The Percy and Neville feud was the most infamous northern feud and “the beginning of the
greatest sorrows in England”. However, the scale of the feud has been often misinterpreted
and its real political significance misunderstood.
During 1453, the absence of effective kingship led to nobles’ quarrels over land turning into
localised fighting.
- If there had been an effective king then the quarrelling sides would have appealed to
him to adjudicate but, without anyone to decide and enforce that decision, the
opposing families used force to settle their arguments.
However, it wasn’t just down to the King’s collapse but also the crown in the north was weak
and unable to control. The Earl of Sailsbury and Earl of Northumberland (Percy) had
suffered permanent falls in rent and financial losses, therefore were in need of royal favour.
Neville family:
RICHARD NEVILLE, Earl of Sailsbury - head of the Nevilles, owner of widespread estates
in the North and a long-standing supporter of the Lancastrians and Henry VI.
EARL OF WARWICK, Richard Neville (Sailsbury’s son) - inherited great estates, especially
in the Midlands, through his marriage.
The Nevilles had sympathised with York when he returned from Ireland in 1450 but had
backed Somerset in 1452 because there was more chance of building royal authority and
unity around Somerset.
Percy family:
Percies were led by the EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
LORD EGREMONT (Northumberland’s son)
REASONS FOR OUTBREAK:
1. The Percies were frustrated at the increasing wealth and dominance of the Nevilles
and by the Nevilles’ poor leadership of a military expedition against Scotland which
led to a Percy son being captured and ransomed.
2. IMMEDIATE CAUSE - land dispute and marriage!
3. The land at Wressle in Yorkshire had once belonged to the Percies but was now
being held by Lord Cromwell. The King had allowed the marriage between
Cromwell’s heir Maud Stanhope and Thomas Neville - meant that one day the
Nevilles would inherit Wressle, the former Percy land.
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