Cecily Neville

Cecily Neville, Duchess of York (3 May 1415 – 31 May 1495) was the wife of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, and the mother of two Kings of England: Edward IV and Richard III. Cecily Neville was a daughter to Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland and Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland. Her maternal grandparents were John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Katherine Swynford. John of Gaunt was the third son of Edward III of England and ... more

Cecily Neville, Duchess of York (3 May 1415 – 31 May 1495) was the wife of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, and the mother of two Kings of England: Edward IV and Richard III. Cecily Neville was a daughter to Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland and Joan Beaufort, Countess of Westmorland. Her maternal grandparents were John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Katherine Swynford. John of Gaunt was the third son of Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault. Cecily was called "the Rose of Raby" (because she was born at Raby Castle in Durham, Kingdom of England) and "Proud Cis" because of her pride and a temper that went with it. Historically she is also known for her piety. She herself signed her name "Cecylle". At the age of ten in 1425, Cecily's father betrothed her to Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York the leader of the House of York in the Wars of the Roses, who was 14 at the time. Soon afterwards, Earl Neville} died in battle. The couple probably lived in the... less