List of peers 1460–1469 facts for kids

During the years 1460 to 1469, England, Scotland, and Ireland were busy places, especially for the powerful families known as the nobility. These years were part of a time called the Wars of the Roses in England, which was a big fight between two royal families, the Lancasters and the Yorks. Because of these wars, many changes happened to the noble titles, or "peerages," in all three countries. Some people gained new titles, others lost theirs, and some titles even disappeared completely.

Peerage of England: Titles and Changes (1460-1469)

In England, a "peerage" meant a special title of nobility given by the King or Queen. These titles included Dukes, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons, with Dukes being the highest. Holding a peerage meant you were a very important person in the kingdom, often with land and power.

Dukes of England: High-Ranking Nobles

During this period, several important changes happened among the Dukes.

• The Duke of Cornwall title was held by Edward of Westminster, who was the son of King Henry VI.
• The Duke of York title saw a big change. Richard of York died in 1460. His son, Edward Plantagenet, became the 4th Duke. But soon after, in 1461, Edward became King Edward IV, so his Duke title joined with the Crown.
• The Duke of Norfolk title passed from John de Mowbray to his son, John de Mowbray, 4th Duke of Norfolk, in 1461.
• Henry Holland, the Duke of Exeter, lost his title in 1461. This happened because he was "attainted," which means he was found guilty of disloyalty to the King, and his titles were taken away.
• The Duke of Buckingham title went from Humphrey Stafford to his grandson, Henry Stafford, in 1460.
• The Duke of Somerset title was held by Henry Beaufort. He lost his title in 1461 but got it back in 1463 before he died. Then, Edmund Beaufort became the Duke in 1464.
• John de la Pole was the Duke of Suffolk. His title was officially recognized in 1463.
• Two new Duke titles were created in 1461: George Plantagenet became the Duke of Clarence, and Richard Plantagenet (who later became King Richard III) became the Duke of Gloucester.

Earls of England: Powerful Landowners

Earls were another very important group of nobles.

• Richard Neville, known as the "Kingmaker," was the powerful Earl of Warwick. He shared the title with his wife, Anne Neville.
• The Earl of Oxford title changed hands in 1462 from John de Vere to John de Vere.
• The Earl of Devon title was lost by Thomas Courtenay in 1461 because he was attainted. The title remained lost for a while. Later, in 1469, a new Earl of Devon title was created for Humphrey Stafford, but he also lost it that same year.
• The Earl of Salisbury title was held by Alice Montacute and her husband, Richard Neville. After their deaths, Richard Neville (the Kingmaker) took the title in 1462.
• The Earl of Northumberland title was lost by Henry Percy in 1461 due to attainder. A new Earl of Northumberland title was created in 1465 for John Neville, but it was later cancelled.
• The Earl of Shrewsbury title passed from John Talbot to his son, John Talbot, in 1460.
• The Earl of Kendal title was given up by John de Foix in 1462.
• The Earl of Wiltshire title became extinct in 1461 when James Butler died.
• New Earl titles created during this time included the Earl of Essex for Henry Bourchier in 1461, and the Earl of Kent for William Neville in 1461 (this title later ended when he died). Another Earl of Kent title was created for Edmund Grey in 1465.
• The Earl Rivers title was created for Richard Woodville in 1466. After he died in 1469, his son, Anthony Woodville, took the title.
• The Earl of Lincoln title was created for John de la Pole in 1467.
• The Earl of Pembroke title was held by Jasper Tudor but he lost it in 1461 due to attainder. A new Earl of Pembroke title was created in 1469 for William Herbert, and after his death that same year, his son William Herbert became the Earl.

Viscounts and Barons: Other Noble Ranks

Viscounts and Barons were also important noble titles.

• The Viscount Beaumont title changed from John Beaumont to William Beaumont in 1460. William was attainted in 1461, meaning he lost his title for a time.
• The Viscount Bourchier title was held by Henry Bourchier, who later became the Earl of Essex.
• Many Baron titles also changed hands, often due to death or attainder during the turbulent Wars of the Roses. For example, the Baron de Ros title was lost by Thomas de Ros in 1461 due to attainder. His son, Edmund de Ros, inherited it but it remained under attainder for many years.
• New Baron titles created included Baron Montagu for John Neville in 1461, Baron Cromwell for Humphrey Bourchier in 1461, and Baron Hastings for William Hastings in 1461.

Peerage of Scotland: Titles in the North (1460-1469)

Scotland also had its own system of peerages, with Dukes, Earls, and Lords.

• The Duke of Rothesay title was held by James Stewart, who became King James III in 1460, so his Duke title merged with the Crown.
• Alexander Stewart became the Duke of Albany in 1456.
• Among the Earls, the Earl of Sutherland title passed from John de Moravia to his son, John de Moravia, in 1460.
• The Earl of Angus title changed from George Douglas to Archibald Douglas in 1463.
• The Earl of Erroll title went from William Hay to Nicholas Hay in 1462.
• New Earl titles created in Scotland included the Earl of Arran for Thomas Boyd in 1467 (though he was attainted soon after), and the Earl of Buchan for James Stewart in 1469.
• Many Lord titles also continued or were created, such as Lord Cathcart for Alan Cathcart in 1460 and Lord Darnley for John Stewart in 1460.

Peerage of Ireland: Titles Across the Sea (1460-1469)

Ireland also had its own peerage system, with titles like Earls and Barons.

• The Earl of Ulster title was held by Richard of York. When his son, Edward of York, became King Edward IV in 1461, this title also merged with the Crown.
• The Earl of Kildare title was held by Thomas FitzGerald.
• The Earl of Ormond title passed from James Butler to John Butler in 1461.
• The Earl of Desmond title saw two changes: from James FitzGerald to Thomas FitzGerald in 1463, and then to James FitzGerald in 1468.
• The Earl of Waterford title changed from John Talbot to John Talbot in 1460.
• Among the Barons, the Baron Kingsale title changed from Patrick de Courcy to Nicholas de Courcy in 1460.
• The Baron Kerry title passed from Thomas Fitzmaurice to Edmond Fitzmaurice in 1469.
• New Baron titles created in Ireland included Baron Trimlestown for Robert Barnewall in 1461, Baron Dunsany for Christopher Plunkett in 1462 (this title passed to Richard Plunkett in 1463), Baron Portlester for Rowland FitzEustace in 1462, and Baron Ratoath for Robert Bold in 1468.

These changes in peerages show how important these titles were in the 15th century and how much power and influence could shift, especially during times of war and political change.