War of The Roses
His father Lionel de Welles was killed at Towton in 1461 and his elder half-brother Richard became the 7th Baron; however he was beheaded in 1470. Richard's son and heir Robert, 8th Baron was also executed. The attainder of those two prevented John inheriting the barony.
A pardon in 1478 did not prevent him from participating in Buckingham's rebellion. He escaped to his nephew in Brittany after its collapse. Henry knighted him on 7 August 1485 and was created Viscount before 1 September 1487 and given substantial grants.
Read more about this topic: Viscount Welles
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