On "the Monday next after Saint Valentine", either in 1465 or 1466,
John Paston jr received a
letter from John Wykys, in which he was informed, among other things, about the recent marriages of the
queen`s
sister Margaret Woodville to Thomas FitzAlan and of Anne FitzHugh to
Francis Lovell. It cannot have been later
than 1466, for the letter refers to Paston`s father, who died in May
1466, in the present tense, and it cannot have been before 1465, for
John Lovell died only on 9th January 1465, leaving his son the king`s
ward.
Traditionally, it has been assumed that the year was 1466, as in February 1465, Francis`s father was dead for just a month and the inquisition into his death had not even been made. This happened only in autumn 1465, but these things were often delayed by some months, and more so when the heir was a minor, like Francis was.
However, on 11 February 1466, King Edward IV`s first child, Princess Elizabeth - later the consort of Henry VII - was born, and her birth celebrated with much pomp. While it is conceivable that the baby`s aunt Margaret was married during the celebrations, it is not likely the children Francis and Anne were. Francis`s guardian, the Earl of Warwick, was in attendance in London when the princess was born. He stood as her godfather and “presided over the queen`s churching” a few weeks later. (“The Nevills of Middleham” K.L.Clark). Francis and Anne, as well as Anne`s parents, were not noted to be in attendance, though.
It follows, therefore, that the Earl of Warwick was, in February 1466, busy in London and not having his ward and his niece married elsewhere. Since the marriage was arranged by him and Francis almost certainly already in his care, Francis would not have been married without Warwick`s presence, and it is unlikely in any case that he would have scheduled such an event for just the time the birth of the heir to the throne, which Princess Elizabeth would have been had she been a boy - and in fact was until she had a brother - was expected. This is particularly so since the wedding could have very easily have been scheduled a month before or afterwards.
That leaves, then, the year 1465 for Francis and Anne`s wedding. Despite it having been so soon after John Lovell`s death, there would have been no logistical problems, as the children were not related so that no dispensation needed to be send for, and all that would have been needed would have been their presence and the king`s agreement.
If the year 1465 is indeed correct, the groom had lost his father a month before the wedding and was eight years old, while the bride was either four or had just turned five. The marriage lasted over twenty years before Francis vanished, but produced no children.
Traditionally, it has been assumed that the year was 1466, as in February 1465, Francis`s father was dead for just a month and the inquisition into his death had not even been made. This happened only in autumn 1465, but these things were often delayed by some months, and more so when the heir was a minor, like Francis was.
However, on 11 February 1466, King Edward IV`s first child, Princess Elizabeth - later the consort of Henry VII - was born, and her birth celebrated with much pomp. While it is conceivable that the baby`s aunt Margaret was married during the celebrations, it is not likely the children Francis and Anne were. Francis`s guardian, the Earl of Warwick, was in attendance in London when the princess was born. He stood as her godfather and “presided over the queen`s churching” a few weeks later. (“The Nevills of Middleham” K.L.Clark). Francis and Anne, as well as Anne`s parents, were not noted to be in attendance, though.
It follows, therefore, that the Earl of Warwick was, in February 1466, busy in London and not having his ward and his niece married elsewhere. Since the marriage was arranged by him and Francis almost certainly already in his care, Francis would not have been married without Warwick`s presence, and it is unlikely in any case that he would have scheduled such an event for just the time the birth of the heir to the throne, which Princess Elizabeth would have been had she been a boy - and in fact was until she had a brother - was expected. This is particularly so since the wedding could have very easily have been scheduled a month before or afterwards.
That leaves, then, the year 1465 for Francis and Anne`s wedding. Despite it having been so soon after John Lovell`s death, there would have been no logistical problems, as the children were not related so that no dispensation needed to be send for, and all that would have been needed would have been their presence and the king`s agreement.
If the year 1465 is indeed correct, the groom had lost his father a month before the wedding and was eight years old, while the bride was either four or had just turned five. The marriage lasted over twenty years before Francis vanished, but produced no children.
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