Cecily Neville, Duchess of York was a prominent figure during The Cousin's War and the matriarch of the House of York. Cecily was married to the ambitious and powerful Duke of York and gave birth to seven surviving children ; two of whom went on to become Kings of England. Cecily was reputed for her pride and fearsome temper and as so was a formidable active participant and critic of the politics at the Yorkist court. Her disapproval of Edward IV's marriage to Elizabeth Woodville and favoritism of George Duke of Clarence would lead to her being something of an antagonist and instigator during the Events of The White Queen and The Kingmaker's Daughter. However the events of The Lady of the Rivers would examine Cecily more closely and would shed some light on the rumors of Edward IV's parentage.