Thomas Neville (died 1460)
Sir Thomas Neville was the second son of Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury, a major nobleman and magnate in the north of England during the fifteenth-century Wars of the Roses. Sir Thomas was a younger brother to the more famous Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, the 'Kingmaker'. Thomas worked closely with them both in administering the region for the Crown and became a leading player in the turbulent regional politics of northern England in the early 1450s, especially in the Neville family's growing local rivalry with the House of Percy. In the armed feud between both houses, which broke out in 1453 and lasted two years, Thomas and his brother John launched a series of raids, ambushes and skirmishes across Yorkshire against the Percy family. Historians describe the feud as setting the stage for the Wars of the Roses, the dynastic struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York for the English throne, and Thomas played a large role in the Neville family's alliance with his uncle, Richard, Duke of York.
The site of the Battle of Stamford Bridge
Chester Castle, where Thomas Neville was imprisoned between September 1459 and July 1460
The remains of Sandal Castle, where Thomas Neville spent the last few weeks of his life, seen in 2008
Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury
Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury KG PC was an English nobleman and magnate based in northern England who became a key supporter of the House of York during the early years of the Wars of the Roses. He was the father of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, the "Kingmaker".
Richard Neville, 5th Earl of Salisbury depicted in the Salisbury Roll, c. 1483-1485, with tinctures of Neville arms transposed in error. He displays the arms of Montagu quartering Monthermer in the dexter position of honour.
Richard Neville and Alice Montacute as depicted in the Salisbury Roll, c. 1463.