William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk

Also known as: William de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk / William de la Poole earle of Suffolke / William de la Poole, Duke of Suffolk / William marquesse of Suffolke / marques of Suffolke / marquesse · Family: England · Role: commander · First appears: Henry VI 1

William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk, served as an English commander alongside John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford, Thomas Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, Robert Scales, Lord Scales, Robert Poynings, Lord Poynings and John Fastolf at the siege of Pont Meulan. In 1429, he was at Iargeaux with his brothers Alexander Poole and John de la Pole when French forces captured the town; Alexander Poole was killed, while William and John de la Pole were taken. In 1430, he joined Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, John FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel and John of Luxembourg, Lord of Ligny in besieging Campiegne, and in 1443 represented Henry VI at the peace conference at Tours with Adam Molins and Robert Ros.

By about 1445, William had become highly influential with Henry VI. With his help, the king revoked Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York’s grant of the regency and gave it to William; shortly afterward, William obtained the wardships of Margaret Beaufort, Countess of Richmond and her lands. The account says he “ruled the king at his pleasure,” and also connects him with Henry VI’s favor and advancement.

Around 1450, William was briefly confined in the Tower, then released and restored to royal favor. At Leicester, the commons accused him and James Fiennes, Lord Saye over the surrender of French territories; Henry VI removed James Fiennes, Lord Saye from office and banished William for five years. He was also accused of helping cause the death of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, of promising the release of Anjou to René of Anjou and Charles of Anjou, and of revealing the king’s council secrets to Jean de Dunois and William Cosinet. While attempting to sail to France, he was intercepted by a ship belonging to John Holland, Duke of Exeter, brought to Dover Road, and beheaded.