Editing Perkin Warbeck (section)

==Support in England (Perkin Warbeck conspiracy)==

Pro-Yorkist sympathy in England involved important figures making it known that they were prepared to back Warbeck's claims. These included Lord Fitzwater, Sir [[Simon Mountford (died 1495)|Simon Montfort]], Sir [[Thomas Thwaites (civil servant)|Thomas Thwaites]] (ex-[[Chancellor of the Exchequer]]), Sir [[William Stanley (Battle of Bosworth)|William Stanley]] (the [[Lord Chamberlain]]) and Sir Robert Clifford. Clifford went over to mainland Europe and wrote back to his friends to confirm Warbeck's real identity as Prince Richard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lordsandladies.org/perkin-warbeck.htm|title= Perkin Warbeck|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref>

King Henry ordered the group of supporters to be rounded up and put on trial. All were duly arrested, together with William D'Aubeney, Thomas Cressener, Thomas Astwode, Robert Ratcliff and others. Lord Fitzwater was sent as a prisoner to Calais and later beheaded for trying to bribe his gaolers.

In show trials in January 1495, all the conspirators were initially condemned to death, although six, including Thwaites, were then pardoned and their sentences commuted to imprisonment and fines. Within days Sir Simon Montfort, Robert Ratcliff and William D'Aubeney were beheaded at [[Tower Hill]] and Cressener and Astwode pardoned at the block. Later the same month Sir William Stanley was also beheaded. Other members of the group were imprisoned and fined.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Perkin Warbeck Conspiracy| first=Ian|last=Arthurson}} {{ISBN?}}</ref> Sir Robert Clifford was pardoned and rewarded for revealing the names of the conspirators.