3. Lambert Simnel: The Boy King
Lambert Simnel’s astonishing rise began when Yorkist conspirators coached him to impersonate Edward Plantagenet, a legitimate heir to the English throne. In 1487, the young Simnel led a foreign-backed army into England, sparking the dramatic Battle of Stoke Field. Although his forces were crushed, Simnel’s convincing act briefly united Yorkist supporters and threatened the fledgling Tudor dynasty. His story remains a remarkable example of how a well-orchestrated deception could almost change royal succession. See History Extra
