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Little is known about the early life
of Sir Richard Neville, Earl
of Warwick, also known of as the 'kingmaker'. Even the chroniclers who wrote of events during his lifetime are likely to have embellished their
accounts, according to their political perspective. These stories eventually found
their way into popular ballads and poetry, so many myths and legends developed
about him.
Richard Neville’s importance also meant others learned of
his exploits through newsletters and handbills, pinned on church doors, used as
source material by later chroniclers, who in turn will have been writing from a
particular point of view. Even accounts of his life by modern historians and
biographers fail to agree on key issues.
What is clear is that Richard Neville was one of the most
important men in fifteenth century England. He owned extensive lands in Wales,
including Cardiff Castle, and was responsible for many years for controlling
the border with Scotland. A key figure in what have become known as ‘The Wars
of the Roses,’ he fought in most of the important battles.
Writers from Shakespeare to Michael Hicks and Philippa Gregory
have tried to show what sort of man Richard Neville must have been, with quite
different results. Sometimes he is portrayed as the skilled political
manipulator behind the throne, shaping events for his own advantage. Others
describe him as the ‘last of the Barons’, ruling his fiefdom like an uncrowned
king. Whatever the truth, his story is one of adventure, power and influence at
the heart of one of the most dangerous times in the history of England.
It can be a challenge for the reader of historical fiction
to understand which events are based on fact and which are pure fiction. I have
tried through my extensive research to ensure that all the events, people and
places named in this novel are based on historical facts, verifiable from
several sources.
The only exceptions are the two people who play important
roles in Richard’s life, his loyal squire and his mistress. Richard Neville had
several squires throughout his life yet their names are lost. There are many
accounts of how he surrounded himself with men who would lay down their lives
to protect him, so Luke Tully represents them all. I thought I had discovered
the name of the mother of Richard’s illegitimate daughter Margaret, then found
it couldn’t be verified, so unlike the biographies where she vanishes into the
background, I have been able to suggest the part she may have played
in Richard’s early life.
In the course of the research for this book I enjoyed
learning about the lives of people in the fifteenth century and the chance discoveries
that bring it all to life. One such ‘find’ was the exploration of the life of
Richard’s daughter Margaret. I read that one of her ancestors was the anti-hero
of the mutiny on the Bounty, Fletcher
Christian. With a little digging I managed to find what may be the line of
descent:
Richard Nevill. By an unknown woman
he had issue:
Margaret Neville, She married Sir
John Huddleston of Teesdale and had issue:
Joan Huddleston married Antony
Fleming and had issue:
Antony Fleming of Rydel, d.1537. He
had issue:
William Fleming of Rydel, d.1598. He
had issue:
Eleanor Fleming married John Lowther
d.1637 and had issue:
Agnes Lowther married Roger Kirkby
and had issue:
William Kirkby of Aslack married unknown
and had issue:
Eleanor Kirky married Humphrey
Senhouse and had issue:
Bridget Senhouse, b.1696 in Deerham
and died 1744. She married John
Christian (b.1688) and had issue:
Charles Christian, b.1729 and
d.1768. He married Anne Dixon (b.1730) and had
issue:
Fletcher Christian, b.SEP 25 1764
and d.OCT 3 1793.
(I like to think that some of
Richard Neville’s character shines through in Fletcher Christian’s actions)
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