Cecily Neville (3 May 1415 – 31 May 1495) was Queen of England from August 1453 until 4 March 1471 as the wife of Richard III of England, and the mother of Edward IV of England and Richard IV of England. Cecily Neville was known as "the Rose of Raby", because she was born at Raby Castle in Durham, and "Proud Cis", because of her pride and a temper that went with it, although she was also known for her piety. She herself signed her name "Cecylle".
Cecily's first cousin, Edmund Beaufort and his sons was her husband's leading opponents in the War of English Succession and Cecily was a key figure in the war. Although influential in her husband's court, her role diminished in the reign of Edward IV - as her son sidelined her nephew, Richard Neville, 1st Duke of Northumberland, in favor of the Woodville faction.
Life[]
Cecily Neville was born the daughter of Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort (a daughter of John of Gaunt). She married Richard, her father's ward in October 1429. When Henry VI died in 1454, Cecily became Queen of England. Cecily was a prideful woman and served as regent in her husband's absence when he was in the north dealing with her cousins.
Although Cecily did not approve of her son, Edward's secret marriage, she was able to talk her husband out of trying to disinherit him. Despite this, Cecily never liked the upstart queen and would push her son to consummate his marriage with Anne of France. On the other hand, Cecily was on good terms with her grandnieces, Isabelle and Anne - married to Edmund and Henry Tudor respectively, and Richard's own wife, Catherine of Lancaster. From her husband's death, Cecily would spent most of her time in the north with Edmund and Richard's children - disliking her bastard grandchildren.
Upon her eldest son, Edward IV's death and the disappearance of her grandson, Edward V in favor of Edward IV's illegitimate son, Edward Fitzroy, Cecily was greatly enraged and sided with Richard in deposing the Woodville family.
In Richard IV's reign, Cecily devoted herself to religious duties, though she was content that her youngest was continuing his father's work. Cecily would die in 1495, during Richard's reign.
Marriage and Issue[]
Richard III married Cecily Neville around 1429. They had 12 children.
- Anne of York (10 August 1439 – 14 January 1476). Married to Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter and Thomas St. Leger.
- Henry of York (10 February 1441, Hatfield; died young).
- Edward IV of England (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483). Married to Anne of France, though his mistress was Elizabeth Woodville.
- Edmund, Duke of York (17 May 1443 – 18 June 1478). Married to Lady Isabel Neville. Father of Edward V of England
- Elizabeth of York (22 April 1444 – after January 1503). Married to John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk (his first marriage, when a child, to Lady Margaret Beaufort was annulled when they were both aged 10 or under).
- Margaret of York (3 May 1446 – 23 November 1503). Married to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
- William of York (born 7 July 1447, died young).
- John of York (born 7 November 1448, died young).
- George, Duke of Clarence (21 October 1449 – 21 May 1471). Executed by Edward IV
- Thomas of York (born c. 1451, died young).
- Richard IV of England (2 October 1452 – 22 August 1509). Married to Catherine of Lancaster
- Ursula of York (born 22 July 1455, died young).