The Woodville family are synonymous with the Wars of the Roses. While much has been published on the family as a whole, especially Elizabeth, wife of Edward IV, Anthony Woodville – the favourite sibling of Elizabeth – has been largely overlooked by history. He is famed for his arrest and execution in June 1483, but there is much more to learn from his life.
I always felt sorry for Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers, and suspected his only crime was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The subtitle to Danielle Burton's new book, Sophisticate or Schemer? also intrigued me, as I hoped to find out more about this enigmatic man.
The lack of reliable primary sources mean that (spoiler alert) after eight years of extensive research into his life, Danielle Burton has not been able uncover new evidence, but does ask plenty of thought-provoking questions.
Some we will never have the answers to, including why, after his wife Elizabeth died in 1473, Anthony married thirteen-year-old Mary FitzLewis who was twenty years younger than him. The most intriguing question is why Richard III needed him out out of the way so urgently, ordering his execution without bothering to hold a trial.
I was pleased to see the full transcript of Anthony Woodville's will at the end of the book, together with his poignant last poem. I particularly liked Danielle's engaging writing style, and feel I understand Anthony Woodville much better after reading her new book, which I am happy to recommend.
Tony Riches
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