Isabel Neville, Duchess of Clarence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lady Isabel Neville |
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| Duchess of Clarence | |
Posthumous drawing of Isabel from the Rous Roll, c. 1483
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| Born | 5 September 1451 Warwick Castle, Warwickshire, England |
| Died | 22 December 1476 (aged 25) |
| Spouse | George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence (m. 1469) |
| Issue more... |
Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick |
| Father | Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick |
| Mother | Anne Beauchamp, 16th Countess of Warwick |
Lady Isabel Neville (born 5 September 1451 – died 22 December 1476) was an important lady in English history. She was the older daughter of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, who was known as the Kingmaker during the Wars of the Roses. Her mother was Anne de Beauchamp. Isabel became the wife of George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence, who was the younger brother of King Edward IV of England. She was also the older sister of Anne Neville, who married George's brother, Richard III.
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Isabel Neville's Early Life and Marriage
Isabel Neville was born at Warwick Castle on 5 September 1451. This castle was the main home of the Earls of Warwick. On 11 July 1469, Isabel secretly married George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence in Calais. George was King Edward IV's younger brother.
Her father, the "Kingmaker," arranged this marriage even though the King did not approve. Isabel's uncle, George Neville, archbishop of York, performed the wedding ceremony.
After the wedding, Isabel's husband, George, joined forces with her father. They allied with the House of Lancaster, who were led by Margaret of Anjou, the queen of Henry VI of England.
Isabel's sister, Anne Neville, later married Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales. He was the son and heir of King Henry VI. After this, George, Duke of Clarence, realized he was unlikely to become king himself. So, he rejoined his brother, King Edward IV.
King Edward sent letters to Clarence, promising to forgive him if he left Isabel's father and the Lancastrians. Clarence agreed to join the King as soon as he could.
Isabel's Children
Isabel Neville and George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence, had four children together. They were married in Calais, France, on 11 July 1469.
Their children were:
- An unnamed baby (born around 17 April 1470). This baby was born near Calais and sadly died at sea. Some say it was a girl named Anne, others say it was an unnamed boy.
- Margaret Pole, 8th Countess of Salisbury (born 14 August 1473 – died 27 May 1541). She married Sir Richard Pole. Margaret later lost her life under Henry VIII of England.
- Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick (born 25 February 1475 – died 28 November 1499). He was put to death by Henry VII of England after trying to escape from the Tower of London.
- Richard of Clarence (born 6 October 1476 – died 1 January 1477). He was born at Tewkesbury Abbey and died at Warwick Castle.
Isabel Neville's Death
Isabel Neville passed away on 22 December 1476. This was about two and a half months after her last child, Richard, was born. Today, historians believe she died from either consumption (a serious lung illness) or childbed fever. Childbed fever is an infection that can happen after giving birth.
At the time, her husband, George, accused one of her ladies-in-waiting of murdering her. He then had this lady, named Ankarette Twynyho, put to death.
Isabel in Books and TV Shows
Isabel Neville has appeared in several modern stories.
She is featured in two books by the author Philippa Gregory:
- The Kingmaker's Daughter
- The King's Curse
Isabel is also a character in Sharon Penman’s novel, The Sunne in Splendour.
In the television mini-series The White Queen (2013), she is played by actress Eleanor Tomlinson.
