Anne Neville (June 11, 1456 – March 16, 1485) is an English nobleman, daughter of Richard Neville (known as “kingmaker”). She became Princess of Wales by marrying Edward of Westminster, then Queen of England as wife and consort of King Richard III.
As a member of the powerful Neville family, she took part in the battle between the house of York and the house of Lancaster for the conquest of the throne of England despite herself during the War of the Roses.
His father Warwick engaged him as a child to Richard, the youngest brother of King Edward IV, then, later, arranged his marriage to Edward, the son of King Henry VI. His sister Isabel Neville, for his part, married George, Duke of Clarence, brother of Edward IV.
After the deaths of Edward of Westminster and Warwick, she married Richard. She becomes queen when Richard recovers the crown, June 1483, but dies in March 1485, five months before Richard was killed at the Battle of Bosworth. Her only son with Richard is Edward of Middleham (1473-1484), died before her.
Quick Facts: Anne Neville
- Known for: wife of Edward, Prince of Wales, son of Henry VI; Wife of Richard von Gloucester; when Richard became King Richard III, Anne became Queen of England
- Born: June 11th, 1456 at Warwick Castle in London, England
- Parents: Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, and his wife Anne Beauchamp
- Died: March 16, 1485, in London, England
- Spouse (s): Edward of Westminster, the son of Henry VI (m 1470-1471.); Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III, brother of Edward IV (m. 1472-1485)
- Children: Edward, Prince of Wales (c. 1473-1484)
Anne Neville Biography
Anne Neville was born June 11, 1456, at Warwick Castle in London, England, and probably lived there and in other castles kept by her family while she was a child. She did attend various formal celebrations, including the feast in 1468 to celebrate Margaret of York’s wedding.
Anne’s father Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, became the kingmaker for his shift and influential role in the aforementioned War of the Roses. He was a nephew of the Duke of York’s wife, Cecily Neville, mother of Edward IV and Richard III.
He came into considerable possession and wealth when he married Anne Beauchamp. They had no sons, only two daughters, of whom Anne Neville was the younger, and Isabel (1451-1476) the older. These daughters would inherit a fortune, and thus their marriages were particularly important in the royal marriage game.
Anne Neville as goods for alliances
In 1460, Anne’s father and uncle, Edward, Duke of York, and Earl of March, defeated Henry VI in Northampton. In 1461 Edward King of England was proclaimed Edward IV. Edward married Elizabeth Woodville in 1464, surprisingly Warwick, who had plans for a more advantageous marriage for him.
By 1469, Warwick had turned against Edward IV and the Yorkists and joined the Lancastrian cause to encourage the return of Henry VI. Henry’s Queen Margaret of Anjou controls the Lancastrian effort from France.
Warwick married his older daughter, Isabel, George, Duke of Clarence, a brother of Edward IV, while the parties were in Calais, France. Clarence moved from the York to the Lancaster party.
Princess of Wales
Her father engaged her at the age of 14 with Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales, the only son of King Henry VI of England. Ana’s father, dissatisfied with King Edward IV’s ingratitude, decided to change sides and support the Lancaster, allying himself with Queen Margaret of Anjou.
Despite this, the queen had reservations about Neville’s loyalty – due in part to the marriage of Warwick’s eldest daughter Elizabeth to Duke George of Clarence, brother of Edward IV, celebrated on July 11, 1469, in Calais-. It is not certain that between Anna and Edward a formal marriage ceremony came to pass — and if there was, it was never consummated.