An historic non-event

Image: © Row17 Taken: 16 May 2012

This memorial indicates the site of a non-event that changed English history. This is the site where in September 1398 a personal battle - trial by combat if you will - was to be fought between Thomas, Duke of Norfolk and Henry, Duke of Hereford, in front of King Richard II (Plantagenet). Before the contest began the King decided to cancel the contest, sending both parties into exile. The King then confiscated the lands of both protagonists. Thomas, Duke of Norfolk died in France shortly afterwards. However, Henry, Duke of Hereford became somewhat annoyed (to say the least) when he was also disinherited from his fathers estate by the King. His father just happened to be John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. Due to this slight by the King, said Henry invaded England with a small army and eventually arrested the King. Henry, also known as Henry Bolingbroke, was then, by statute of Parliament declared King. The, now, King Henry IV had the ex-King imprisoned in Pontefract Castle where he later died in suspicious circumstances. The Royal House of Lancaster now started its disastrous and bloody term of office until in 1471 it was finally destroyed by the equally bloodied House of York. It could, therefore, be argued that the second phase of the 'Hundred Years War' and the 'Wars of the Roses' started here, just east of Coventry city centre.

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