Richard Neville, Earl of Salisbury, 1400-1460

Richard Neville was born in 1400, the eldest son of Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland and his second wife Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt. Sometime before 1420 Salisbury succeeded his eldest half–brother, John, as Warden of the West Marches of Scotland. Salisbury took part in the coronation of Henry V's wife, Catherine of France, in 1421, as Carver.

In January 1425 he was appointed Constable at Pontefract Castle and in October of the same year, his father, Westmorland, died, leaving Salisbury without land – his inheritance of land through marriage was considered sufficient. His wife was the 18–year–old only daughter of Thomas de Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury. On 3 May 1429 Neville's claim to the title Earl of Salisbury, in right of his wife, was approved by judges and provisionally confirmed by peers in a Great Council until Henry VI became of age. Henry VI confirmed His tenure for life was confirmed by Henry VI on 4 May 1442.

As Warden of the West Marches, he spent much of his time in the north, but he did attend Henry's coronation on 6 November 1429, acting as Constable for the absent Duke of Bedford (uncle to Henry VI and Regent in France).

Salisbury was also part of two embassies to Scotland in May 1429 and January 1430, the latter to offer Henry's hand in marriage to James' daughter, who was about to be married to the Dauphin of France (later Louis XI). The result of these visits was a 5–year truce.

Although Salisbury did not go to France with Henry in 1430 he did join him in 1431, probably returning together in February 1432. On 18 February 1433 Salisbury was made Master Forester of Blackburnshire, having already been created Warden of Forests North of the Trent. At the July 1433 Parliament Salisbury acted as trier petitioner and was given the title of Warden of the East Marches.

On the death of the Duke of Bedford, Salisbury's brother–in–law, Richard, Duke of York was appointed to France in his place and Salisbury accompanied him. On his return in November 1457 Salisbury was created a Privy Councillor.

Upon his mother's death in November 1440 Salisbury inherited his father's lands around Middleham and Sheriff Hutton. His half–brothers had tried to stop the split of the estates and bloodshed ensued, causing the government to intervene.

As Salisbury was connected to both York and Lancaster - to York through his brother–in–law and to the Lancastrians through his mother. He tried to stand aloof from the trouble between both factions. However the continuance of the Duke of Somerset in power, against an agreement Salisbury helped mediate, caused annoyance and he ignored orders not to get involved in the dispute between his sons and the Percies. Salisbury was accused of conniving with his sons and on the appointment of York as Protector during the madness of Henry VI, Salisbury came down on the side of York while the Percies supported Lancaster.

As Protector, York gave Salisbury the Great Seal of the Chancellor. Salisbury is said to have asked for the vacant See of Ely to be given to his youngest son, George. The Council refused but promised him the next vacant see. On the recovery of Henry VI, Salisbury lost the Great Seal and he retired to Middleham. Open warfare had broken out again between the Nevilles and Percies in 1457 when Lord Egremont (son of Earl of Northumberland) was captured and taken to Middleham. The reconciliation between the Nevilles and Percies of 1458 did not last and armed warfare again broke out the Summer of 1459.

Salisbury left Middleham with an army whose force was reckoned to be between 500 and 7,000 to join up with York. However, they were cut off from each other by the Lancastrian army in Nottingham and Market Drayton. York was at Ludlow. Fortunately, for Salisbury, Lord Stanley, remained inactive at Newcastle under Lyme. The Battle of Blore Heath on 22 August was a bloody affair resulting in many deaths and the capture of two of Salisbury's sons, John and Thomas. Salisbury managed to reach York at Ludlow, where he was excluded from the pardon offered to the Yorkists at Ludlow.

After their flight from Lufford on 12 October, Salisbury, Warwick and York's eldest son, Edward, Earl of March, fled to Calais via Devonshire and Guernsey. At the Parliament which met on 20 November 1459 Salisbury, his three sons and his wife plus various Yorkist leaders were all attainted.

On 26 June 1460 Salisbury landed at Sandwich and with Warwick and March entered London on 2 July. Warwick and March left Salisbury in charge while they went to meet Henry's forces at Northampton. Once Henry was in their hands the attainder was lifted and Salisbury was made Great Chamberlain of England.

York and Salisbury left London on 9 December 1460, arriving at Sandal Castle on 21 December. After spending Christmas at Sandal, they fought at the Battle of Wakefield, where York and his son Edmund were killed, along with Salisbury's second son Thomas. Salisbury was captured and taken to Pontefract, where he was beheaded, his head being exhibited with York's on the walls of York. He was finally buried at Bisham Abbey in 1463. He left Sheriff Hutton and three neighbouring manors to his wife for life but they were given to his nephew, John, Lord Neville for his support of the Lancastrian cause.

By Alice, his wife, he had 4 sons and 6 daughters. Sons: (1) Richard, Earl of Warwick; (2) Thomas married Maud, widow of Robert, 6th Lord Willoughby de Eresby; (3) John, Baron Montagu, Marquis of Montagu, killed at Barnet; (4) George, Bishop of Exeter, Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor. Daughters: (1) Joan married William Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel; (2) Cicely married (i) Henry Beauchamp, Duke of Warwick, (ii) John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester; (3) Alice married Henry, Lord Fitzhugh of Ravensworth Castle near Richmond; (4) Eleanor married Thomas Stanley, 1st Lord Stanley, later 1st Earl of Derby; (5) Catherine married William Lord Hastings; (6) Margaret married John de Vere III, 13th earl of Oxford.

source: www.richard111.com/house_of_york.htm