Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland

Sir Ralph de Neville was born in Raby Castle, County Durham, England, and was created 1st Earl of Westmoreland in 1397.

Related Topics:
Raby Castle - County Durham - England - 1397

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A Knight of the Garter, and supporter of King Henry IV of England, he was the son of John de Neville and Maud Percy. His first wife (1382) was Margaret Stafford, daughter of Sir Hugh Stafford and Philippa de Beauchamp. On November 29, 1396, he married as his second wife Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (the son of Edward III) and Katherine de Roet (better known as Katherine Swynford).

Related Topics:
Knight of the Garter - Henry IV of England - 1382 - November 29 - 1396 - Joan Beaufort - John of Gaunt - Edward III - Katherine Swynford

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Ralph de Neville and Joan Beaufort had at least ten children, including:

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• Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury
• Cecily Neville (1415 - 1495) ("Proud Cis"), who married Richard, Duke of York (1411 - 1460), and produced Kings Edward IV of England and Richard III of England
• Anne Neville (?1411-1480), who married Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham, a descendant of Thomas of Woodstock.
• Lady Eleanor Neville (c. 1404 - 1472) who married Henry Percy, 2nd Earl of Northumberland.
• Lady Katherine Neville who married John Mowbray, 2nd Duke of Norfolk.

The character of Westmoreland in Shakespeare's play Henry V is based on de Neville. It has been claimed by Brenda James and Professor William Rubinstein that de Neville's great-great-grandson, Sir Henry Neville wrote the works of William Shakespeare

Related Topics:
Henry V - Brenda James - William Rubinstein - Sir Henry Neville - William Shakespeare

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