Up a Tree

Near the close of the 15th century, John de Vere made his appearance to the world at Castle Hedingham in Essex, England, the only surviving son of George de Vere, son of 12th Earl of Oxford. He appears too far back in my family tree to show a relationship, but he does show up in the direct line of succession. His father had been destined for the priesthood, and George's grandfather gave him a benefice -- an appointment to a church that involved property and an income for his pastoral services. But George's father and his eldest son were gruesonely executed in 1462, convicted of treason against the king, Edward IV, for aligning themselves with forces opposed to the king. Never a good idea in the Middle Ages. Edward took the high road and granted George's older brother, also named John, the title and lands that formerly belonged to their father. John, the 13th Earl, managed to get himself into several scrapes with the king, but survived and became a favorite of the Tudors whe...