Skip to main content

Primary sourceBookc. 1473–1483

Warkworth's Chronicle

Attributed to John Warkworth · c. 1473–1483

An English chronicle recording Henry VI's brief restoration to the throne and his death in the Tower in 1471, with Richard of Gloucester present.

This chronicle records Henry VI's death in the Tower of London, naming Richard of Gloucester as present.

Ask Henry VI about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Dark blue-black cloth book cover with a central oval panel framed by an ornate interlaced arabesque pattern, a University of Toronto barcode label at top left, and a white call-number label reading DA 20 C17 at bottom left.
Warkworth's Chronicle, c. 1473–1483. Peterhouse, Cambridge.

About this source

What it is

This chronicle, once attributed to John Warkworth, a Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge, was written not long after the events it describes. It is held today at Peterhouse, Cambridge.

Why it matters

The chronicle reports the readeption of Henry VI to the throne and his death on the night of 21 May 1471, naming Richard of Gloucester (later Richard III) as present at the Tower of London at the time. This makes it an important, though not conclusive, piece of evidence in long-running debates about how and why Henry VI died.

Look closer

  • Why might it matter that this chronicle names a specific person present at Henry's death?
  • What does the uncertain authorship of this chronicle tell you about how medieval records were made and copied?
  • Why do historians treat even contemporary chronicles with some caution?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Henry VI on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Henry VI sources

Meet the AI Henry VI →
Full page of an illuminated manuscript: a miniature at top shows a figure presenting a book to a seated king with crowned attendants and courtiers under a blue vaulted hall with fleurs-de-lis, beside a second scene of a kneeling man. Below are columns of gothic text, a red wax-style seal and a coat of arms, decorated with floral borders and a scroll at the bottom.Book

Primary source

Talbot Shrewsbury Book

Master of the Munich Golden Legend · 1444/1445

Painted portrait of a young man in a black cap and black gown with white collar and gold chain of office, set against a red background. He has his hands clasped at the bottom of the image, one with a gold ring.Painting

Secondary source

King Henry VI

Unknown English artist · c. 1540

Front view of Eton College's brick gatehouse: two tall turrets with cupolas flank a central clock face and gate arch, with rows of mullioned windows along the wings under a cloudy sky.Artifact

Primary source

Eton College

1440

Front (west) view of King's College Chapel, Cambridge: tall pale stone towers with pinnacles flank a large pointed Gothic window filled with tracery, above a central doorway with a wooden door and iron gate. Green lawn in front, blue sky with clouds.Artifact

Primary source

King's College Chapel

1446–1515

A very dark, nearly black image of an ornate decorative frame or cartouche with scrollwork and an oval central panel, likely the front cover or title-page ornament of a printed book. Details are barely visible.Book

Secondary source

The Historie of the Arrivall of Edward IV

Unknown (servant of Edward IV) · c. 1500

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Henry VI now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions