Lady Cecily Neville 1 2 3
- Born: 3 May 1415, Raby Castle, Durham, England
- Marriage: Richard of York Plantagenet before 18 Oct 1424
- Died: 31 May 1495, Berkhamsted Castle, Hertfordshire, England aged 80
- Buried: Collegiate Church of Fotheringhay, Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, England
Another name for Cecily was Cicely Neville.
General Notes:
Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, was called "the Rose of Raby" (because she was born at Raby Castle in Durham, England) and "Proud Cis" (because of her pride and a temper that went with it). She was daughter to Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland and Joan Beaufort. Her mother was a grand-daughter of Edward III of England. In 1437, Cecily married Richard, Duke of York, the leader of the House of York in the Wars of the Roses, and two of their sons became kings: Edward IV of England and Richard III of England. She was known for her piety as well as her pride.
Recently, it has been said that her son Edward was really illegitimate and his father was most likely an archer by the name of Blaybourne. This rumor surfaced during Edward's reign and is usually attributed to his brother, George, Duke of Clarence, who was attempting to take the throne for himself. There are no credible sources for Edward's illegitimacy, and his closeness to and support from his father Richard, Duke of York tends also to discredit the story.
Cecily married Richard of York Plantagenet, son of Richard of Conisburgh Plantagenet and Lady Anne de Mortimer, before 18 Oct 1424. (Richard of York Plantagenet was born on 21 Sep 1411 and died on 30 Dec 1460.) The cause of his death was slain in battle.
Marriage Notes:
Their children include:
- Joan of York (1438).
- Anne of York (August 10, 1439 - January 14, 1476), consort to Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter.
- Henry of York (b. February 10, 1441).
- Edward IV of England (April 28, 1442 - April 9, 1483).
- Edmund, Earl of Rutland (May 17, 1443 - December 31, 1460).
- Elizabeth of York (April 22, 1444 - after January, 1503), consort to John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk.
- Margaret of Burgundy (May 3, 1446 - November 23, 1503).
- William of York (b. July 7, 1447).
- John of York (b. November 7, 1448).
- George, Duke of Clarence (October 21, 1449 - February 18, 1478).
- Thomas of York (born c. 1451).
- Richard III of England (October 2, 1452 - August 22, 1485).
- Ursula of York (born c. 1454). 3
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