Lilliana Lilycrest

### Issue

Katherine Lilycrest, Countess of Yarmouth and Cley,Edward Lilycrest, 8th Duke of Fotheringhay,

Amelia Lilycrest, Queen of England

### Related House(s)

Clitherow (by marriage)Neville (by heritage)

### Father

Henry Lilycrest, 4th Duke of Fotheringhay

### Mother

Alietta Neville, 1st Countess of Worcester

Lilliana Lilycrest [Latin: Lilyana] (6 March 1442 - 7 December 1502) was the eldest daughter of Henry Lilycrest, 4th Duke of Fotheringhay and his wife, Alietta Neville. She was suo jure Duchess of Fotheringhay, Countess of Worcester and Luton as well as being jure uxoris Countess of Morston.

## Early Life

Lilliana was born on the 6th of March to Henry and Alietta Lilycrest. Alietta was from the prestigious Neville family and was the sister of Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick. This made Lilliana Richard's niece. Lilliana grew up at the family's castle at Fotheringhay. Lilliana was the only person from the whole Lilycrest family to have ginger hair.

## Deflection to the Yorkists

Lilliana's father, Henry, wasn't popular with the King's main Lancastrian supporters at the court. Henry decided that with the help of his brother-in-law Richard that they would ally with the Duke of York. Henry was also planning on a marriage to secure their alliance, but Edward Plantagenet had already married Rosaline Beaufort at the time. Edward was starting to favour Rosaline and her Yorkist sisters to the Lilycrests, and was convincing his father to do so as well. Henry still remained loyal to the Duke. Lilliana was brought up a Yorkist and grew up around prominent Yorkist figures. The most notable was Edward and later Rosaline, however Rosaline and Lilliana didn't have a good relationship.

## Reign of Edward IV

Lilliana was sent to court in 1461 by her father to be the Lilycrest's ambassador. Lilliana was close friends with Elizabeth Beaufort, in which they discussed books. In 1462, Lilliana's mother Alietta died. It is unknown weither Lilliana inherited the title Countess of Worcester or got given it by Edward IV. In the same year, Lilliana was granted the Earldom of Luton. Lilliana was constantly singled out by Rosaline and wasn't allowed to participate in certain things the Queen organised. It was to the point where Lilliana complained about it to Edward, but Edward dismissed her thoughts.

## Marriage

In 1458, Lilliana married Robert Clitherow. He was the Earl of Morston so upon her marriage Lilliana became jure uxoris Countess of Morston. Due to the Lilycrests being very noble and related to the Nevilles, Lilliana got to keep and continue her line through her last name. The two had three children: Katherine, Edward and Amelia.

## Love Feud

The Love Feud was started by Lilliana. Being one of the daughters of the King's most trusted noble, Lilliana was informed of things quickly. When she was informed of the King's desires to marry Elizabeth Beaufort, she immediately told Rosaline and she promptly declared war on him. Lilliana allied with Rosaline, having this being the only time that she had sided against the King. Edward won however, and Rosaline fled to France with her youngest sister Anne Beaufort.

## Duchess of Fotheringhay

Lilliana became the Duchess of Fotheringhay in 1471 following her brothers death. She was the only child left of Henry Lilycrest, meaning she was the single heiress. Her brothers Edward and Thomas didn't have children. Upon her inheritance of the title, Robert became jure uxoris Duke of Fotheringhay. Edward however had let the main power be in the hands of Lilliana.