On this Day in History ... 29 March

29 Mar is in March.

1461 Battle of Towton

1644 Battle of Cheriton

1661 Charles II Continues to Reward those who Supported His Restoration

On 29 Mar 1058 Pope Stephen IX (age 38) died.

John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby: In 1323 he was born to John Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby (age 19) and Joan Roscelyn Baroness Willoughby Eresby Baroness Latimer (age 15) at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds. Before 1349 John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby (age 26) and Cecily Ufford Baroness Willoughby Eresby (age 21) were married. When John married Cecily he changed his arms from Willoughby Arms to Willoughby de Eresby Arms. She the daughter of Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 50) and Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 62).

Robert Willoughby 4th Baron Willoughby: Around 1349 he was born to John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby (age 26) and Cecily Ufford Baroness Willoughby Eresby (age 22). Before 01 Oct 1369 Robert Willoughby 4th Baron Willoughby (age 20) and Margery Zouche Baroness Willoughby Eresby (age 30) were married. After 17 Oct 1388 Robert Willoughby 4th Baron Willoughby (age 39) and Elizabeth Latimer 5th Baroness Latimer, Baroness Neville and Willoughby (age 31) were married. She by marriage Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. Before Jul 1396 Thomas Willoughby (age 16) and Elizabeth Neville (age 12) were married. They were step-brother and sister since his father Robert Willoughby 4th Baron Willoughby (age 47) married her mother Elizabeth Latimer 5th Baroness Latimer, Baroness Neville and Willoughby in 1388. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. On 09 Aug 1396 Robert Willoughby 4th Baron Willoughby (age 47) died. His son William Willoughby 5th Baron Willoughby (age 26) succeeded 5th Baron Willoughby de Eresby. Lucy Strange Baroness Willoughby Eresby by marriage Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.

Margery Zouche Baroness Willoughby Eresby: Around 1339 she was born to William Zouche 2nd Baron Zouche Harringworth (age 17) and Elizabeth Ros Baroness Zouche Harringworth. On 18 Oct 1391 Margery Zouche Baroness Willoughby Eresby (age 52) died.

Battle of Towton

Chronicle of Gregory 1461. Ande the xxix [29] day of the same monythe of Marche, that was þe Palme Sunday, the kyng (age 18) mette with the lordys of the Northe at Schyrborne. And there was on Harrys party that was kynge-

Prynce Edwarde (age 7), Kyng Harrys son.

The Duke of Exceter (age 30).

The Duke of Somersett (age 25).

The Erle of Northehumberlond (age 39).

The Erle of Devynschyre (age 29).

The Lorde Roos.

The Lorde Bemound (age 33).

The Lorde Clyfforde (deceased).

The Lorde Nevyle.

The Lorde Wellys (age 51).

The Lorde Wylby (age 40).

The Lorde Harry of Bokyngham.

The Lorde Ryvers (age 56).

The Lorde Schalys.

The Lorde Maule (age 50).

The Lorde Ferys of Groby (age 23).

The Lorde Foschewe. [Possibly John Fortescue (age 67)]

The Lorde Lovelle (age 28).

Syr Thomas Hammys, captayne of alle the fote men.

Syr Androwe Thorlloppe.

Syr Thomas Tressam (age 41).

Syr Robert Whytyngham (age 32).

Syr John Dawne.

And the yonge Lorde of Schrouysbury (age 12), and many moo othyr, bothe lordys, knyghtys, and squyers.


Here ben the namys of the lordys that were slayne in the felde in Kynge Harrys (age 39) party.

The Erle of Northehumberlond (age 39),

The Lorde Clyfforde (deceased),

The Lorde Nevyle (age 51),

The Lorde Wellys (age 51),

The Lorde Maules (age 50),

And many moo then I can reherse; but whythe [t]es and othyr that were slayne in the fylde ys a grete nombyr, by syde xlij [42] knyghtys that were slayne aftyr; the hoole nombyr ys xxxv M1 [35000] of comeners. Jhesu be þou marcyfulle unto hyr soulys. Amen.


And the lordys before wretyn fledde, the substance in to Schotlond with the Kynge Harry (age 39) and Quene Margarete (age 31), and sone the Prynce (age 7) with hym, fulle of sorowe and hevynys, no wondyr. God knowythe, but every man deme the beste tylle the trought be tryde owte. For many a lady lost hyr beste be lovyd in that batayle.

On 29 Mar 1461 the Battle of Towton was a decisive victory for King Edward IV of England (age 18) bringing to an end the first war of the Wars of the Roses. Said to be the bloodiest battle on English soil 28000 were killed mainly during the rout that followed the battle.

