Cardinal John Morton (1486-1500) who had studied law at Cambridge, was imprisoned as a traitor by Richard III, escaped and fled to Flanders, returning when Henry VII took the Crown. He became a trusted adviser, employed secret agents, negotiated Henry’s marriage to Elizabeth of York, thus helping heal the Lancaster-York rift of the Wars of the Roses, and as Chancellor was an extremely astute businessman. John Morton was also involved in the construction of Canterbury Cathedral’s central Bell Harry Tower and was responsible for minor building works at Otford, dying at Knole in 1500.
John Morton, Cardinal and Archbishop of Canterbury 1486-1500
- by nickrushby