Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham

Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (1478-1521), political rival of Henry VIII of England. The eldest son of Henry Stafford, 2nd duke of Buckingham, Edward Stafford inherited his father's title when Henry VII became king in 1485. Under Henry VIII he became a privy councillor and lord high constable, but because he had a claim to the throne as a descendant of Edward III, Henry regarded him as a potential threat. Having also aroused the enmity of Henry's chief minister, Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, Buckingham was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London in April 1521. He was convicted of plotting against the king and was beheaded the following month.