Richard de Vere, 11th Earl of Oxford, was a prominent English nobleman born around 1440. He was a key figure during the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for control of the English throne. De Vere was known for his loyalty to the Yorkist cause and played a significant role in various battles, including the Battle of Towton in 1461. In addition to his military involvement, Richard de Vere was also a patron of the arts and held considerable land and wealth. His lineage is often linked to the Shakespeare authorship debate, with some theorists suggesting he may have influenced the works attributed to William Shakespeare.