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Margaret Tudor – Biography

Below is a detailed biography of Margaret Tudor, the Queen of Scots, and the wife of James IV of Scotland who died in a battle with the English monarchs. Let us learn about her life and roles below.

Early Life of Margaret Tudor

Margaret Tudor was born on the 28th of November, 1489 in Westminster Palace in London. She was the first child of King Henry VII and his wife Elizabeth of York. She was well looked after as a young princess as daughters were important assets to the monarchs and a medium to end warfare and discover mutual gains.

Her governess was one of the ladies in waiting for the queen called Joan Vaux.

Margaret Tudor, the Queen of Scots
Margaret Tudor, the Queen of Scots

Ever since Margaret was a little girl, her father had already dreamed of her marriage with James IV of Scotland in order to end the Scottish King’s support to his opponent and pretender to the throne of England and majorly to unite the English and Scottish kingdoms.

Eventually, his plans were actualized and a marriage treaty was signed 24th of January 1502 to commemorate the peace agreement between the two lands. This treaty was called the Treaty of Perpetual Peace which was concluded for 170 years.

Margaret with her first husband, James IV.
Margaret with her first husband, James IV.

Marriage of Margaret Tudor

What was most peculiar about this wedding ceremony was that both the bride and the bridegroom were not present with each other when the marriage took place. This wedding was called a ‘Proxy marriage’ as the Earl of Bothwell was present in place of the bridegroom in the Queen’s chamber.

The ceremony was presided by the Archbishop of Glasgow. Post the ceremony there was a huge celebration of course that was followed by a prize-giving ceremony.

Margaret Tudor was then regarded as the Queen of Scots.

Margaret Tudor – Queen of Scots

She was welcomed to Glasgow with a huge celebration and was sent with gifts and ladies in waiting. As the Queen, she was provided with plenty of new clothes in a large wardrobe, a crimson bed with crimson curtain, expensive cloth from Italy, and everything that added to the charm in her well being.

Many properties were declared in her possession including the famous castles of Methwen, Stirling Castle, Downe Castle and more.

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