Earl of Warwick
1
9.5
- proper noun
- The Earl of Warwick was a key figure during the Wars of the Roses.
- Dudley, Earl of Warwick
Examples
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The history textbook devoted a chapter to the influence of the Earl of Warwick on the English monarchy.
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During the turbulent Wars of the Roses, the Earl of Warwick played a decisive role in shifting political alliances.
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Known as the 'Kingmaker', the Earl of Warwick was both feared and respected by his contemporaries.
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Did the Earl of Warwick really change sides in the conflict?
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The Earl of Warwick played a crucial role in the Wars of the Roses, shifting his loyalties between the York and Lancaster factions.
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Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, was known for his political influence during the turbulent times of 15th-century England.
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Many historians study the actions of the Earl of Warwick to understand the complexities of noble alliances during the medieval period.
Synonyms
44
8.8
A British noble who ranks between a marquess and a viscount
Surface Forms
Morphology
earl + of + Warwick
A learner who knows 'earl' and the preposition 'of' can infer that this is a noble title linked to a place named Warwick (i.e., 'the earl associated with Warwick'), so the general compositional sense is recoverable. However, the specific historical referent and prominence (e.g., Richard Neville and his role in the Wars of the Roses) are encyclopedic facts not derivable from the constituents, so full understanding requires extra cultural knowledge.
Etymology
Earl of Warwick comes from the town of Warwick and was the title given to the earl who ruled that area. One famous holder, Richard Neville (1428–1471), was so powerful in the Wars of the Roses that people called him the 'Kingmaker' because he could help put kings on the throne, so the title is linked with great influence.