M, b. 1364, d. 21 October 1425
Ralph Neville - First Earl of Westmorland - Courtesy of Wikipedea
Ralph was born in 1364 in County Durham, England, at Raby Castle. He was the son of John Neville & Maud Percy, daughter of Henry de Percy & Idoine de Clifford.
1 He was knighted in July of 1380 at Saint-Omer. He was appointed 1st Earl of Westmorland on 29 September 1397 by King Richard.
1 Ralph married
Lady Margaret Stafford. Ralph's wife, Margaret, died on 9 June 1396 in Raby Castle, County Durham, England, leaving him a widower.
1 Ralph married 2nd
Lady Joan (?) de Beaufort, daughter of
John of Gaunt - House of Plantagenet and
Katherine Roet, before 29 November 1396.
1 Ralph departed this life on Friday, 21 October 1425 in County Durham, England, at Raby Castle. He was laid to rest in Staindrop Church, County Durham, England, between his two wives. Joan inherited the bulk of Ralph’s estate thru his will. By rights of the then laws, the entire estate should have passed to his grandson, son of his eldest son. Ralph’s decision may have been based on the large family that Joan was left to raise, and to provide for her. The result was to divide the family and create an internal conflict between Joan and her step children that would last for years. Because of her royal ancestry, and her own powerful political influence, she was able to retain possession and the senior branch of Ralph’s family received nothing further of his estate. After Joan’s death the estate she inherited, lands and titles, went to her children.
