George, Duke of Clarence
Duke of Clarence
"I have served my brother faithfully, and yet am passed over as if I were nothing."
Biography
George, Duke of Clarence, was Edward IV's middle brother — charming, vain, and catastrophically disloyal. He sided with Warwick during the rebellion of 1469–1470, even marrying Warwick's daughter and joining him in France to restore Henry VI. When it became clear that backing Lancaster offered him no advantage, he switched back to Edward's side before Barnet, betraying Warwick whom he had just helped restore. Edward forgave him once; when George began agitating against the crown again, circulating rumors that Edward was illegitimate, Edward had him privately executed in the Tower of London. According to popular legend — recorded within a generation — he was drowned in a barrel of Malmsey wine of his own choosing.
Did you know?
According to sources written within decades of his death, George chose to be drowned in a butt of Malmsey wine — a sweet fortified wine — rather than face a conventional execution
Key Battles
Battle of Edgecote Moor
Lancaster victoryJuly 26, 1469 · 2,000 total casualties
Edgecote Moor marked Warwick's open break with Edward IV. The Kingmaker was attempting to rule England through a captive king — exactly what Edward had done earlier with Henry VI. But the experiment failed: Edward could not effectively govern from captivity, and Warwick was eventually forced to release him, sowing the seeds of his own destruction.
Battle of Barnet
York victoryApril 14, 1471 · 4,000 total casualties
The death of Warwick the Kingmaker removed the most dangerous threat to Edward's restored throne. Warwick had made and unmade two kings; his end in the fog at Barnet brought the turbulent middle phase of the wars to a close. Edward IV would now rule England uncontested for twelve years.
Battle of Tewkesbury
York victoryMay 4, 1471 · 2,000 total casualties
Tewkesbury extinguished the legitimate male Lancastrian line. Henry VI, already imprisoned in the Tower of London, was murdered shortly after the news arrived. Margaret of Anjou was captured and eventually ransomed to France. For the next twelve years, there was no plausible Lancastrian claimant — except a young Welshman in Brittany named Henry Tudor.
Life Journey
Timeline
October 21, 1449
🌅 Birth
Born at Dublin Castle, Ireland
July 26, 1469
⚔️ Battle
Sided with Warwick at Edgecote Moor against his own brother Edward IV
April 14, 1471
⚔️ Battle
Switched back to Edward at Barnet; betrayed Warwick at the decisive moment
February 18, 1478
✝️ Death
Secretly executed in the Tower of London — allegedly drowned in a wine barrel