Lovell our Dogge: The Life of Viscount Lovell, Closest Friend of Richard III and Failed Regicide

William Collingbourne, a Tudor agent, posted a lampoon in St. Paul's Cathedral in 1484 depicting Sir William Catesby, Sir Richard Ratcliffe, and Francis Lovell as rulers of England under a hog. Lovell, a close friend of Richard III and a wealthy baron, was linked to him by marriage. He served with the Duke of Gloucester in Scotland, guarded the south coast against Henry Tudor, organized a revolt in Yorkshire, and was involved in the Lambert Simnel enterprise. His loyalty remained unwavering even after Bosworth, and he played a prominent role in various plots. His final demise remains a mystery.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

In the summer of 1484, Tudor agent William Collingbourne, who had been executed for treason in 1484, affixed a lampoon to the walls of St Paul's Cathedral. The lampoon depicted a hierarchy of animals ruling over England, with a cat, a rat, and a dog at the top. The cat was Sir William Catesby, one of Richard III's principal councillors and Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was executed after the Battle of Bosworth. The rat was Sir Richard Ratcliffe, who had fought alongside Richard during the Scottish campaigns. The dog was Francis Lovell, not only an ally of Richard III but also his closest friend, and one of the wealthiest barons in England. Author Michèle Schindler delves into primary sources to uncover the man who was not only a boyhood friend of the future king as a ward of Edward IV but also linked to him by marriage. His wife, Anne FitzHugh, was the first cousin of Richard's wife, Anne Neville. Lovell served with the Duke of Gloucester, who was then Richard III, in Scotland in 1481. At Richard's coronation, Lovell bore the third sword of state. In June 1485, he was assigned the task of guarding the south coast against the anticipated landing of Henry Tudor. His loyalty remained unwavering even after Bosworth. He orchestrated a revolt in Yorkshire and was involved in an attempt to assassinate Henry VII. After fleeing to Flanders, he played a prominent role in the Lambert Simnel enterprise. He participated in the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487 and was observed escaping, with his destination unknown. His final demise presents an intriguing puzzle that the author skillfully unravels throughout the book.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 196 x 131 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398103399