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We originally believed that
Hector Protector might
relate to a Lord Protector
of England, such as Oliver
Cromwell or Edward Seymour,
but the words simply did not
relate to their stories. But
there was another, lesser
known Protector of England.
We believe the 'Hector
Protector' of the Nursery
rhyme relates to Richard,
Duke of York (1411–1460)
The Story of 'Hector
Protector'!
Richard, Duke of York
(1411–1460) was claimant to
the English throne. The
reigning monarch was the
weak and ineffective King
Henry VI (1421–1471) who was
married to the determined
and highly ambitious
Margaret of Anjou
(1430–1482). Margaret ruled
as Queen Consort and there
was a bitter power struggle
between her and Richard. In
1447 Richard was made heir
presumptive to the throne
but was sent to Ireland to
get him out of the away. He
returned to England in 1450
to fight against the growing
ambitions of the Queen and
her supporters. At this time
Richard was able to secure
control of the government as
Protector due to the onset
of the Kings insanity. The
King recovered, and had a
son and Richard was
dismissed from his role as
Protector and forced to flee
to Ireland in 1459. He
returned in 1460 but was
killed at the battle of
Wakefield by the Queen's
forces. |
