwick rebelled, Wenlock was in a difficult position, as Captain of Calais he had refused entry to Warwick’s fleeing fleet, which some say was a deliberate act to save him. He joined him later in France, but did not return to England with Warwick. Instead he returned with Queen Margaret, bringing his treasures back with him. Even though his friend Warwick now was dead he was marching with the Lancastrian army. The second time he had changed his allegiance during these wars.