Born – 1405
Died – 12th August 1469
Father – Richard Woodville (1385 – 1441)
Mother – Joan Bittlesgate (1390 – 1448)
Spouse – m. 1437 – Jacquetta of Luxembourg (1416 – 1472)
Children – Elizabeth (1437 – 1492), Lewis (1438 – 1450), Anne (1439 – 1489), Anthony (1440 – 1483), John (1444 – 1469), Jacquetta (1445 – 1509), Lionel (1446 – 1484), Eleanor (c. 1448 – 1512), Margaret (1450 – 1490), Martha (c. 1452 – 1500), Richard (1453 – 1491), Edward (1454 – 1488), Mary (1456 – 1481), Catherine (1458 – 1497)
1405 (during)
Richard Woodville was born to Richard Woodville and Joan Bittlesgate at Maidstone, Kent. His father was a squire to King Henry V.
1415 (during)
Richard Woodville’s father served as a Captain in the English army fighting in France.
1420 (around)
Richard Woodville’s father entered the service of King Henry V’s brother, John, Duke of Bedford.
1420 (around)
Richard joined his father in the service of King Henry V’s brother, John, Duke of Bedford.
1422 (31st August)
King Henry V died. He was succeeded by his infant son, Henry VI. John, Duke of Bedford, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester and Henry Beaufort, Henry V’s brothers, acted as regents for the infant King.
1422 (September)
John, Duke of Bedford was regent for the young king in France.
1422 (21st October)
King Charles VI of France died. In accordance with the terms of the Treaty of Troyes 1420, Henry VI became King of France.
1422 (after 21st October)
France was ruled by the Duke of Bedford, regent for the young King Henry VI. However, the French were not happy and wanted the English out of France.
1426 (during)
Richard Woodville was knighted by King Henry VI.
1429 (during)
Woodville had risen to the position of Captain in the English army.
1430 (around)
Woodville became Chamberlain to the Duke of Bedford.
1433 (during)
Woodville served in France as a knight of the Duke of Bedford.
1433 (22nd April)
John Duke of Bedford married Jacquetta of Luxembourg, the 17 year old daughter of Peter I of Luxembourg at Thérouanne.
1433 (9th May)
Battle of Gerberoy
Richard Woodville took part in this battle against the French which saw the English defeated.
Richard Woodville took part in this battle against the French which saw the English defeated.
1435 (during)
Woodville served in France under William de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk.
1435 (15th September)
John Duke of Bedford, died at Rouen.
1437 (during)
Woodville married Jacquetta of Luxembourg, the Duke of Bedford’s widow. The couple had fallen in love and married without the King’s permission. When King Henry VI learned of the marriage he banished the couple from court and fined them £1000.
1437 (October)
A daughter Elizabeth was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1437 (12th November)
King Henry VI took over personal rule. He forgave the Woodvilles for marrying.
1438 (during)
A son, Lewis, was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1439 (during)
A daughter Anne was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1439 (November)
Relief of Avranches
Woodville served in France under Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and took part in this battle which saw the English relieve Avranches.
Woodville served in France under Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and took part in this battle which saw the English relieve Avranches.
1440 (during)
A son, Anthony was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1441 (during)
Woodville served in France under Richard Duke of York.
1444 (during)
A son, John, was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1444 (during)
Woodville and his wife, Jacquetta were chosen to go to France and escort the King’s bride, Margaret of Anjou, to England.
1445 (during)
A daughter Jacquetta was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1445 (23rd April)
King Henry VI married Margaret of Anjou at Titchfield Abbey, Hampshire.
1445 (around)
Richard and Jacquetta Woodville were prominent members of the Royal court. Jacquetta was second ranking lady after the Queen.
1446 (during)
A son, Lionel was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1448 (around)
A daughter Eleanor was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1448 (during)
Richard Woodville was created Baron Rivers by King Henry VI.
1450 (during)
A daughter Margaret was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1450 (during)
Richard’s son, Lewis, died.
1450 (23rd April)
Woodville was created a Knight of the Garter.
1452 (during)
Richard’s daughter, Elizabeth Woodville, married John Grey.
1452 (during)
A son, John, was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1453 (during)
A son, Richard was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1453 (August)
King Henry VI suffered a mental breakdown and was unfit to rule. Richard Duke of York as heir presumptive felt he should replace Henry on the throne. However, Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset was favoured by Margaret of Anjou.
