Anne Neville was born on 11 June 1456. A daughter of Richard Neville 16th Earl of Warwick and Anne Beauchamp, she was a notable heiress. Anne Neville married twice. Firstly, to Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales in the reign of King Henry VI. Secondly, to Richard Duke of Gloucester who later became King Richard III. By Richard she had one son, Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales. Anne died shortly after her son, on 16 March 1485.
A valuable heiress
Anne Neville was the younger of two daughters of the Earl and Countess of Warwick. With no brothers, this made her co-heiress to the vast Neville-Beauchamp estates. As such, Anne was seen as a valuable asset by both her father and senior members of Court.
First Marriage, to Edward of Westminster
When her father went into exile in 1470, he entered into negotiations with his former foes within the Lancastrian Court. Anne Neville was used in these negotiations. The Angers Agreement was accompanied by a dynastic marriage between Anne and Prince Edward of Westminster. This bound the Neville family to the Lancastrian royal family. If Henry VI could be restored, and his son inherit the Crown, it would make Anne Queen Consort.
Widowed
Edward of Westminster was amongst the Lancastrian forces who sailed to England in April 1471. They landed in support of the Readeption.
Edward IV, however, had already landed in England. He had defeated an army of Anne Neville’s father, the Earl of Warwick, at Barnet.
The Yorkists learnt of the new Lancastrian threat. At Tewkesbury on 4 May 1471, the two armies fought. In a victory for the Yorkists, Prince Edward of Westminster was killed. Anne Neville was widowed. The Prince was buried in Tewkesbury Abbey.
Anne Neville following the Yorkist victories
Anne had been wife of the late Lancastrian Prince of Wales, and daughter of the Earl of Warwick. These were the heir to the throne, and the man who had plotted to put him, via inheritance, on that throne. As such, she could lose everything. Both her husband and father could be posthumously attainted.
For various political reasons, neither were subjected to attainder. One reason was the Neville-Beauchamp Inheritance. As Anne’s sister was married to King Edward IV’s brother, George Duke of Clarence, an attainder would potentially harm his interests.
As well as the interests of the Duke of Clarence, King Edward IV needed to consider the interests of his youngest brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester. Soon after the restoration of the Yorkists, the Duke of Gloucester made it clear that he wished to marry Anne Neville.
Anne Neville and Richard Duke of Gloucester
It is thought that a union between Anne Neville and the Duke of Gloucester had first been mooted in the first reign of King Edward IV. The Earl of Warwick was eager to secure good marriages for his daughters. Marriages of Anne and Isabel to Richard and George would provide for their futures and ensure that the Earl’s daughters retained high status. This was prior to the birth of any male heir to the King, so also held the possibility of one of the daughters becoming Queen at some point.
The revolt of the Earl of Warwick and Duke of Clarence [who had married Isabel in 1469] changed that. Anne had married into the Lancastrian royal family, for much the same reasons as a match with Richard had earlier been mooted.
The Duke of Gloucester was alert to the value of Anne Neville. Even in the aftermath of her father and husbands deaths, she was a valuable bride. Richard managed to persuade his brother to grant royal approval to a marriage. Papal dispensation was sought and granted. Anne and Richard then married.
Anne’s Inheritance and conflict with the Duke of Clarence
The Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester both made claims on lands previously held by the Earl of Warwick. Some of these were Richard Neville’s own. Others had been held by right of his wife, or mother.
The Duke’s claims were based on several things. Both were due rewards for their role in the restoration of their brother. Lands from the magnates who had opposed the Yorkists were expected to be granted to them. Anne and Isabel were co-heiresses to some, not all, of the lands that the Earl of Warwick had held. This gave the Duke’s a claim based on inheritance to the Neville portion of these estates.
The brothers were in dispute over the land until 1475, when Edward finalised the distribution of estates via parliament. Anne Neville and Richard Duke of Gloucester were assigned Neville lands, with the Duke of Clarence receiving Beauchamp estates. The manner in which Richard acquired these lands is explored in more depth in this post.
Birth of Edward of Middleham
Edward of Middleham is the only known child of Anne Neville and Richard Duke of Gloucester. Whilst it is known that he was born at Middleham Castle, it is unclear as to when he was born. Various dates have been suggested but records are lacking and non specific, so it is only known for certain that he was born sometime in the period 1473-76.
Married Life
Anne Neville and Richard spent most of their time, prior to Richard’s accession, in the north of England. This was centred around the Neville Castle at Middleham, with other homes of note including Sheriff Hutton. This built on Anne’s family ties with the region and saw her make links with regional establishments such as Durham Cathedral.
Anne Neville Queen of England
In 1483 Anne became Queen Consort of England. This followed the dramatic events that followed the death of Edward IV. In June 1483, her husband took the throne in place of Edward V due to the marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville being declared null and void.
A joint coronation ceremony saw Anne and Richard crowned on 6 July 1483. Other events of state took place, including the investiture at York Minster of Edward of Middleham as Prince of Wales on 8 September 1483.
Anne and Richard’s son died on 9 April 1484. The Queen herself was not of good health. She died on 16 March 1485. Anne Neville Queen of England was buried in Westminster Abbey. There is no tomb visible for her and her burial within the Abbey is marked simply by a later plaque.
Books about Anne Neville
Links: Anne Neville
National Portrait Gallery – 5 portraits held by the national gallery.
SchoolsHistory – brief biography with a selection of links.
Westminster Abbey – explores Anne’s links to the Abbey.
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