Dynasticism Within the Neville Family During the Fifteenth Century
Abstract:
Throughout the tumultuous events of the fifteenth century, namely the Wars of the Roses, the Neville family proved themselves to be capable players in the game of power. They managed to ally themselves with the most powerful people in the nation, particularly through the institution of marriage. Here, the dynamics of marriage will be examined in the context of civil war and an opportunistic family: Were the Nevilles singularly loyal to their own cause? By delving into what exactly the Nevilles considered to be family and the importance of the virtue of loyalty, one can begin to answer this question. The plotting of senior Nevilles to powerful families appears to go beyond the expected traditions of an advantageous marriage. Throughout the chaos of the Wars, I will argue that at the end of the day, ‘Once a Neville, always a Neville’ prevailed. In displaying this, I will use Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland as a touchstone of the original Neville dynast which broadening my scope to include the marriages of his children and grandchildren and their direct impact on the Wars, and how throughout these marriages the Nevilles remained loyal to their own cause and preservation.