Death of The Kingmaker, Richard Neville – Earl of Warwick
Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, was one of the wealthiest landowners outside the Royal Families in the 1450’s and 60’s.
His father was the Earl of Salisbury and one of his aunts, Cecily Neville, married Richard Duke of York.
This meant that Richard Neville, Edward IV and Richard III were first cousins.
Warwick without doubt, played an important part in mid-fifteenth century English politics.
He was called “The Kingmaker” as he was responsible for helping Edward IV onto the throne in 1461.
He attempted to replace King Edward with his brother George, and also reinstated Henry VI back on the throne.
Then his luck ran out…..
The Nevilles were initially loyal to Henry VI, but the weakness of the king, led to supporting the Duke of York’s claim to the throne.
Richard Neville fought with the Duke of York at the first Battle of St Albans.
The Duke of York and Warwick’s father were killed at Wakefield in 1460, and this created a strong bond between their sons.
They avenged their respective father’s deaths at the Battle of Towton in 1461, which secured Edward IV on the throne for the first time.
All was going well until Edward’s secret marriage with Elizabeth Woodville.
Warwick had plans to form an alliance with France, by marrying Edward to a French princess.
The Woodville family was large, and keen for advantageous marriages, and positions of authority.
Warwick decided the Woodvilles had too much influence on King Edward, and were stealing suitable marriages from his Neville relations.
Warwick persuaded Edward’s younger brother George, Duke of Clarence, to marry his eldest daughter Isabel.
He then planned to overthrow Edward by placing George and Isabel on the throne.
Warwick then supported a rebellion from the North, against Edward.
Edward was captured, but it proved impossible to rule without the king.
Continuing disorder forced Warwick to release King Edward IV in September 1469.
Warwick and Clarence started another failed rebellion, and the two of them escaped to France.
In France, Warwick formed an alliance with the exiled Margaret of Anjou.
The plan was to invade England, restore Henry VI to the throne and marry Margaret’s son, Edward of Lancaster to Warwick’s younger daughter, Anne.
Warwick would then have a daughter in both the Yorkist and the Lancastrian camp.
Warwick’s invasion was initially successful, forcing Edward and Richard of Gloucester into temporary exile, joining their sister, the Duchess of Burgundy.
Warwick’s restoration of Henry VI, lasted just a few months.
Edward gathered his forces and was back in England in March 1471.
On 14th April 1471, the two armies met at Barnet.
Fog and poor visibility on the field led to confusion, and the Lancastrian army ended up attacking its own men.
In the face of defeat, Warwick attempted to escape the field, but was struck off his horse and killed.
Warwick’s bloodied body was displayed in London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, to quell any rumours of his survival.
Warwick’s remains were handed over to Archbishop Neville, to be buried in the family vault at Bisham Priory near the river Thames in Berkshire.
No trace now remains of either the tomb, or the church in which it was housed.
🖤 Warwick was portrayed by James Frain in ‘The White Queen ‘ in 2013.
