William Neville, 1st Earl of Kent

William Neville, Earl of Kent KG, born around 1405, was an English nobleman and soldier who fought in the latter stages of the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of the Roses. He was the third son of Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of Westmorland, and Joan Beaufort, the legitimised daughter of John of Gaunt, making William a great-grandson of Edward III. William married Joan de Fauconberg, the 6th Baroness Fauconberg suo jure, and assumed the title Lord Fauconberg.

His military career included being knighted in 1426 and serving in various campaigns in France and on the Scottish Borders. He was made a Knight of the Garter for his role in the campaigns of 1438-39. After being taken prisoner in France, he was ransomed in 1453 but suffered financial difficulties as a result. William’s allegiance shifted from the House of Lancaster to the House of York during Henry VI’s second period of madness, aligning with his brother-in-law Richard, Duke of York. He was created Earl of Kent in 1461 and held various other titles and appointments until his death in 1463.