William Hastings, Baron Hastings

Also known as: William Hastings, Lord Hastings / William lord Hastings / William the lord Hastings / lord Hastings · Family: House of York · Role: chamberlain · First appears: Edward IV 10

William Hastings was a Yorkist chamberlain and a loyal servant of Edward IV, “yet was euer true to the king his maister.” Around 1470, while Edward IV and his supporters prepared to leave England during the rebellion, Hastings urged those who had to remain to appear friendly to the opposing king while secretly staying faithful to Edward IV, then joined the king’s ship. Though married to Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick’s sister, he remained loyal to Edward IV; at Tewkesbury around 1471, he led the rereward alongside Thomas Grey, Marquess of Dorset against Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset (the younger) and John (brother of the Duke of Somerset). He also stood with Edward IV’s supporters when Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales was murdered.

By 1474, Edward IV regarded Hastings as his chief chamberlain, a man of great authority, and Louis XI granted him an annual pension of two thousand crowns. After Edward IV’s death around 1483, Hastings allied with Richard III and Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham against the queen’s relatives, while persuading the lords that Richard III was faithful to Edward V and that the queen’s supporters had been arrested for the kingdom’s safety. His persuasion partly calmed the unrest, but William Catesby reported that Hastings opposed their plans, and Richard III, though he had kept Hastings close and appeared to love him, arranged for his removal.

In London, Richard III arrested Hastings for treason and ordered his execution at the Tower, where he was beheaded; a proclamation then accused him of plotting against Richard III and Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham. Before his death, Thomas Stanley, Earl of Derby sent a warning urging him to flee, but Hastings remained. After Edward IV died, Hastings also took Jane Shore.