Humphrey Neville of Brancepeth facts for kids

Sir Humphrey Neville (born around 1439 – died 29 September 1469) was an English knight. He was an important figure during the Wars of the Roses, a long conflict in England. Humphrey came from a powerful family called the House of Neville. His family supported the House of Lancaster in the war. Meanwhile, his richer cousins, like the famous Earl of Warwick, supported the rival House of York. Humphrey was a key leader for the Lancastrians in the early years of King Edward IV's rule. He was executed in 1469.

Humphrey Neville's Family Background

Humphrey Neville was born in 1439 at Slingsby Manor in Yorkshire. He was the oldest son of Sir Thomas Neville of Brancepeth. His mother was Elizabeth Beaumont. Humphrey also had a younger brother named Charles.

The Neville Family Dispute

Humphrey's grandfather, Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland, was a very powerful noble. He had many children. When he remarried, he decided to give most of his family's lands and wealth to the children from his second marriage. This meant that his oldest son, John (Humphrey's grandfather), and his descendants (including Humphrey) received much less.

This decision caused a big disagreement within the Neville family. Humphrey's branch of the family felt they had been treated unfairly. This family dispute became mixed up with the larger Wars of the Roses. Humphrey's cousins, like the Earl of Salisbury and his son the Earl of Warwick, supported the Yorkist side. But Humphrey's family, the older branch, supported the Lancastrians.

Humphrey's father, Thomas, died early in the war. His uncle, Lord Neville, was killed in a major battle called the Battle of Towton in 1461. This left Humphrey to continue his family's fight.

Humphrey Neville's Role in the Wars of the Roses

Humphrey Neville strongly supported the Lancastrian king, Henry VI. After the Battle of Towton in 1461, where the Lancastrians lost, Humphrey fled to Scotland.

Early Rebellions and Capture

In June 1461, Humphrey returned to England from Scotland. He and other Lancastrian supporters went to Durham and Brancepeth. He was described as an 'esquire of Brancepeth'. Soon after, he was captured and declared a traitor by the new Yorkist government.

Humphrey was held in the Tower of London for a while. But he managed to escape! He went back to Northumberland and started gathering people to fight against King Edward IV. However, he later asked for the king's forgiveness. King Edward IV, respecting Humphrey's noble birth, pardoned him and even made him a knight.

Continued Resistance and Final Capture

Despite being pardoned, Sir Humphrey Neville was still loyal to the Lancastrian cause. In April 1464, he was again fighting with the Lancastrians at Bamburgh Castle. He tried to ambush his distant cousin, John Neville, Lord Montagu, but Montagu was warned and escaped.

Humphrey likely fought in the Battle of Hexham. After that battle, he fled south and hid in a cave. He lived there for about five years, acting like a rebel.

In the summer of 1469, King Edward IV was captured by the Earl of Warwick. The Lancastrians, including Humphrey, had helped in this move against Edward. However, they were not happy with how Warwick was using his victory. Sir Humphrey Neville once again started a rebellion.

Warwick had to release King Edward IV before he could gather enough forces to fight Neville. But once he did, the rebellion was quickly put down. Humphrey and his brother Charles were captured. They were taken to York and executed there on 29 September 1469, with King Edward IV present.

Humphrey Neville's Descendants

Humphrey Neville had a son named Arthur Neville. Arthur lived until about 1502. Arthur had two sons: Ralph Neville and Lancelot Neville. The Neville family line through Humphrey eventually ended in 1615 with Ralph Neville's granddaughter, Anne.