Background

The Wars of the Roses were a dynastic struggle for the crown of England in the late fifteenth century, involving a dozen battles the length and breadth of England, from Hexham in the north to Saint Albans just north of London.

The largest, longest, bloodiest battle in English history was fought as part these wars. At Towton, a small village south west of York, a battle was fought in a snowstorm on Palm Sunday in 1461. Contemporary chroniclers put the death toll as high as 28000 men. The only sign that a battle of this scale took place is a simple stone cross by the road.

Sir William Gascoigne's Fellowship aims to accurately portray the common person. We do not have a 'Sir William Gascoigne', as our small group would be one of several groups of men recruited to fight under a petty captain. A number of petty captains would take orders from their Captain, Gascoigne himself, who in turn fought for Sir Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland. This is why we can be seen wearing black and red at most events, as they were the Percy family livery colours.

Our social structure is therefore based quite low. This doesn't mean that we are all homeless beggars wearing rags in the Monty Python style, but are common tenant farmers, lead by a constable who is a man of the parish with a slightly higher status. Our current constable, Daniel 'Nellkyn' Trollope, is a bailiff. Even within the rank of tenant farmer, there are class differences.

For military events, women portray low-status roles suitable for a military campaign, such as laundresses and hucksters.

The real Gascoignes

• Sir Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland
  Born 3rd February 1392.
  Created Earl of Northumberland by Parliament on the 16th March 1415.
  Killed in the first battle of the Wars of the Roses at Saint Albans on 23rd May 1455.
• Sir Henry Percy, 3rd Earl of Northumberland
  Son and heir to the 2nd Earl of Northumberland.
  Was born on the 25th July 1421. In consequence of his marriage he was summoned to Parliament as Lord Poynings. Created the Earl of Northumberland sometime after his fathers' death. Fought for the Lancastrian cause at the battle of Wakefield. Mortally wounded at the battle of Towton. Died of his wounds at the family house in York. Buried in Saint Dennis' church, York with his younger brother who was killed in the battle.
• Sir Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland
  Only son and heir to the 3rd Earl. Born about 1449. He was restored to the earldom of Northumberland in 1470. On the death of his mother in February 1483/4 he became Lord Poynings. Supported Richard, Duke of Gloucester in the invasion of Scotland in 1482. Raises men in the name of Richard III and was present at the battle of Bosworth. He was killed in a riot on 28th April 1489.

They held extensive lands in West Yorkshire and lived at Gawthorpe Hall, which no longer exists, having been demolished in the eighteenth century to build a lake at Harewood House. At this time, the Gascoignes relocated to Lotherton Hall, a few miles down the road from Towton. In the grounds of Harewood House is a church containing the tombs of Sir William (I) and Sir William (III). Sir William (I)'s grandfather's tomb is also here - a famous judge of his time. He is dressed in his judge's robes whereas the rest of the Gascoigne males are portrayed in a harness (suit of armour). These tombs have only been re-erected in the last twenty years.

• Sir William Gascoigne I
  Sir William Gascoigne (I) was a Yorkshire knight who was a captain for Sir Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland. He fought for him at the battle of Wakefield (1460), and also at the battle of Towton (1461), where he was on the Lancastrian (losing) side and so was attained by the victorious Edward IV. He died peacefully in 1466 and his son took over the reigns of the family.
• Sir William Gascoigne II
  Sir William Gascoigne (II) was a Yorkshire knight who was a captain for Sir Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland. He may have fought for him at the battle of Wakefield (1460), and also at the battle of Towton (1461), where he was on the Lancastrian (losing) side with his father and so was attained by the victorious Edward IV.
• Sir William Gascoigne III
  Retained by the Earl of Northumberland and the Duke of Gloucester. Knighted by the Duke of Gloucester at Berwick during the 1482 invasion of Scotland. One of the manors held by this William Gascoigne was Wood Hall, which has recently been excavated.
• William Gascoigne - the 21st century!
  We are pleased to say that we have been in contact with the current William Gascoigne, of Stanton Harcourt, and he is now an honorary member of the group!