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The Kingmaker
Republished as Last of the Barons by Brenda Clarke.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1969
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November 9, 2021
Writing under the names Brenda Clarke and Brenda Honeyman, this author has written various historical fiction novels. Under the pseudonym Kate Sedley, she has given us the Roger the Chapman series of historical fiction mysteries. Here, she has written an excellent biographical novel of the Earl of Warwick, Richard Neville—the legendary Kingmaker. While it does not provide any startlingly novel insights into Warwick’s motives, it does present the complex interplay of thoughts and emotions of the principal players and how they reacted to Warwick and to one another.
The story begins with Warwick’s first great victory, the first battle of St. Albans in 1455. From that time forward, Warwick was convinced of his superior abilities. In 1460, Warwick would not support a claim to the throne by York. However much the people loathed Margaret of Anjou, they still loved Henry and would not follow York. Deep in his heart, he knew that there was another reason for his determination to prevent York from claiming the throne. “Hardly acknowledged, even to himself, was the feeling that he, Richard Neville was more fitted to rule England than any of his kinsmen. But Warwick was orthodox; not for him the action of a Bolingbroke; the setting-up of a parvenu dynasty. He could no more put the House of Neville on the throne than he could fly. Nevertheless, the idea of ruling by proxy had long ago taken root in Warwick’s mind, but he had sense enough to know that such a contingency was unlikely if his uncle York obtained the crown. He stood a far better chance of putting his talents to the test if he secured the person of the King. Whoever had possession of Henry, was virtual master of the realm.” If anything should ever happen to York, that would be the time to put forward the claim of the House of York. “He could never manage York,but he had no doubt whatever that he could control York’s indolent, easy- going son.”
Anthony Woodville, however, was not fooled by Edward’s carefree appearance and saw the steely self-confidence that lie underneath When Anthony and his father were brought as prisoners before Warwick and Edward in Calais, the former berated them as traitors and nonentities. Edward agreed, but casually added that he himself was descended from three sons of Edward III. Interestingly, at the Towton both Woodvilles decided to throw in their lots with Edward if the latter won. On Lord Rivers’ part he saw a kindred spirit in Edward devoted to the pleasures of life. Anthony had remained loyal because he had sworn fealty to Henry and felt sorry for him, but he was sickened by the atrocities inflicted by the Queen’s army and was ready to suffer God’s punishment for breaking his oath.
We are also given insights into the thoughts of the Duke of York and his son Edward. After his return from Ireland, the Duke believed that he was better suited to take administrative control of the kingdom from London instead of Warwick, but he went north to Sandal because he realized he had missed out on Northampton and needed a military victory after the disgrace of Ludlow. For his part, Edward had never liked his father, largely because the Duke had never seemed to like him. (An unfortunate hint of the Blaybourne scandal?) Edward mourned his father the more savagely because of the suspicion of relief in the back of his mind, “an inchoate feeling that life would be easier, freer, now that York was dead. He burned with a desire for revenge, the fiercer because he could not love and regret his father as he felt he should.”
The focus of the novel is, of course, on Warwick’s ambition to be the real power to rule, but should he back Edward when the latter became unbiddable with partiality towards the Woodvilles? Or could he rule through George of Clarence , Henry, or through Margaret of Anjou. It is his brother George Neville who has the more subtle mind who tries to direct Warwick’s schemes. It is Edward who realizes before Warwick himself does that his wish to have his two daughters marry Clarence and Gloucester is motivated by a desire not only to rule but to have one of his daughters be Queen of England.
The historical events are related in a fast paced manner but with always a reference to their emotional impact on the people involved. Overall, a satisfying telling of the Kingmaker’s story.
The story begins with Warwick’s first great victory, the first battle of St. Albans in 1455. From that time forward, Warwick was convinced of his superior abilities. In 1460, Warwick would not support a claim to the throne by York. However much the people loathed Margaret of Anjou, they still loved Henry and would not follow York. Deep in his heart, he knew that there was another reason for his determination to prevent York from claiming the throne. “Hardly acknowledged, even to himself, was the feeling that he, Richard Neville was more fitted to rule England than any of his kinsmen. But Warwick was orthodox; not for him the action of a Bolingbroke; the setting-up of a parvenu dynasty. He could no more put the House of Neville on the throne than he could fly. Nevertheless, the idea of ruling by proxy had long ago taken root in Warwick’s mind, but he had sense enough to know that such a contingency was unlikely if his uncle York obtained the crown. He stood a far better chance of putting his talents to the test if he secured the person of the King. Whoever had possession of Henry, was virtual master of the realm.” If anything should ever happen to York, that would be the time to put forward the claim of the House of York. “He could never manage York,but he had no doubt whatever that he could control York’s indolent, easy- going son.”
Anthony Woodville, however, was not fooled by Edward’s carefree appearance and saw the steely self-confidence that lie underneath When Anthony and his father were brought as prisoners before Warwick and Edward in Calais, the former berated them as traitors and nonentities. Edward agreed, but casually added that he himself was descended from three sons of Edward III. Interestingly, at the Towton both Woodvilles decided to throw in their lots with Edward if the latter won. On Lord Rivers’ part he saw a kindred spirit in Edward devoted to the pleasures of life. Anthony had remained loyal because he had sworn fealty to Henry and felt sorry for him, but he was sickened by the atrocities inflicted by the Queen’s army and was ready to suffer God’s punishment for breaking his oath.
We are also given insights into the thoughts of the Duke of York and his son Edward. After his return from Ireland, the Duke believed that he was better suited to take administrative control of the kingdom from London instead of Warwick, but he went north to Sandal because he realized he had missed out on Northampton and needed a military victory after the disgrace of Ludlow. For his part, Edward had never liked his father, largely because the Duke had never seemed to like him. (An unfortunate hint of the Blaybourne scandal?) Edward mourned his father the more savagely because of the suspicion of relief in the back of his mind, “an inchoate feeling that life would be easier, freer, now that York was dead. He burned with a desire for revenge, the fiercer because he could not love and regret his father as he felt he should.”
The focus of the novel is, of course, on Warwick’s ambition to be the real power to rule, but should he back Edward when the latter became unbiddable with partiality towards the Woodvilles? Or could he rule through George of Clarence , Henry, or through Margaret of Anjou. It is his brother George Neville who has the more subtle mind who tries to direct Warwick’s schemes. It is Edward who realizes before Warwick himself does that his wish to have his two daughters marry Clarence and Gloucester is motivated by a desire not only to rule but to have one of his daughters be Queen of England.
The historical events are related in a fast paced manner but with always a reference to their emotional impact on the people involved. Overall, a satisfying telling of the Kingmaker’s story.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews