John Morton: Adversary of Richard III, Power Behind the Tudors

New paperback edition - One of the most unfairly neglected figures in English history, who served three kings, opposed Richard III and enabled the Tudor dynasty. ''Truly scholarly... a welcome addition.'' ''Morton is a figure who played quite a large role in the early years of the Tudor period, but who doesn’t seem to have been written about much. So, this is an important study to highlight his role and the influence he had on the creation of the Tudor dynasty and the Tudor power. Books so often focus on the big players of the period like the monarchs, consorts, and largely the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, that it is refreshing to get books about lesser-known players. It is dense and very detailed, but an important addition to books on people associated with the Tudor reigns.''

John Morton (c. 1420–1500) was one of the most important men in the land from the Wars of the Roses to the start of the Tudor dynasty. Yet he has been largely ignored in recent times.

He was a man of great character and influence over politics and the Church. He lived into his eighties, having served three kings as a councillor, Master of the Rolls, Lord Chancellor, bishop, Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal. He was a key figure in the early Tudor state. He had escaped from the Tower of London, lived in exile twice, and was a major adversary of Richard III. He funded the building of Hatfield Palace, the first drainage of the fens, and the central tower of Canterbury Cathedral. The Morton Missal contained the first printed music in England.

As S. B. Chrimes observed, ‘Although there can be little doubt that Morton was the key figure in Henry VII’s government, nothing approaching an adequate study of his life and role has yet been published.’ In fact, no detailed biography of Morton has been produced since Victorian times.

This book follows John Morton’s career through the reigns of Henry VI and Edward IV, and his central role in opposition to Richard III, before his fifteen years as Lord Chancellor to Henry VII, which were crucial to the establishment of the Tudor dynasty.

• | Author: Stuart Bradley
• | Publisher: Amberley Publishing
• | Publication Date: Jul 15, 2025
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Paperback / softback
• | ISBN-13: 9781398125520
• | ISBN-10: 1398125520