Warbeck, Perkin (1474?-1499), became one of the most famous “pretenders” in European history. He appeared in Ireland in 1491 to challenge King Henry VII of England. Warbeck claimed to be Richard, the younger son of the former Yorkist king of England, Edward IV. Richard and his brother, Edward V, had been imprisoned in the Tower of London by their uncle, Richard III, in 1483 and were never heard of again. Warbeck’s claim to the throne was supported by a number of people who were dissatisfied with King Henry, by many followers of the House of York in England, and by several European princes who were Henry’s enemies.
Warbeck tried to invade England from 1495 to 1497, but he was captured in 1497 and imprisoned. When he tried to escape, Henry had him hanged on Nov. 23, 1499. There is convincing evidence that Warbeck was a Flemish commoner, not royalty.
