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Elizabeth of York

Elizabeth Woodville, the wife of King Edward IV, gave birth to their first child Elizabeth of York on 11th February 1446 at the Palace of Westminster. She was christened at Westminster Abbey. Being the wife of Henry VII, she was the first Tudor queen. Elizabeth of York was the queen consort of England from 1486 to 1503 till her last breath.

Early Life of Elizabeth of York

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At the age of three, in 1469, King betrothed her to George Neville, 1st Duke of Bedford. However, later George’s father John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu supported his uncle and rebelled against King Edward IV. Finally, they called off the betrothal.

Elizabeth of York

In 1475 at the age of nine, Louis XI declared the marriage of Elizabeth of York and his son Charles, the Dauphin of France. King Louis XI abandoned his promise in 1482.

The name Lady of the Garter was given to her in 1477.

As King’s Sister

Her father King Edward IV died unforeseen. Elizabeth of York’s younger brother, Edward V, took the position of his father as King. Her uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was made Lord Protector. Her mother Elizabeth Woodville opposed the decision to keep the power within her family.

Gloucester made the plan to dethrone Edward V. He intercepted him when Edward V was traveling to London. He put Edward V and his younger brother Richard in the Tower of London. Elizabeth Woodville took sanctuary in Westminster Abbey with her daughters.

Conspiracy against Royal Family

On 22nd June 1483, the marriage of Edward IV declared as invalid. He had already been betrothed to Lady Butler before his marriage with Elizabeth Woodville. ‘Titulus Regius’ bill was issued by Parliament which legally bacterized the children of the King.

This measure made them illegal to take over the throne. Gloucester was made the king as Richard III in July 1483. Thereafter, no one has seen Edward V and his brother Richard. Rumors claimed that they were murdered.

Wife of King Henry VII

Her mother Elizabeth Woodville made an alliance with Lady Beaufort. She was the mother of Henry Tudor who was descended from King Edward III. However, his claim to the throne was very weak because of the Act of Parliament during the reign of Richard II in the 1390s. The act barred Henry’s family from claiming accession to the throne.

Henry Tudor’s mother and Elizabeth Woodville, two rival houses, planned the invasion. Even after the successful invasion, a person from the House of York required to claim the throne. Thus, Henry promised to marry Elizabeth of York in December 1483.

Rumors claimed that Richard III wanted to marry Elizabeth of York, as he had no child with his dying wife. However, he denied this rumor and sent Elizabeth of York to the castle of Sheriff Hutton.

Henry Tudor landed in Wales in August 1485 and started marching inland. Richard III and Henry fought the ‘Battle of Bosworth Field’. Richard III lost the battle and died on the battlefield. Henry Tudor was crowned as King Henry VII by the right of conquest.

Marriage Life and Children

Even though Henry claimed the throne by right of conquest, he acknowledged the necessity of marrying her to keep the stability of his rule. This action would also prevent the claim to the throne for another surviving member of the House of York. King Henry and Elizabeth of York led a successful married life even though that was only a political deal to claim the throne and the regime. Henry VII repealed ‘Titulus Regius’ and acknowledged Edward V as his predecessor.

Their first son was born on 20th September 1486 and named Arthur. She was crowned queen on November 1487. She gave birth to seven children out of which four children survived infancy: Arthur, Henry, Margaret, and Mary.

Elizabeth of York’s eldest son Arthur, Prince of Wales, married Catherine of Aragon in 1501. She was the daughter of Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. However, Arthur died in 1502. This incident kept Henry VII and Elizabeth in depth of grief.

Henry, couple’s only surviving son became the king of England. Their daughter Margaret became the queen of Scotland and Mary became the queen of France. Many modern Royals, including Elizabeth II’s lines, are traced through Margaret.

Henry VII & Elizabeth of York Westminster Abbey Chapel

Death of Elizabeth of York

She was the only surviving child of Edward VI with no brothers alive. Elizabeth of York has a strong claim through the throne. However, after her marriage to Henry VII, she kept her life out of politics. In 1502, during her confinement period of pregnancy, Elizabeth of York spent her time in the Tower of London.

She gave birth to a daughter Katherine on 2nd February 1503. However, the child died in a few days. Because of postpartum infection, Elizabeth of York died on 11th February 1503, which was her 37th birthday.

Henry VII died in 1509. Both were buried under their effigies in Westminster Abbey chapel.

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