Anthony Woodville, 2nd Earl Rivers

Anthony Woodville was an English nobleman and son of Richard Woodville who created his family’s wealth. In 1464, Anthony’s sister Elizabeth was married to Edward IV (r. 1461-1470, 1471-1483) and through royal favors Rivers family became one of the most powerful in England.

However, such rapid success of the Rivers family made their destruction one of the aims of the rebellion against Edward IV in 1469. After Edward’s defeat at Edgecote, Northamptonshire (July 1469), Anthony’s father and brother were captured and beheaded. Anthony revenged his family and helped Edward IV to reclaim his throne in 1471. After the death of Edward IV, Duke of Gloucester (later King Richard III), the regent for young King Edward V, had Rivers executed for alleged treasonable activities.

At the time of his execution, Rivers was worth about £40,000 when net national income was around ·£3.6m, making his 1.1% share of it worth £12.3bn in 2010s money.