Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, had through fortunes of marriage and inheritance emerged in the 1450s at the center of English politics.

Originally a supporter of King Henry VI, a territorial dispute with the Duke of Somerset had led him to collaborate with Richard, Duke of York, in opposing the king.

From this conflict he had gained the strategically valuable post of Captain of Calais, a position that benefits him greatly in the following years.

The political conflict later turnsinto full-scale rebellion, where in battle York was slain, as was Warwick's father Salisbury.

York's son, however, later triumphed with Warwick's assistance, and was crowned King Edward IV.

Edward initially rules with Warwick's support, but the two later fall out over foreign policy and the king's choice of Elizabeth Woodville as his wife.

After a failed plot to crown Edward's brother, George, Duke of Clarence, Warwick instead restores Henry VI to the throne.

The triumph is short-lived, however: on April 14, 1471, Warwick is defeated by Edward at the Battle of Barnet, and killed.