Earl of Rivers and John Wydville executed

13th August 1469

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            Yesterday, the twelfth of this month, Earl of Rivers and his second son John were both beheaded at Kenilworth. They have been taken  prisoners at Chepstow after the Yorkist defeat on the battle field of Edgecote Moor on 26 July 1469. They were killed  after a hasty show trial, thus, Anthony Wydville suceeded his father in the earldom.

         Richard Wydville, father of Queen Elizabeth, had fourtheen children with his wife, Jacquetta of Luxembourg. Elizabeth, Anthony, John, by his marriage with an old woman, Catherine Neville, about 65 years old at this time and which was considered as an indecent grasp for money and power, and Anne are actually the most renown. All his children had a great wedding.

1. Elizabeth Wydville, wife and queen of King Edward IV;
2. Lewis Wydville, dead;
3. Anne Wydville, wife of William Bourchier;
4. Anthony Wydville, Earl of Rivers;
5. Mary Wydville, married William Herbert, Countess of Pembroke;
6. Jacquetta Wydville, married John le Strange;
7. John Wydville, married Catherine Neville, dead;
8. Lionel Wydville;
9. Eleanor Wydville, married Sir Anthony Grey;
10. Martha Wydville, married Sir John Bromley;
11. Richard Wydville;
12. Edward Wydville, soldier;
13. Margaret Wydville, married Thomas Fitzalan;
14. Catherine Wydville, married Henry Stafford.

             Sir John Wydville was the second son of the Rivers couple. King Edward IV appointed him as Knight of the Bath and in 1469 his father and John went in the north to put down the rebellion which was suppoted by Clarence, the king's brother. King Edward sent them away and they went to the River's house at Grafton.

                After their executions, their heads were placed on spikes above the gates of Coventry. Countess of Rivers and Queen Elizabeth are broken-hearted and won't forget the treation of Warwick.

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