The New Murrey and Blue blog

Sir William Carey was another of the Lancastrian knights executed after the Battle of Tewkesbury.

Carey was the son of Philip Carey and Christian Orchard. He was born on 12 August 1437. His father died soon afterwards.

From an early age, William was in the service of Queen Margaret of Anjou. He was knighted by 1462, possibly after service at the Second Battle of St. Albans. He was pardoned by Edward IV, but was clearly unreconciled. After the Battle of Hexham, 1464, he fled abroad to join Margaret and was attainted. (His lands were in Devon, notably Cockington, a village popular with tourists to this day.

Naturally, he returned to England with Queen Margaret and was one of those who fled into the abbey after the battle. Subsequently, after summary trial by the Constable and Marshal, he was beheaded.

He married first Elizabeth Paulet and then Alice Fulford. He had one son with each wife.

His grandson, and Alice Fulford’s, was the William Carey who married Mary Boleyn, sister of Anne.