Ludlow’s Ultimate Medieval Power Couple

Historian Matt Lewis and novelist Annie Garthwaite reveal the lives and Ludlow connections of Richard Duke of York and Cecily Neville

15th century Ludlow was home to one of the most powerful partnerships in medieval England. Richard and Cecily led the house of York during the Wars of the Roses, ultimately overthrowing the Lancastrian regime. Two of their sons became kings of England – Edward IV and Richard III – and their bloodline has flowed through the royal succession ever since.

But who were Cecily and Richard? What were they like? What made their partnership so powerful? And why was Ludlow their most prestigious powerbase?

Richard, Duke of York: King By Right

Matt Lewis

In 1476, a man who had been dead for over fifteen years was reburied as a king. His effigy had a crown held tantalisingly above his head, for he had never actually been a king. Richard, 3rd Duke of York, was positioned in death as King By Right. His son, King Edward IV, was seeking to boost his legitimacy by leaning on his father. Who was Richard, Duke of York, and how did he become known as a man who ought to have been a king? Matt explains the story of a man closely linked with Ludlow, who almost became the King of England.

Cecily, Ludlow’s Greatest Lady

Annie Garthwaite

On 13 October 1459, at the height of the Wars of the Roses, the castle and town of Ludlow were sacked by Lancastrian forces. Richard Duke of York and his sons had already fled for their lives, leaving Richard’s wife, Cecily, to face down and army alone. It was an act of courage typical of this great lady, who survived to build a dynasty and see two of her sons crowned king. Annie reveals Cecily in all her complex glory: Wife, mother, politician, traitor,

fighter and – ultimately – survivor. She’ll talk about Cecily’s life, her ambitions and her fateful connection to Ludlow

These fascinating talks will be followed by a free-flowing discussion about Richard and Cecily, and about their fateful children, not least the two Yorkist kings, Edward IV and Richard III.

The speakers

Matt Lewis is an author, historian and podcaster. His books include biographies of Richard III, of his father, Richard, Duke of York, of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, and accounts of the Wars of the Roses, the Anarchy, and The Survival of the Princes in the Tower. Matt hosts the Echoes of History podcast, and co-hosts the Gone Medieval podcast, as well as presenting documentaries for History Hit and appearing as a contributor in documentaries on the medieval period.

Annie Garthwaite is the acclaimed author of two novels that bring the women of the Wars of the Roses to life. Cecily (Viking, Penguin 2021) was named a 'top pick' by The Times and Sunday Times, a 'Best Book of 2021' by independent bookshops and Waterstones, and has been optioned for television. The King's Mother (Viking, Penguin 2024) was named ‘Book of the Month’ by The Times immediately upon publication. Annie is Vice Chair of the Mortimer History Society, a judge for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Prize and lives in Shropshire, close to the formidable Yorkist stronghold of Ludlow Castle.

This event will be streamed via Zoom. Tickets for online access are £8 and a link will be sent the week before. Refreshments at the interval are included in the ticket for those attending in person.