John Clifford, 9th Baron de Clifford

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John Clifford, 9th Baron de Clifford (1435 – 28 March 1461), was a Lancastrian military leader during the Wars of the Roses. For a period, he was the right-hand man of Margaret of Anjou.

The son of Thomas Clifford, 8th Baron de Clifford, John Clifford married Margaret de Blomflete (1436-1493) and had one son, Henry.

He inherited the barony on his father's death at the First Battle of St Albans in 1455. Possibly motivated by a desire to avenge Thomas, John Clifford came to the forefront of the Lancastrian cause. Following the Battle of Wakefield in 1460, he arranged the execution of Edmund, Earl of Rutland, the seventeen-year-old son of the Duke of York, the latter having been killed in the battle.

As a ferocious fighter, Clifford earned at least two nicknames. After the War of the Roses, he was known as Black-faced Clifford. Later, after the battle of Wakefield, he was also know as The Butcher.^[1]

Clifford was killed at the Battle of Ferrybridge in the following year, struck by an arrow in the throat after having carelessly removed his gorget. His son was placed under an attainder which was later lifted.

Clifford is a major character in William Shakespeare's play, Henry VI, Part 3, in which he is portrayed as thirsty for revenge following the death of his father, and personally responsible for the death of Edmund, Earl of Rutland.^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ Gee, H.L. (1960). Folk Tales of Yorkshire. London: Thomas Nelson and Sons, LTD. p. 36. 
2. ^ "www.thepeerage.com". http://www.thepeerage.com/p15363.htm#i153627. 

Peerage of England
Preceded by Thomas Clifford	Baron de Clifford 1455–1461	Succeeded by Henry Clifford