By: History.com Editors

1499

Flemish imposter executed in London

History.com Editors

Published: March 04, 2010

Last Updated: January 24, 2025

Perkin Warbeck, who invaded England in 1497 claiming to be the lost son of King Edward IV, is hanged for allegedly trying to escape from the Tower of London.

Believed to be a native of Tournai in Belgium, Warbeck went to Ireland in 1491 and claimed he was Richard, duke of York, the second son of Edward IV. Richard and his elder brother were presumed murdered in the Tower of London by their uncle, King Richard III, in 1483. Warbeck found support from the enemies of King Henry VII, the first Tudor king of England, and in 1497 landed at Cornwall and raised an army of 6,000 men. Faced with King Henry’s larger army, he fled but was captured and imprisoned. In November 1499, he was executed.

Warbeck’s story was written by the Tudors—history’s victors—and it might never be known whether he was actually Richard of York or just a Flemish impostor.

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Citation Information

Article title
Flemish imposter executed in London
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
March 25, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
January 24, 2025
Original Published Date
March 04, 2010

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