Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick
Wealthiest English peer; instrumental in deposing two kings.
Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, 6th Earl of Salisbury (22 November 1428 – 14 April 1471), known as Warwick the Kingmaker, was an English nobleman, administrator, landowner of the House of Neville fortune and military commander. He became the wealthiest and most powerful English peer of his age, with political connections beyond England's borders, and was a principal leader in the Wars of the Roses, instrumental in the rise of one king and the deposition of two.
- born
- 22 November 1428
- died
- 14 April 1471
- field
- Nobleman, military commander
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- Warwick the Kingmaker; key figure in the Wars of the Roses; instrumental in the rise and deposition of kings
Lore & Background
Richard Neville was the eldest son of Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury, and became Earl of Warwick through marriage to Lady Anne Beauchamp. Through fortunes of marriage and inheritance, he emerged in the 1450s at the centre of English politics. Originally a supporter of King Henry VI, a territorial dispute with Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset, led him to collaborate with his uncle, Richard, Duke of York. From this conflict he gained the strategically valuable post of Captain of Calais, which provided a vital power base. He later assisted York's son, Edward, to be crowned King Edward IV, but fell out with Edward over foreign policy and the king's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville. After a failed plot to crown Edward's brother George, Warwick restored Henry VI to the throne, but was defeated and killed by Edward at the Battle of Barnet on 14 April 1471.
Reader's Guide
Warwick's historical legacy has been a matter of much dispute. Historical opinion has alternated between seeing him as self-centred and rash, regarding him as a victim of the whims of an ungrateful king. It is generally agreed that he enjoyed great popularity in all layers of society, and that he was skilled at appealing to popular sentiments for political support. His career illustrates the volatile nature of noble power during the Wars of the Roses, where personal disputes and shifting alliances could determine the fate of the crown. His epithet 'Kingmaker' reflects his unique role in both elevating and deposing monarchs, though his ultimate defeat at Barnet ended his influence.
Did You Know?
- Warwick became Earl of Warwick through his marriage to Lady Anne Beauchamp, daughter of Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick.
- He was appointed Constable of Calais, a post that provided him with England's largest standing army.
- He conducted highly successful acts of piracy against the Castilian fleet in May 1458 and the Hanseatic fleet a few weeks later.
- His illegitimate daughter Margaret married Richard Huddleston on 12 June 1464.
More in Rulers & Leaders
Elsewhere in the Historical Figures universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record