On ths day 11th October 1459 Richard Duke of York, his wife and children, as well as the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick, were all at Ludlow Castle anticipating the arrival of the Lancastrian army the following day with King Henry VI at its head. It would not go well for them.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A tawny owl calling from the oak tree.

On this day 10th October 1361 Joan, Countess of Kent, married Edward of Woodstock, the Black Prince, in Westminster Abbey, after her prevous marital adventures with two husbands. This 20th C image of Joan from the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Ware, Kent, is by Christoper Whall.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Wet and windy. Keeping an eye out for returning fieldfares.

On This Day 8th October 1403 King Henry IV ordered the arrest of Elizabeth Mortimer, widow of Hotspur, as a traitor's wife. Soon pardoned, and married to Lord Thomas de Camoys. Hotspur's remains re-assembled and restored to her, to be buried (tradition says) in an unmarked grave in York Minster.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. So much autumn colour in the early sunshine.

On this day 7th October 1368 died Lionel, Duke of Clarence. His only heir Philippa had married Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March, giving the Mortimers a strong connection to the English throne, later claimed by Richard Duke of York. Here Lionel a weeper on the tomb of his father Edward III.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Another lovely misty sunrise. Before the rain and cooler weather arrives.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Today’s sunrise over the orchards.

A lovely morning in Hereford yesterday with a little light retail therapy. The sun shone, and Sir Edward was as calmly contemplative as ever, with autum leaves at his feet and leaning on Mr Pheobus.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Autumn colour. Sunny here but the Welsh hills in the distance in thick cloud.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A dark stemmed cornus beginning to shine in autumn colours.

Another splendid October page, this one from the Huth Book of Hours produced possibly in Bruges between 1485 and 1490. The floral decoration is lovely.

On this day 2nd October 1452 the future Richard III was born at Fotheringhay Castle, son of Richard Duke of York and Cecily Neville. Portrait from the NPG.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. Glorious sky after a rain shower.

Celebrating the first day of October with the October page from the early 15th Century Book of Hours, the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. Preparing the fields for winter and sowing seeds against a backdrop of the magnificent Louvre Palace. As usual the blue colour is superb.

Good morning from the Welsh Marches. A beautiful layer of thick mist in the valley.

On this day 30th September 1399 Henry Bolingbroke, eldest son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, was formally proclaimed King of England after his cousin Richard II resigned the position. It was October before he was crowned King Henry IV in Westminster Abbey.