The New Murrey and Blue blog

Not the least of the interesting facts that emerge from Philippa Langley’s new book is that in August/September 1499, Margaret of Burgundy wrote a formal apology to Henry VII in an attempt to save ‘Perkin Warbeck’s’ life. At roughly the same time her son-in-law wrote to Henry VII offering friendship in an attempt to save ‘Perkin’s’ life.

If ‘Perkin‘ was just the son of a boatman, why on earth would such notables as the Dowager Duchess of Burgundy and the King of the Romans (Emperor in all but name) crawl to their enemy Henry VII in an attempt to save his life?

It simply does not make sense. Such people did not humiliate themselves without very good reason, and the life of an obscure imposter who had allegedly made them both look like complete fools was very far from a sufficient cause.