The Yorkist army was commanded by King Edward IV of England (age 18) with John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 45), William Neville 1st Earl Kent (age 56), William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings (age 30) (knighted), Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy (age 45), Henry Bourchier 2nd Count Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57), John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 23) and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61).

The Lancastrian army suffered significant casualties including Richard Percy (age 35), Ralph Bigod Lord Morley (age 50), John Bigod (age 28), Robert Cromwell (age 71), Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 49), Ralph Eure (age 49), John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby (age 51), John Beaumont (age 33), Thomas Dethick (age 61), Everard Simon Digby, William Plumpton (age 25) and William Welles (age 51) who were killed.

Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39) was killed. His son Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland (age 12) succeeded 4th Earl of Northumberland 1C 1377, 7th Baron Percy of Alnwick 1C 1299, 15th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland (age 3) by marriage Countess of Northumberland.

Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles (age 55) was killed. His son Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 33) succeeded 7th Baron Welles.


The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke Somerset (age 25), Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30), Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39) and Andrew Trollope.

Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30) was attainted after the battle; Duke Exeter 1C 1397, Earl Huntingdon 4C 1388 forfeit.

Those who fought for the Lancaster included William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme (age 46), John Dudley 1st Baron Dudley (age 60), William Norreys (age 20), Thomas Grey 1st Baron Grey of Richemont (age 43), Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns (age 30), John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 12), Richard Welles 7th Baron Willoughby 7th Baron Welles (age 33), Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers (age 56), James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 40), John Butler 6th Earl Ormonde (age 39), William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 22), Henry Roos and Thomas Tresham (age 41). Cardinal John Morton (age 41) were captured.

On 03 Apr 1461 Thomas Courtenay 14th Earl Devon (age 29) was beheaded at York [Map] and attainted.

John Heron of Ford Castle Northumberland (age 45), Robert Dethick (age 86), Andrew Trollope and his son David Trollope were killed.

Thomas Grey 1st Baron Grey of Richemont (age 43) was executed.

PAINTINGS/MEYNART/Meynnart_Wewyck_Lady_Margaret_Beaufort.jpgAround 1510 Meynnart Wewyck (age 50). Portrait of Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond in the Masters Lodge St John's College, Oxford University. Commissioned by Bishop John Fisher (age 40). Note the Beaufort Arms on the wall beneath which is the Beafort Portcullis. Repeated in the window. She is wearing widow's clothes, or possibly that of a convent; Gabled Headress with Lappets. On 29 Mar 2019, St John's College, Cambridge, which she founded, announced the portrait was original work by Wewyck.

On 29 Mar 1586 Robert Stewart 1st Earl Lennox 1st Earl March (age 64) died.

Frances Montagu Countess Rutland: Around 1614 she was born to Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 51) and Frances Cotton (age 36) at Boughton House. Before 02 Jun 1629 John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland (age 24) and Frances Montagu Countess Rutland (age 15) were married. On 19 May 1671 Frances Montagu Countess Rutland (age 57) died at Bottesford, Leicestershire.

Battle of Cheriton

On 29 Mar 1644 John Stewart (age 22) was killed during the Battle of Cheriton fighting for the Royalists.

1661 Charles II Continues to Reward those who Supported His Restoration

In early 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30) rewarded of further tranche of those who supported his Restoration ...

On 02 Jan 1661 Henry Bedingfield 1st Baronet (age 46) was created 1st Baronet Bedingfield of Oxburgh in Norfolk.

On 10 Jan 1661 Andrew Rutherford 1st Earl Teviot was created 1st Baron Rutherford 1C 1661 with special remainder to his heirs and assignees whatsoever, and that under what provisions, restrictions, and conditions the said Lord Rutherford should think fit.

On 23 Jan 1661 John Cole 1st Baronet (age 41) was created Baronet Cole of Newland.

On 23 Feb 1661 Edward Smythe 1st Baronet (age 41) was created 1st Baronet Smythe.

On 04 Mar 1661 Compton Reade 1st Baronet (age 36) was created 1st Baronet Reade of Barton in Berkshire. Mary Cornwall Lady Reade (age 31) by marriage Lady Reade of Barton in Berkshire.

On 10 Mar 1661 Brian Broughton 1st Baronet (age 42) was created 1st Baronet Broughton of Broughton in Staffordshire.

On 20 Mar 1661 Thomas Rich 1st Baronet (age 60) was created 1st Baronet Rich of Sonning in Berkshire.

On 29 Mar 1661 Robert Cholmondeley 1st Viscount Cholmondeley (age 21) was created 1st Viscount Cholmondeley of Kells in County Meath.

