Editing Battle of Barnet (section)

===Lancastrian===
Warwick had fought for the House of York since the early stages of the Wars of the Roses and alongside his cousin, Edward IV, in many of the battles. His years of loyalty earned him the trust of the Yorkists, and his victories—both political and military—and popularity with the common people made him an important figure.{{Sfn|Hicks|2002|pp=1–6}} He had powerful influence over the line of succession, earning him the nickname "The Kingmaker". Early historians described him as a military genius, but by the 20th century his tactical acumen was reconsidered; [[Philip A. Haigh|Philip Haigh]] suspects that the Earl largely owed some of his victories, such as the [[First Battle of St Albans]], to being in the right place at the right time.{{Sfn|Haigh|1995|p=13}} [[Christopher Gravett]] believes the Earl was too defensive and lacked mental flexibility.{{Sfn|Gravett|2003|p=21}}

[[File:Warwick prepping for Barnet.jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=A wax figure of a man stands, preparing for battle. The figure sports a bowl cut and wears a khaki doublet and dark brown breeches. At its legs is the wax figure of a kneeling squire.|The Earl of Warwick prepares for the battle in this [[diorama]] at [[Warwick Castle]].]]

[[John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu]], was less ambitious than his brother Warwick, but a more capable warrior and tactician. In 1464 he commanded a Yorkist force that turned the tables on a Lancastrian ambush at the [[Battle of Hedgeley Moor]] and launched a surprise attack at the [[Battle of Hexham]].{{Sfn|Gravett|2003|p=21}} These victories capped Neville's extensive service in the north, and Edward rewarded him with the Earldom of [[Northumberland]], which bore substantial income.{{Sfn|Hicks|2002|p=61}} The gift was particularly gratifying for Neville; his family had experienced a [[Percy–Neville feud|deep feud]] with the former [[Earl of Northumberland|earls of Northumberland]], the Percys, who supported the House of Lancaster. However, in March 1470, Edward, trying to win over the Percys' support, reinstated [[Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland|Henry Percy]] to the earldom. As recompense, Neville received the grander title of Marquess of Montagu; however, the lands accompanying this rank were much poorer than the estate he had lost.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|pp=144–145}} The new marquess saw it as an insult—an insubstantial title that was inadequate recognition for his years of faithful service.{{Sfn|Royle|2008|p=216}} Montagu did not immediately join Warwick's rebellion, however; he defected later in the year when his brother invaded England.{{Sfn|Carpenter|2002|p=177}}

Not much is known about the early history of [[John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford]], another Lancastrian commander; the chronicles mention little about him until the Battle of Losecoat Field. His father, the previous earl and a loyal Lancastrian, was executed for a failed plot to assassinate Edward IV. The Yorkist king tried to secure the loyalty of Oxford by knighting him and pardoning his transgressions. This tactic failed; Oxford remained true to the Lancastrian crown and participated in Warwick's effort to dethrone Edward.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|p=65}} Historians describe the young Oxford as a decent military leader, exemplified by his conduct in the Battle of Barnet.{{Sfn|Gravett|2003|p=22}}

Although Henry Holland, 3rd Duke of Exeter, was of royal blood,{{Sfn|Wolffe|2001|p=274}} he was commonly viewed as a criminal,{{Sfn|Harriss|2007|p=206}} prone to violence and stupidity.{{Sfn|Ross|1997|p=17}} A proven enemy of the Nevilles,{{Sfn|Wolffe|2001|p=289}} Exeter bore a grudge particularly against Warwick for displacing him from his hereditary role of [[Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom|Lord High Admiral]] in 1457.{{Sfn|Hicks|2002|p=133}} Nonetheless, when Warwick joined the Lancastrians, Exeter obeyed Margaret and served under the Earl during the invasion of England.{{Sfn|Hicks|2002|pp=302–303}} Although he supported the Lancastrian cause, Exeter had family ties to the House of York; he was husband to [[Anne of York, Duchess of Exeter|Anne of York]], Edward's sister.{{Sfn|Ross|1999|p=336}}