ne of the most important Lancastrian leaders during the Wars of the Roses was John de Vere, the 13th Earl of Oxford. John married Margaret Neville, the daughter of Alice Montagu, Countess of Salisbury, and sister of Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick and 'Kingmaker'.

Robert de Vere was one of the the favourites of King Richard II, to whom Richard gave titles in Ireland and power there even though he had no rightful claims. Robert married Philippa Coucy, the granddaughter of King {King Edward III}. Robert headed a group of courtiers that the King favoured above his uncles, and other members of the royal family. Robert's position rivaled the power of the King's uncle, John of Gaunt, even though he had no experience as a soldier or in finance. King Richard was criticised over his attachments to de Vere and tensions began to rise. To make matters worse, Robert then divorced Philippa Coucy to marry his mistress. The King's uncle, Thomas Woodstock, the Duke of Gloucester, and several other high raking nobles, known as the 'Lords Appellant' rose up against the King in protest against the way the country was being governed. Robert de Vere was sent to Chester where an army was ready to support the King. The army came south to confront the Lords Appellant and at Radcot Bridge in Oxfordshire, a crossing of the River Thames, a battle took place. de Vere and his army were defeated but he managed to escape by swimming across the river and the fled abroard to die in poverty.

The abbot of Monte Cassino was the successor to Pope Gregory VII and became Pope in 1086. At first he resisted the appointment and it took a whole year before he arrived in Rome in May of 1086 to take up the position and be appointed as Pope. Within a week of entering Rome riots in the city forced him to leave and return to Monte Cassino. Victor returned to Rome in May of 1087 where he was crowned at St. Peter's church. His reign was short-lived as Victor died in September of 1087.