On This Day in History, 30th Decemver 1460. Richard Plantaganet the 3rd Duke of York was killed in Sandle Castle in the Battle of Wakefeild.
He was a key protaganist in the Cousin's War and in a way, caused it! He Seen his claim to the throne stronger than that of the actual king. Henry VI. Henry's grandfather Henry IV took the throne from Richard II.
To mock him, Henry's men placed a paper crown on his head as a symbol of his loss. Then true to his rank, he was decapatated with a sword. As we know from.the execution of Anne Boleyn seventy three years, this is a painless and quick death.
This causes a ripple effect as three months later at the Battle of Towton, Richard's oldest son Edward Plantaganet the Earl of March became Edward IV the 12th Plantaganet king of England.