John Woodville facts for kids
Sir John Woodville (born around 1445 – died August 12, 1469) was an important person during the Wars of the Roses in England. He was the third son of Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers and Jacquetta of Luxembourg. His family became very powerful when his sister, Elizabeth Woodville, married King Edward IV of England.
A Surprising Marriage
In January 1465, John Woodville's sister, Queen Elizabeth, arranged a marriage for him. He married Katherine Neville, Duchess of Norfolk, who was about 65 years old. John was only 19 at the time. Katherine Neville was also the aunt of a very powerful noble, Richard Neville, known as the Earl of Warwick.
Many people, especially Warwick, saw this marriage as a way for the Woodville family to gain more money and power. It caused a lot of talk and made Warwick dislike the Woodvilles even more. In the same year, King Edward IV made John Woodville a Knight of the Bath.
Warwick's Rebellion
In 1469, John Woodville and his father joined King Edward IV on a trip north. They were going to stop a rebellion that seemed small at first. This rebellion supported the king's brother, the Duke of Clarence, who wanted to be king.
Before the king's group met the rebels, both Clarence and Warwick announced they were supporting the rebellion. By the time the king faced the rebels, their army was much stronger than his. During a talk, the rebels told the king they had no fight with him. However, they advised him to send the Woodville family away. The king was not in a strong position to argue, so he sent John Woodville and his father away.
Capture and Execution
John Woodville and his father, Earl Rivers, first went to their family home at Grafton. From there, they headed west towards Wales. However, Warwick's soldiers captured them on the western side of the Severn. They were then taken to Coventry.
Before Warwick left Calais to join the uprising, he had publicly stated his reasons for supporting Clarence against the king. He blamed the Woodville family, especially Earl Rivers and John Woodville, for his actions. Because of this public statement, Warwick felt justified in executing Rivers and his son. They were executed on August 12 at Kenilworth. John Woodville died without having any children.
