Ralph Neville 1st earl of Westmorland

Westmorland, Ralph Neville, 1st earl of (c.1364–1425). Son of the 3rd Baron Neville, he succeeded to the title and great northern estates in 1388. He supported Richard II and was created earl in 1397. But he joined Henry Bolingbroke, his brother-in-law, in 1399 and was made marshal for life. He stayed loyal to Henry IV and was given the Garter in 1403. Neville profited considerably from the defeat of the Percies in 1403, taking many of their estates, and was primarily responsible in 1405 for crushing the rising of Nottingham, Archbishop Scrope, and Northumberland, it was said by treachery. His children by two marriages numbered 23: Warwick the Kingmaker was his grandson.

J. A. Cannon

Ralph Neville Westmorland, 1st earl of 1364-1425, English nobleman. His family was one of the most powerful in England and shared domination of the northern counties with the Percy family, with whom the Nevilles were closely allied. Neville succeeded his father as Baron Neville of Raby in 1388 and supported Richard II against the baronial party. In 1397 he was created earl of Westmorland. His second wife was Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt and half sister of Henry of Lancaster (later Henry IV ). When, in 1399, Henry revolted against Richard, Westmorland supported Lancaster. He continued to support Henry as king and helped to put down the Percy revolt in 1403. When a new anti-Lancastrian revolt broke out in 1405, Westmorland captured two of the leaders, Archbishop Richard Le Scrope and the earl marshal of England, by trickery, but he had nothing to do with their quick execution. He was the father of a large family, many of whom made advantageous marriages. His daughter Cecily Neville married Richard, duke of York, and became the mother of Edward IV and Richard III; another of his grandsons was Richard Neville, earl of Warwick , called the Kingmaker.