Discuss the influence of Warwick the Kingmaker during the Wars of the Roses.

Warwick the Kingmaker was a pivotal figure during the Wars of the Roses, significantly influencing the power dynamics between the Yorkists and Lancastrians.

Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as 'Warwick the Kingmaker', was a dominant figure in the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars in England from 1455 to 1487. His influence was so profound that he was able to determine who would sit on the English throne, hence his nickname 'the Kingmaker'.

Warwick initially supported the Yorkist cause, helping Edward IV to ascend to the throne in 1461. He was a master strategist and his military prowess was instrumental in several key Yorkist victories, including the Battle of Northampton in 1460 and the Battle of Towton in 1461. His influence was not limited to the battlefield; he was also a skilled diplomat and negotiator, securing Edward's recognition as king by foreign powers.

However, Warwick's relationship with Edward IV soured due to disagreements over foreign policy and Edward's secret marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, which undermined Warwick's own political machinations. Feeling marginalised, Warwick switched his allegiance to the Lancastrian cause. In 1470, he orchestrated a rebellion that temporarily deposed Edward IV and restored Henry VI to the throne. This dramatic shift in power dynamics demonstrated Warwick's significant influence during this period.

Warwick's influence, however, was not unassailable. His attempt to maintain control over the Lancastrian king proved challenging, and his power began to wane. Edward IV, with aid from his brother Richard and the Duke of Burgundy, was able to reclaim the throne in 1471. Warwick was killed at the Battle of Barnet, marking the end of his influence in the Wars of the Roses.

In conclusion, Warwick the Kingmaker was a significant figure during the Wars of the Roses. His military and diplomatic skills, combined with his strategic alliances, allowed him to manipulate the power dynamics between the Yorkists and Lancastrians. However, his influence was ultimately undermined by his inability to maintain control over the kings he helped to place on the throne.