21st November 2021
My Ricardian songs continue to be the most popular ones that I have written so I felt that I ought to try to compose another one for my next album. I recalled that the Lancastrian Earl of Oxford had captured St Michael's Mount during the reign of Edward VI and so I wrote this song:-
The Siege of St. Michael's Mount
After defeat at the battle of Barnet
John de Vere fled to France
He'd escaped via Scotland
With such sorry circumstance
He would still oppose King Edward
And gain support from the King of France
Who was a universal spider
Was this John de Vere's last chance
John de Vere the Earl of Oxford
Then turned to piracy
A privateer in the summer
In the channel's narrow sea
At the end of September
He sailed to the Cornish coast
St Michael's Mount he took by force
Of it's capture he could boast
An embarrassment for King Edward
Though not a threat so he believed
The King's man in Cornwall
Was placed in charge of the siege
John de Vere offered bribes
So that supplies could be received
The King's man was corrupt
Of this King Edward was displeased
John Fortescue the chief justice
Was dispatched to gain a victory
Along with him he would bring
The master of the royal artillery
Free pardons and rewards were offered
To the men under John de Vere's command
One byone his men deserted
John Fortescue gained the upper hand
John de Vere then surrendered
There was no prospect of success
For many years he was in prison
For his Lancastrian faithfulness