Richard Hanson was well known in mid-15th century Hull. He was one of the town’s top merchants,
frequently to be found on the High Street conducting deals and inspecting
merchandise. Like other merchants he was
involved with the town’s governance and was one of its longest serving
aldermen. He also became mayor four times when most people completed just a single term.
As mayor he would have been an unmissable figure, presiding over market
days and town meetings dressed up in his robe, cape and furs.
Hanson served as mayor during a decade when England
descended into war as the Lancastrians and Yorkists fought over who deserved to
rule. His final term began in 1460 as
the conflict was in full swing. Any
plans he had for the future of the town had to be laid to one side, as his priority
had to be keeping citizens safe from the violence happening all around them.
In autumn 1460, the Yorkists appeared to have the upper hand
as they held King Henry VI a prisoner in London. However, Queen Margaret was preparing to
fight back by raising a new army and asked that men who supported the Lancastrian
cause gather near Hull. From across the
north fifteen thousand answered her call including Richard Hanson.
A Yorkist army marched north to answer this new threat led
by Richard, Duke of York. They faced a hazardous journey along waterlogged
roads in the bitter winter weather. The
two sides met on 30th December near Wakefield with Richard and his tired troops
facing an army twice their size. Unsurprisingly
the Yorkists lost and lost badly. 2000 died
including their leader Richard whilst the Lancastrians suffered just 200
fatalities.
Throughout the war Hull had remained on the side of the
Lancastrians, so town authorities were pleased when news came through of this
victory. They bought a horse from one of
the town’s butchers and sent it to Queen Margaret’s army along with a barrel of
wine. Then however their happiness was
punctured by the news that although the Lancastrian dead were few in number,
among them was their mayor Richard Hanson.
The newly energised Lancastrian force began the march down
to London but were forced to turn back after meeting resistance at St
Alban’s. Following this the Duke of
York’s son, Edward, was proclaimed king.
Then, like his father before him, he too marched north to confront a Lancastrian army. So the war dragged on and the lives of Hull’s
citizens continued to revolve around protecting their town from attack, only
now it was without the help of one their most experienced leaders.
Picture: Extract
from 'Gregory's Chronicle: 1451-1460' taken from British History
Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/camden-record-soc/vol17/pp196-210
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