New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE KINGMAKER.

The story of Warwick the Kingmaker is dim
and vague even 10 the majority of historical stu
dents, probably, while the general reader as RUE
knows no more of il than can be gathered from
Shakespeare or from Lyttons stirring romance
The Last OF the Barons." But no series OF
English Men of Action" could afford to omit
this striking and distinguished personality; ana
even such a sketch the present, combining as 1t
does all the known and trustworthy sources of
information many obscure points OF English
history, furnishes really valuable contribution
TO our knowledge of far-diStant and littlcunder-
stood period. The great house of Neville, Of which
Warwick was the head, had been built up during
several centuries by the simple but sure process
of matrimonial alliances. The Nevilles appear
70 have had family genius for contracting lu-
crative marriages. With them the principle OF
money marrying money was SO carefully ana
shrewdly applied that from generation 10 genera
ton the estates, manOrs messages, castles, toWh'
ships meadows and forests of the sept, grew in
number and extent, until the house became one OIL
the wealthiest and most powerful in all England
At that timc-which is to say, in the fifteenth
century-it was the custom for the tenants OF rich
mobiles to make contracts binding themselves 10
follow the banner of the landlord IN the hcld
and thus the duke earl who owned extensive
areas of tlllablc land could command a military
force which gave him great political weight.
When Richard Neville became Earl of War
wick by his marriage with Anne Beauchamp, III
l449, the House of Lancaster was entering upon
evil times Henry the Sixth was so feeble in body
and mind that the hereditary war with France
which had been carried on through his reign, had
resulted in the loss of all the possessions earned
by hard fighting during thirty years This French
war was essentially unjust and mschievous. 1t
represented a policy that never could he made TO
succeed in the first place Pride and greed were
al the bottom of it, and not justice. But us
worst consequences fell upon the people OF Eng
land whose blood and property were squandercd
in maintaining it,; whose nearest interests were
neglected in order to carry ii on, and who drew
from it nothing but injuries and losses. The
government of the Kingdom had fallen into wreck
of late. The laws were not administered. The
people were not protected. Robbery and violence
were paramount Lords and barons and knights
did as they pleased. BOod-lcuds between rival
houses were frequently fought, and on such a
scale that whole countries were plunged into the
horrors Of civil war. Appeals to the King were
vain He had neither power nor energy.
few great mobiles controlled the court, and the
common people were left TO the oppression of their
social superioTs. Neville came the stage under
circumstances peculiarly propitious. He one
OF the greatest landlords in England. He could
raise small army his demesnes. He
owned dozen castles, each of which was a
strong fortress He was the head of a numerous
family, all of whose members held official places
of some kind, and who accustomed TO work
together for common ends with SaEacitY and dis
cipline. With all these aids to fortune the young
Earl of Warwick united clear and strong in
telgence statesmanlike mind, great personal
courage and proves, and manners so winning that
he was beloved by all VINO knew him and was
the idol of his tenants and followers. In a few
Tho Of nc aGaiu- f1pnS MAJ
the most popular nobeman in England, and since
his power was no less in evidence than his AHA
bilty, there was no enterprise beyond his scope.
IL was the of the outbreak of the Wars of
the Roses The feeble Henry the supple tool
of men who hated and feared the proud Nevllles.
1t was natural in the circumstances that Warwick
should attach himself to the fortunes of the Duke
of York. who the target of court malignity,
who had been deprived of the Lord Lieutenancy of
Ireland capriciously, and who was evidently sin
ged ont for the reception of all SomersetS petu-
lance and malice. But Somerset and his peers
were growing daily more unpopular. Held re-
spOnsbe for the disasters of the French and
equally for the disagreement at home, they were
rapidly approaching an impossible position. At
that time the Commons of England quick
TO act when they had a grievance, and they
bold to ferocity in their attempts to right them
selves The so-called rebellion of Jack Cade was
one Of their spasmodic risnes against bad and
corrupt government. 1t only failed by being pre-
mature. II was in the line of action even then be-
ing meditated by many of the YOrkist MOBILES bat
the time not yet ripe for revolt, and so its
suppression was not interfeed with. But the
government of Somerset could not be tolerated
much longer, and at length the YorIists, driven TO
the wall, reheled against the Kings Ministers, and
by the battle of st. Adams overthrow those rulers
and secured possession of the royal person War
wick the head of the enterprise, and he and
his family arranged the new government lie
already a soldier of note, having held the
difficult post of Captain of Calais for several
years, and maintained himself there against all
the power that could be brought against him
either by Burgundy France In the coming
civil war he showed great powers of military
administration and organization.
There never would have been any Wars Of
the Roses but for the inrigueS Of foreign princess
Margaret of Aniou. Romance has thrown a halo
round the of woman who was really
curse to England, and whose treason, malice
and persistent aggressveness trebled all the evils
of civil war. The Queen had from the first hated
Warwick probably because she feared him. and
when he allied himself with the Duke of York
of course she became his personal and bitter enemy.
A day was TO come when these sworn foes
were to strike hands against the same ruler, who
owed his throne TO Warwick but the alliance
came too late 10 avert the threatened catastrophe
or TO save the totterng House of Lancaster.
When Edward the Fourth had himself proclaimed
the issue between York and Lancaster was made,
and thenccforth the arbitramcnt of the sword
could alone decide between the contestants. The
battle of TowtOn overthrow the Lancastrians.
The old King sent TO the Tower, confined with
a show of respect, but neglected For time
Edward remained on friendly terms with the King
maker, but he dreaded the great noble, resented
his personal obligations to the latter. and
resolved TO supplant him possible.
The Kings secret marriage with Elizabeth Wood