This is the Tudors Dynasty Podcast.

And now, Rebecca Larson.

A brief history is a supplemental episode of the Tudor's Dynasty podcast.

On this episode, we cover Francis Lovell, first Viscount Lovell.

Our guest host for this episode is author Michelle Schindler. A brief history is a little

different than the regular episodes and that guest hosts do all the talking because, let's face it,

they're the experts on the subjects. These episodes are also a little bit shorter in length as well.

And with that, here is A brief history, Francis Lovell.

My name is Michelle Schindler. I'm the author of the book Lovell Our Dog, a biography of Francis Lovell, first Wittown-Lovell.

Most of you probably know that Wiscount Lovell was the closest friend of Richard

III. The two of them met when Francis was only eight years old, when they were both

wards of Richard's cousin, the Earl of Warwick, and their relationship built from there.

When Richard became king, Francis received many favors and positions from him. Most importantly, Francis was Richard's

Lord Chamberlain. So naturally, when Richard died on the 22nd of August at the Battle of

Bosworth, it was a massive loss for Francis. Since he lost not only his best friend, but also his

access to the inner workings of the government, one might think that the loss was a political one as well as a personal one.

But it was soon to turn out that for Francis, the personal trumped the political by far.

Francis's first action after Richard's death at Bosworth was an unsurprising one.

Seeing that the battle was lost, he, together with two other supporters of the Yorkist side,

the brothers, Humphrey and Thomas Stafford, escaped to avoid being taken prisoner by the

victorious Tudor's side.

They went to St. John's Abbey in the city of Colchester, where they claimed sanctuary.

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