On 30 Mar 1661 James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 50) was created 1st Duke Ormonde by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30). Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 45) by marriage Duchess Ormonde.

On 30 Mar 1661 John Fettiplace 1st Baronet (age 35) was created 1st Baronet Fettiplace of Childrey in Berkshire. Anne Wenman Lady Fettiplace (age 31) by marriage Lady Fettiplace of Childrey in Berkshire.

Before 29 Mar 1674 Charles I Landgrave Hesse-Kassel (age 19) and Maria Amalia of Courland Landgravine Hesse-Kassel (age 20) were married. She by marriage Landgravine Hesse Kassel. He the son of Wilhelm "The Just" VI Hesse-Kassel and Hedwig Sophia Hohenzollern (age 50). They were first cousins.

Evelyn's Diary. 29 Mar 1689. The new King (age 38) much blamed for neglecting Ireland, now likely to be ruined by the Lord Tyrconnel (age 59) and his Popish party, too strong for the Protestants. Wonderful uncertainty where King James (age 55) was, whether in France or Ireland. The Scots seem as yet to favor King William (age 38), rejecting King James's letter to them, yet declaring nothing positively. Soldiers in England discontented. Parliament preparing the coronation oath. Presbyterians and Dissenters displeased at the vote for preserving the Protestant religion as established by law, without mentioning what they were to have as to indulgence.

PAINTINGS/WISSING/William_III.png PAINTINGS/LELY/Anne_Hyde_4.png PAINTINGS/GASCAR/James_II.jpg PAINTINGS/LELY/James_II.png PAINTINGS/WRIGHT/King_James_II_1660.png

On 29 Mar 1692 Roger Boyle 2nd Earl Orrery (age 45) died. His son Lionel Boyle 3rd Earl Orrery (age 20) succeeded 3rd Earl Orrery. Mary Sackville Countess Orrery by marriage Countess Orrery.

After 29 Mar 1701. Monument to Elizabeth Saunderson (deceased) at St Wulfram's Church Grantham [Map].

Elizabeth Saunderson: In May 1657 she was born to Thomas Saunderson (age 28). Before 29 Mar 1701 Richard Middlemore (age 44) and Elizabeth Saunderson (age 43) were married. On 29 Mar 1701 Elizabeth Saunderson (age 43) died.

On 29 Mar 1726 Edward King 1st Earl Kingston was born to Henry King 3rd Baronet (age 45).

On 29 Mar 1792 Gustav III King Sweden (age 46) was assassinated. Charles XIII King Sweden (age 43) succeeded King Sweden.

PAINTINGS/ROSLIN/Gustav_III.jpg

On 29 Mar 1799 Edward Smith-Stanley 14th Earl of Derby was born to Edward Smith-Stanley 13th Earl of Derby (age 23) and Charlotte Margaret Hornby Countess Derby.

PAINTINGS/KAUFFMAN/Edward_Smith_Stanley.png

On 29 Mar 1804 John Parkinson (age 16) died at Winchester College. Monument at St James' Church, Kinnersley [Map]

John Parkinson: Around 1788 he was born to Leonard Parkinson (age 44) at Jamaica.

PAINTINGS/KAUFFMAN/John_Campbell.png

On 29 Mar 1840 Edward Heneage 1st Baron Heneage was born to George Fieschi Heneage (age 39).

On 29 Mar 1843 Robert Edward Petre 10th Baron Petre (age 79) died. His son William Henry Francis Petre 11th Baron Petre (age 50) succeeded 11th Baron Petre.

PAINTINGS/LUCAS/Charles_Masham.jpg

On 29 Mar 1869 Richard Verney 27th Baron Latimer 19th Baron Willoughby de Broke was born to Henry Verney 26th Baron Latimer 18th Baron Willoughby de Broke (age 24).

Before 29 Mar 1887 Herbert Gibbs 1st Baron Hunsdon (age 32) and Anna Maria Gibbs Baroness Hunsdon (age 54) were married. The difference in their ages was 22 years.

On 29 Mar 1899 John Scott 4th Earl Eldon was born to John Scott (age 29).

On 29 Mar 1930 Hugh Seymour 8th Marquess Hertford was born to Henry Charles Seymour (age 52).

On 29 Mar 1983 Antony Head 1st Viscount Head (age 76) died.

On 29 Mar 1992 John Spencer 8th Earl Spencer (age 68) died. His son Charles Spencer 9th Earl Spencer (age 27) succeeded 9th Earl Spencer, 9th Viscount Althorp, 9th Viscount Spencer, 9th Baron Spencer Althorp.