1453 (13th October)
A son, Edward, was born to King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou at the Palace of Westminster. He was created Duke of Cornwall.
1454 (during)
A son, Edward was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1454 (during)
Richard Woodville was appointed Lieutenant of Calais.
1454 (December)
King Henry VI regained his mental capacity.
1455 (22nd May)
Wars of the Roses began
First Battle of St Albans
The forces of Richard Duke of York, supported by Richard Neville, Duke of Salisbury and the Earl of Warwick defeated and killed the Lancastrians led by the Duke of Somerset and the Duke of Northumberland. King Henry VI was captured.
First Battle of St Albans
The forces of Richard Duke of York, supported by Richard Neville, Duke of Salisbury and the Earl of Warwick defeated and killed the Lancastrians led by the Duke of Somerset and the Duke of Northumberland. King Henry VI was captured.
1456 (during)
A daughter Mary was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1456 (25th February)
Richard Duke of York was dismissed as regent.
1457 (November)
Richard Woodville, who supported the Lancastrian King Henry VI, was appointed Constable of Rochester Castle.
1458 (October)
A daughter Catherine was born to Richard Woodville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire.
1459 (during)
Richard Woodville was appointed Warden of the Cinque Ports.
1460 (10th July)
Battle of Northampton
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and Edward, Earl of March defeated a Lancastrian force led by Humphrey, Stafford and Buckingham and captured Henry VI. Margaret of Anjou and Prince Edward fled to Harlech Castle.
Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick and Edward, Earl of March defeated a Lancastrian force led by Humphrey, Stafford and Buckingham and captured Henry VI. Margaret of Anjou and Prince Edward fled to Harlech Castle.
1460 (30th December)
Battle of Wakefield
Richard Duke of York was killed in this battle against the Lancastrians. His son, Edward, became Duke of York.
Richard Duke of York was killed in this battle against the Lancastrians. His son, Edward, became Duke of York.
1461 (17th February)
Second Battle of St Albans
Warwick attempted to block Margaret of Anjou’s southward advance on London but his defensive position was surprised. After a long and bloody battle the Yorkists fled and Henry VI was recaptured by the Lancastrians. During the fighting Richard’s son in law, John Grey was killed leaving his daughter Elizabeth a widow.
Warwick attempted to block Margaret of Anjou’s southward advance on London but his defensive position was surprised. After a long and bloody battle the Yorkists fled and Henry VI was recaptured by the Lancastrians. During the fighting Richard’s son in law, John Grey was killed leaving his daughter Elizabeth a widow.
1461 (4th March)
King Henry VI was deposed by Edward Duke of York who took the throne as Edward IV.
1462 (around)
Woodville had realised that the Lancastrian cause was lost and offered fealty to the Yorkist King.
1464 (early)
Elizabeth Woodville, who had lost everything and been forced to return to her parents, waited at a spot where she knew the king would pass. She pleaded with him to return her lands. King Edward was struck by Elizabeth’s beauty.
1464 (1st May)
Richard’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth, secretly married Edward IV at Elizabeth’s family home in Northamptonshire. The marriage was kept secret from the royal court.
1464 (September)
Edward announced his marriage. Edward’s chief minister, Warwick, was angry with Edward because he had promised the French that Edward would seal their alliance with a royal marriage between the two countries.
1465 (May)
Richard’s daughter, Elizabeth Woodville was crowned Queen of England and Wales.
1466 (during)
Richard Woodville, Baron Rivers, was created Earl Rivers.
1466 (11th February)
Richard’s granddaughter Elizabeth of York, was born to King Edward and Elizabeth Woodville at the Palace of Westminster. Jacquetta was appointed godmother to the infant princess.
1466 (March)
Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers was created Lord High Treasurer.
1467 (24th August)
Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers was created Lord High Treasurer.
1469 (26th July)
Battle of Edgecote Moor
Woodville and his son, John were taken prisoner following this battle which saw the Yorkist army defeated by a rebel force led by Robin of Redesdale. Redesdale’s true identity remains unknown but it is believed he was acting under instruction of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.
Woodville and his son, John were taken prisoner following this battle which saw the Yorkist army defeated by a rebel force led by Robin of Redesdale. Redesdale’s true identity remains unknown but it is believed he was acting under instruction of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.
1469 (12th August)
Richard Woodville was executed by the Earl of Warwick who had captured King Edward IV.
Published May 01, 2021 @ 11:16 am – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2021). Richard Woodville, Earl Rivers 1405 – 1469.