Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anthony Woodville
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| 2nd Earl Rivers | |
Anthony Woodville (kneeling, second from left, wearing a tabard displaying his armorials) and William Caxton (dressed in black) presenting the first printed book in English (Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers) to King Edward IV and Woodville's sister Queen Elizabeth. Lambeth Palace Library, London.
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| Earl Rivers | |
| Tenure | 1469–1483 |
| Predecessor | Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers |
| Successor | Richard Woodville, 3rd Earl Rivers |
| Born | c. 1440 Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire, Kingdom of England |
| Died | 25 June 1483 Pontefract Castle |
| Spouse | Elizabeth de Scales, Baroness Scales Mary Fitz-Lewis |
| Issue | Margaret Woodville (Illegitimate) |
| Father | Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers |
| Mother | Jacquetta of Luxembourg |
Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers (born around 1440, died June 25, 1483) was an important English nobleman. He was a skilled courtier, a lover of books, and a writer. Anthony was the brother of Queen Elizabeth Woodville, who married King Edward IV.
His family, the Woodvilles, became very powerful during King Edward IV's rule. After King Edward died, Anthony was arrested and executed by the Duke of Gloucester. This duke later became King Richard III. Anthony's English translation of The Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers was one of the very first books ever printed in England.
Contents
Anthony Woodville's Family Background
Anthony Woodville was the oldest son of Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers, and his wife Jacquetta of Luxembourg. His sister, Elizabeth Woodville, became Queen of England when she married King Edward IV.
Anthony Woodville's Early Career
Like his father, Anthony first supported the House of Lancaster in the Wars of the Roses. He fought for them at the Battle of Towton. However, he later switched his support to the House of York.
The Woodville family gained a lot of influence at the royal court. This happened after Anthony's sister, Elizabeth, married King Edward IV. Anthony was made a Knight of the Garter, which was a very high honor. He was also known as a great champion in tournaments. He once had a famous two-day "duel" with Antoine, bastard of Burgundy.
In 1469, King Edward IV's supporters lost the Battle of Edgcote. Anthony's father, Richard Woodville, and his brother, John Woodville, were captured. They were later executed. After their deaths, Anthony became the new Earl Rivers.
Anthony Woodville as Earl Rivers
In 1470, when King Edward IV had to leave England for a short time, Anthony joined him in exile. They returned together the next year. Anthony was wounded at the Battle of Barnet, which helped Edward IV regain his throne.
While in charge of the Tower of London, Anthony successfully defended it. He stopped a Lancastrian army from capturing the city during the Siege of London (1471).
In 1472, King Edward IV sent Anthony and his younger brother, Edward Woodville, to Brittany. They led 1,000 archers to help the local people stop a French invasion. The French army left when they saw how determined the Bretons were.
In 1473, King Edward IV gave Anthony a very important job. He was made the Governor of the household of the Prince of Wales. This meant Anthony was in charge of the young prince's education and care. He went with the prince to Ludlow Castle. Anthony was also appointed High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire for life. This role involved managing justice in the principality.
Anthony Woodville's Death
In 1483, King Edward IV died suddenly. Anthony's sister, the Queen, asked him to bring the Prince of Wales, now King Edward V, to London. They were traveling with an armed guard.
However, they were stopped by Richard, Duke of Gloucester. This duke later became King Richard III. The Duke of Gloucester arrested Anthony and his nephew, Sir Richard Grey. Anthony was put in prison and then executed at Pontefract Castle on June 25, 1483. This was part of the Duke of Gloucester's plan to become king.
Anthony was succeeded as Earl Rivers by his brother, Richard Woodville, 3rd Earl Rivers.
Anthony Woodville's Marriages
Anthony Woodville married twice. He did not have any children who could inherit his title.
- His first wife was Elizabeth de Scales. She was already a Baroness in her own right.
- His second wife was Mary FitzLewis.
King Edward IV was also secretly planning for Anthony to marry Margaret of Scotland. However, both King Edward and Anthony died in 1483, so these plans never happened.
Anthony Woodville's Love for Books
Anthony Woodville met William Caxton, the first English printer, while he was living in exile in Bruges. In 1475-76, Caxton published Cordyale, or Four last thinges. This was Anthony's English translation of a French book.
After both men returned to England, one of the first books printed in England was Anthony's translation of Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers. Caxton printed this book in Westminster in 1477. A famous picture shows Anthony presenting a copy of this book to King Edward IV.
Images for kids
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Shield from the Poyntz Chapel in Bristol, showing the arms of Poyntz and Woodville.
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Remnants of a chest-tomb in the Gaunt's Chapel, Bristol, showing heraldry of Poyntz and Woodville.
See also
In Spanish: Antonio Woodville para niños
