The working theme of this collection appears to be “consorts who’ve been largely forgotten”. Whereas I want it wasn’t true, I’m joyful to do my half to assist appropriate that. This Queen’s life was stuffed with chaos, intrigue, and hazard from begin to end basically, and I don’t know the way there has not been extra dramatic retellings of her life. Let’s have a look at our February Consort of the Month: Elizabeth of York!
Consort of the Month: Elizabeth of York Quick Details
Start Date: 11 February 1466
Dying Date: 11 February 1503
Tenure : 18 January 1486 – 11 February 1503
Start Title: Elizabeth of York
Partner: King Henry VII
Home: York
Father: King Edward IV
Mom: Elizabeth Woodville
Why Do We Know Elizabeth of York
Sadly, Elizabeth of York is a captivating Tudor determine that doesn’t obtain anyplace near the quantity of consideration that she does. (The early Tudors lived dramatic and thrilling lives just like the later generations, however one way or the other everybody however Henry VIII and Elizabeth I get forgotten.) In case you do know who Elizabeth is, it’s almost definitely from the Starz present The White Princess. Elizabeth (as Princess Elizabeth) is a determine within the earlier collection, The White Queen, however The White Princess focuses on Elizabeth and Henry’s courtship and marriage.
Elizabeth of York’s Early Life
Elizabeth was the eldest baby of the Yorkist King Edward IV and his spouse, Elizabeth Woodville. In 1466, she was born on the Palace of Westminster, a spot that she would change into very accustomed to. She started her training at 5 as anticipated of her standing, and she or he discovered studying, writing, historical past, alchemy, dancing, needlework, and music.
Edward was deposed in 1470, and the remainder of the household took sanctuary on the Palace of Westminster. He was restored lower than a yr later, and Elizabeth and her siblings took their place once more. Elizabeth was engaged to a number of individuals all through her childhood, together with the newly created Duke of Bedford when she was solely three and the Dauphin of France six years later.
An Early Dying of a King
The King died in 1483 at solely the age of forty. Some historians have argued that he died of pneumonia, whereas others have posited that it was his extreme way of life of heavy consuming, many mistresses, and consuming that led to his loss of life. In any case, Elizabeth Woodville turned the queen dowager.
Elizabeth’s brother, Edward, turned King Edward V. Nonetheless, the younger king solely held the throne from 9 April to 25 June 1483. Elizabeth and Edward’s uncle, King Richard III, seized the throne, and each Edward and youthful brother Richard have been taken to the Tower of London. They have been seen periodically till October of that yr after which they weren’t seen once more.
Elizabeth and her mom and surviving siblings sought sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. They suffered a major fall in standing underneath Richard’s reign; nevertheless, Elizabeth was nonetheless the niece of the King and was well-liked at court docket. There have been rumours that her uncle deliberate to marry her however there is no such thing as a concrete proof of that. (This hearsay options closely in The White Queen and The White Princess.)
Starting a New Dynasty
Henry Tudor had questionable claims to the throne that traced again via Catherine de Valois’ second marriage to Welsh nobleman Owain Tudor, thus many had issue accepting King Henry VII. Henry was suggested by his mom, in addition to many others, that marrying Elizabeth of York would safe his throne by uniting the Tudor and the York dynasties. (That will helpfully deliver Yorkists on facet.)
Henry had utilized for a papal dispensation to marry Elizabeth, as they have been each descended from John of Gaunt. They married on 18 January 1486, and their first baby, Arthur, was born in September of that yr. Notably, neither Elizabeth nor Henry have been significantly enamoured with the opposite once they married. They each understood that it was a needed political marriage, nevertheless it was not based mostly on love.
An Eventual Love Match
Whereas the couple didn’t instantly love one another, many historians imagine that they did ultimately come to like one another very a lot. After Arthur, Prince of Wales, was born in 1486, extra youngsters got here. Margaret was born in November 1489 and she or he went on to change into Queen (consort) of Scotland, and the long run King Henry VIII was born in 1491. Elizabeth adopted in 1493 however died in 1495; Mary was born in 1496 and would change into Queen (consort) of France. Edmund in 1499 and Katherine in 1503 each died younger.
Elizabeth had a big coronation in 1487, and she or he would go away her mark on royal areas, together with Greenwich Palace. Elizabeth was not identified to play a big function in politics, however Henry was identified to take heed to her opinions.
A Tragic Dying
Elizabeth died shortly after giving beginning to Katherine; most historians imagine that she died of an infection. Notably she died on her birthday. Henry grieved his spouse deeply and spent months in mourning. Their youngsters additionally mourned their mom; there are information of Henry VIII’s despair over shedding his mom. The Vaux Passional, an illuminated manuscript, has a number of depictions of Elizabeth’s passing and her household’s mourning her loss.
Elizabeth of York: Fascinating Details
– Elizabeth was the daughter of a King, the sister of a King, the niece of a King, the spouse of a King, and the mom of King.
– She loved retaining canine; greyhounds specifically have been her favorite.
– Following the disappearance (and loss of life) of her brothers, many in England thought of that Elizabeth of York was the rightful Queen of England.
– She was the grandmother of Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I, and the great-grandmother of Mary, Queen of Scots.
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Additional Readings on Elizabeth of York
Licence, Amy. Elizabeth of york: The forgotten Tudor Queen. Stroud: Amberley, 2014.
Weir, Alison. Elizabeth of york: A Tudor Queen and her world. New York: Ballantine Books Commerce Paperbacks, 2014.
Searching for my earlier Consort of the Month posts? Examine:
Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Queen Marie Antoinette
Catherine de Medici
Queen Adelaide
Catherine de Valois
Marie de Guise
Queen Alexandra of Denmark
Empress Josephine of France
I hope you have got loved Consort of the Month: Elizabeth of York!
Cheers,
The Historian
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