Interestingly, Margaret of York (sister to Edward IV and Richard III) became a proponent of Perkin's while he was in Burgundy in the late 1480s. Other supporters included Maximilian, King of the Romans and later Emperor, James IV of Scotland, and Sir William Stanley (brother of Thomas, who helped Henry Tudor win the Battle of Bosworth). Sir William was even beheaded in 1495 on a charge for treason when he declared that if Perkin Warbeck were indeed the son of Edward IV, he would never bear arms against him.
Perkin was accepted among many European royal circles, and Hall's Chronicle notes that he had a "princely countenance" and evident dignity. He was able to inspire thousands to risk all in an effort to place him on the throne of England. These would have been difficult feats to achieve, indeed, if the general populace of England (and Europe) believed without a doubt that the princes had died in the Tower. In fact, Sir George Buck reports his own doubts in the matter (and belief in Warbeck's claims):
Perkin attempted to invade England on a few different occasions. In 1496, he even had James IV of Scotland at his side, but this failed and he was forced to flee. In 1497, he landed near Cornwall, hoping to rouse those who had just taken part in an uprising three months prior against Henry VII. Perkin vowed that he would put an end to the taxes that were aiding England's war with Scotland, and he was warmly declared Richard IV. From there, a Cornish army materialized and began to advance, but when Warbeck heard that Henry VII had sent troops to attack, he panicked and deserted his army. He was captured in Hampshire, surrendered, and imprisoned - first in Taunton, then at the Tower of London. Leaders of the Cornish army were executed, and Warbeck was forced to confess himself as an imposter.
Amazingly, after his confession he was released and given accommodation at Henry's court. All seemed well for Warbeck, although he was kept under guard - until he attempted to escape after eighteen months. After that, he was re-imprisoned in the Tower of London and was finally hanged at Tyburn on 23 November 1499.
So who was Perkin Warbeck really? I think it's safe to say that no one really knows. Described by some to resemble Edward IV in appearance, there are few academics to this day who seem under the impression that Warbeck really was Prince Richard of York. With that idea largely tossed aside, some still believe he may have been an illegitimate son of Edward's (or even possibly of Richard III or George, Duke of Clarence). Others point out Margaret of York's fascination with Warbeck, and therefore determine that he may have been her own illegitimate son. Or, should we assume that Perkin Warbeck was no more than a native of Belgium and a complete pretender to the throne, who was so successful that he still baffles historians to this day? In any case, Perkin's efforts were futile, but his life serves as an interesting story during the reign of Henry VII - a time when pretenders to the throne were not at all uncommon, and were an extreme threat to the new and fragile Tudor dynasty.