Alternative successions of the English and British crown of the "Clarence" claim also draw on the debated validity of Edward IV's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, which allows them to argue that, even if Edward was legitimate, his children were not. Another point is that Henry VI passed a law in 1470 that should both he and his son Edward of Westminster die without further legitimate issue, the crown was to pass to "Clarence", as Henry had placed an attainder upon Edward IV. When Henry died in 1471 (Prince Edward having died in battle shortly before), "Clarence" (who could claim descent from John of Gaunt, as could his wife
Henry Stafford (c. 1425 – 1471) he was sometimes so ill that Reginald Bray had to take over his responsibilities. Although he had chosen the winning side, Henry was seriously wounded at Barnet and did not return to London with the victorious army. On 17 April Margaret hurried from Woking to London and sent a rider to Barnet for news of her husband. Henry was taken home, but never recovered from his wounds and died in his bed on 4 October 1471. Reginald Bray organized his burial at Pleshey. Henry appears as a character in Philippa Gregory's series of novels "The Cousins' War" and is played