John Morton

Also known as: Iohn Morton / bishop of Elie / chancellor of England / doctor Morton · Family: England · Role: bishop and chancellor · First appears: Edward IV 29

Under Edward IV, John Morton was bishop of Ely and chancellor of England. He had remained faithful to Henry VI, leaving the realm with the queen and prince when Edward IV held the king prisoner, and did not return until the field. After Edward IV’s death, Richard III placed him in the custody of Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham at Brecknocke.

While held by Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, Morton used conversation, praise, and careful prompting to advance opposition to Richard III. He helped raise Henry Stafford, Duke of Buckingham to prominence, gathered gentlemen to aid Henry VII, and urged the duke to seize the crown, “intending thereby to compasse how to destroie, and vtterlie confound king Richard, and to depriue him of his dignitie roiall”.

By c. 1483–1484, Morton was in Flanders, where he advanced the conspiracy against Richard III through secret letters and disguised messengers. When he learned of deceit in the plot, he sent Christopher Urswick to warn Henry VII. After Henry VII returned, he recalled Morton, made him Archbishop of Canterbury and Chancellor of England, and the pope added the honour of cardinal.