FREE THE NEVILLS OF MIDDLEHAM: ENGLANDS MOST POWERFUL FAMILY IN THE WARS OF THE ROSES PDF K. L. Clark | 416 pages | 01 Dec 2016 | The History Press Ltd | 9780750963657 | English | Stroud, United Kingdom Middleham Castle | Yorkshire | Castles, Forts and Battles Magazine article History Today. Anthony Pollard explains how the rivalry of two great Northern families contributed to civil war in fifteenth- century England. Of all the feuds that beset England in the mid-fifteenth century that between the Percy and Neville families in northern England is the most infamous. A contemporary identified it as the beginning of the greatest sorrows in England' and many historians since have perceived it as the critical element in converting factionalism at court into civil war in the kingdom at large. And indeed a direct The Nevills of Middleham: Englands Most Powerful Family in the Wars of the Roses between events in Yorkshire in andthe first battle of St Albans inand the battles of can be demonstrated. The Wars of the Roses, as they unfolded, were both a contest between the houses of Lancaster and York and a feud between the families of Percy and Neville. But in several respects the character and scale of the feud in the north has been misinterpreted and its real political significance misunderstood. It has been widely assumed that the Percies were the more important of the two families in the fifteenth century, strutting the northern shires like kings'. The ultimate source of the misconception, that the north knew no prince but a Percy, lies in Lord Hunsden's much misquoted remark to William Cecil, made in the immediate aftermath of the Rising of the Northern Earls inthat at that particular moment of rebellion, Northumberland knows no prince but a Percy'. Other testimonies to Percy importance, such as the remarks made by Thomas Peeris in the early sixteenth century, or by John Hardyng incan be shown to be the flattery or special pleading of loyal servants. The actual situation of the Percy family for all but a few years of the fifteenth century was anything but regal. The only Percy to have ruled the north like a prince was the first earl who died in disgrace in By artful and single-minded political manoeuvring he made himself the principal power in the north in the reign of Richard II and then, by his timely support for Henry IV inits master. For a brief while his family, including his brother Thomas, Earl of Worcester and son, Hotspur, were indispensable. But the Percies overreached themselves and rebellion in and led to disaster. Condemned for treason inand his estates forfeited, the earl fled to Scotland. His grandson and heir was restored by Henry V inbut was never able to recover all the family estates or to secure the power and authority enjoyed by the first earl. Indeed, only once more in the The Nevills of Middleham: Englands Most Powerful Family in the Wars of the Roses century was an earl of Northumberland able to hold sway in the north; in the exceptional circumstances of the eighteen months of civil war between October and March But the defeat and death of the third earl at Towton led to attainder and forfeiture for a second time in the century and the fourth earl, though restored by Edward IV inwas kept on tight rein by successive kings until his murder during a tax riot in The earls of Northumberland in the sixteenth century looked back wistfully to an imagined age when they ruled the north, but in reality they had only ruled it in the later part of the lifetime of the first earl at the beginning of the fifteenth century. It was not the power of the The Nevills of Middleham: Englands Most Powerful Family in the Wars of the Roses, but its survival in the male line despite all that had happened to it that was remarkable. The true princes of the north in the fifteenth century were not the Percies but the Nevilles, or to be more precise, the Nevilles of Middleham. The founder of the family's fortunes was Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland, who died in Unlike the first earl of Northumberland, he was the retainer of the house of Lancaster, but, more importantly his second countess was Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt and half-sister of Henry IV. Unswervingly loyal to the first three Lancastrians, Neville was instrumental in holding the north secure for Henry [V during the Percy rebellions and was the principal beneficiary of their fall. An unknown error has occurred. Please click the button below to reload the page. If the problem persists, please try again in a little while. Read preview. Read preview Overview. Common types of primary sources include works of literature, historical documents, original philosophical writings, and religious texts. Read Overview. Warwick, the Kingmaker By Charles W. Oman MacMillan, Anyone for Silkworms? We use cookies to deliver a better user experience and to show you ads based on your interests. By using our The Nevills of Middleham: Englands Most Powerful Family in the Wars of the Roses, you agree to the use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy. Views of Middleham | Richard III Society - American Branch Richard Neville was a crucial player in the Wars of the Roses, putting two kings on the throne. He also fought for both sides. Click Here to listen to the weekly podcast. He then worked to depose Edward IV and put the Lancasters back on the throne, all the while making strategic marriages for his two daughters… one to a York and one to a Lancaster, briefly pitting sister against sister. A wily politician, Richard knew how to play both sides at the same time. Richard had the Neville name going for him from the start, and it was an ancient, noble, and well respected one in England at the time. He also had the advantage of the vast Beauchamp fortune through his marriage to Anne Beauchamp. Richard Neville was in a perfect position to be a leading political player in England from the start. Richard was the son of another Richard Neville and Alice Montacute. Richard Neville was born to Richard Neville Sr. He was betrothed to Anne Beauchamp at age six. He also inherited the estates that went along with that title, which were substantial. He served Henry VI in a military capacity in several campaigns, and even fought for his side during the beginning battles of the Wars of the Roses, even though his family was tied by blood to the rival Yorks. Margaret wanted Richard on her side. While in Calais, Richard became a successful and respected military leader, and also engaged in lucrative though unauthorized acts of piracy against foreign ships in the English Channel. When he returned to England three years later, he had excellent international connections, having cultivated careful relations with the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy. He also had a large army that he brought with him and met up with his father and Richard, Duke of York in the summer of The Duke went to Ireland, taking his second eldest son, Edmund Plantagenet, with him. Though Margaret of Anjou appointed the Duke of Somerset the new Constable of Calais, Richard, his father, and their cousin Edward who at that time was Earl of March managed to hold onto the town and keep the new constable from taking his post. Confusing battles followed, with Richard playing a crucial role in most of them. He visited the Duke of York in Ireland to make more plans, then returned to Calais to gather his forces once more. But, as this was not an ideal solution, more conflict occurred. The next battle was disastrous for the York cause. It happened in December and was known as the Battle of Wakefield. The people there were horrified at how many people the Lancastrians slaughtered at the Battle of Wakefield, and, in March ofEdward Plantagenet was crowned King Edward IV, deposing Henry VI, and sending his queen and son into exile in Scotland, and later, France. Richard was richly rewarded for his help in putting his cousin on the throne. He had the second highest income in England, second only to his cousin, the King. Richard was an intensely loyal Yorkist and was given much in the way of rewards and power by his cousin the King as a result. Alas, the good relations between the cousins were not to last. However, when Richard finally had the marriage negotiations settled, Edward revealed he was already secretly married to Elizabeth Woodville, a young widow from a slightly noble English family. It was a love match, but it angered Richard. He negotiated with both the Burgundians and the French but favored the French. After all, Richard had done for Edward, he was being edged out in favor of the Woodvilles, and this he could not forgive. The marriage took place, and Richard managed to raise up enough of an army to capture Edward and hold him prisoner at Middleham Castle, his principal place of residence. Richard tried to govern England himself, but it proved too hard to do without the king. While in Calais, Richard had trouble raising an army who would support George as king, and soon had to abandon the idea. He sent George and Isabel back to England, where George reconciled with his brother. Meanwhile, Richard met with the exiled queen Margaret of The Nevills of Middleham: Englands Most Powerful Family in the Wars of the Roses, and proposed to put Henry The Nevills of Middleham: Englands Most Powerful Family in the Wars of the Roses back on the throne, and re-establish their son as heir.