Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick
A 15th-century magnate whose political maneuvers and military might literally decided who wore the English crown, earning him the name 'Kingmaker'.
1428–1471 (age 43)·English peer in the Wars of the Roses·Birthday: November 22
Biography
Richard Neville, the 16th Earl of Warwick, was the ultimate power broker in a kingdom tearing itself apart. Born into immense wealth through the Neville family, his fortune and influence were cemented by a strategic marriage that brought him the Warwick title. During the chaotic Wars of the Roses, he initially backed the Yorkist faction, using his resources and naval prowess to put Edward IV on the throne. His story, however, is one of spectacular reversal. Feeling sidelined by the new king, Warwick performed a breathtaking political U-turn, allied with his former Lancastrian enemies, and forced Edward into exile, briefly restoring Henry VI in a move that stunned the nation. His death at the Battle of Barnet in 1471 marked the end of an era where a nobleman's ambition could outweigh royal authority, cementing his legacy as the formidable and treacherous architect of kings.
#1 When Richard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1428
Richard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1428Born
1433Started school
1441Became a teenager
1444Could drive
1446Could vote
1449Turned 21
1458Turned 30
1468Turned 40
1471Died at 43
Key Achievements
- Was the principal military and financial force behind Edward IV's victory at the Battle of Towton in 1461, securing the Yorkist claim to the throne.
- Orchestrated the Readeption of Henry VI in 1470, temporarily restoring the Lancastrian king to power after forcing Edward IV to flee.
- Commanded a significant private fleet and conducted acts of piracy in the Channel, demonstrating power independent of the crown.
- Arranged the marriage of his daughter, Anne Neville, to Edward IV's brother, a union that would later produce a queen of England.
Did You Know?
He was the wealthiest nobleman in England during his lifetime, with lands and income surpassing many royal holdings.
His daughter, Isabel Neville, was the mother of Margaret Pole, the last Plantagenet princess, who was executed by Henry VIII.
The title 'Kingmaker' was applied to him posthumously; it was not used during his life.
“The kingmaker holds the crown, and I have placed two kings upon the throne.”
