John Stafford, 1st Earl of Wiltshire (1427-1473)
| Badge: | Stafford Knot, Or (taken from Ms. 2ndM.16, College of Arms) |
| Standard: | St George in the hoist. Field: sable over gules, a bordure company sable and gules. Badges, A Swan, wings extended argent, beaked and footed gules with a crown and chain about the neck charged with a crescent, gules. Stafford Knots, Or. Motto: Humble et Loyal, Argent |
Born 24 November 1427, the fourth son to Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham.
In 1461 he was made a Knight of the Bath by Edward IV.
He fought on the Yorkist side at their victory at the Battle of Hexham on 15 May 1464.
In 1469 he was made Steward of the Duchy of Cornwall for life and later that year he was created 1st Earl of Wiltshire.
In March 1470 he was present at the Battle of Losecote Field and in April 1470 he was with Edward IV army at Exeter prior to the subsequent pursuit of Warwick and Clarence which resulted in their flight to Europe, Wiltshire being given the power to issue pardons to any of their supporters who submitted before 7 May.
Warwick returned to England in September 1470, Edward caught out by the speed of Warwick’s advance was forced to flee across the Channel, Wiltshire was arrested and imprisoned and unlike his brother only released in 1471 following Edward IV’s return. Wiltshire was reunited with the King in London in April 1471 and was present at the Battle of Barnet on the 14 April 1471 and at the Battle of Tewkesbury in May.
As reward for his loyalty he was made Chief Butler of England and a Knight of the Garter in 1472.
He married Constance Green, and had one child, Edward born 7 April 1470, who succeeded him as 2nd Earl of Wiltshire on his death on 8 May 1473
(Edward Stafford became a Knight of the Bath and married Margaret Grey, daughter of Edward Grey, Viscount Lisle. Edward died childless in March 1499).
