Queens of England, Elizabeth Wydeville, 1437 - 1492Elizabeth was born around 1437 in Northamptonshir

Queens of England, Elizabeth Wydeville, 1437 - 1492Elizabeth was born around 1437 in Northamptonshire, the daughter of Richard Wydeville and Jacquetta of Luxembourg. Elizabeth was described as the most beautiful woman in Britain. Around 1452, she was married to Sir John Grey of Groby and the couple had two children. John was killed at the second Battle of St Albans in 1461, fighting for the Lancastrian cause, as such his estates would have been confiscated. Elizabeth came to the attentions of Edward IV, the new Yorkist king. Legend says that Edward found her waiting in the woods near her home while he was out hunting, she was there with her two young boys, waiting to plead for her husbands estates to be returned to her. Being very beautiful, Edward was determined to have her. There are further rumours that Edward, notorious for his mistresses, wanted to make Elizabeth another, but she refused. This is supposedly why they were married, instead of Edward making a political alliance. Elizabeth’s marriage to Edward had serious political consequences. It seems to have been a large part in the argument that Edward had with Richard Neville, the Kingmaker, who had helped him gain his throne. Richard had been negotiating for a French marriage before Edward admitted he had been secretly married for several weeks. Elizabeth Wydeville was not popular with the Kings councillors, who thought he too common to marry the King and also worried about her Lancastrian ties. She made herself more unpopular by advancing her numerous siblings into some of the most noble English families. Elizabeth had ten children with Edward during her marriage, five girls and two boys survived past infancy. It was at this time that Richard Neville began plotting to put the deposed Henry VI back on the throne. His plans succeed, and in 1470, Edward fled from the country. During this time Elizabeth went into Sanctuary at Westminster Abbey, where she stayed with her children. She was also pregnant at the time and gave birth to her first son while confined there. Edward returned to England in 1471 and won back his crown. Edward IV died suddenly in 1483, aged only 40. Elizabeth’s 13 year old son became King Edward V. However Edward’s brother, Richard, soon took control and seized power. She went into Sanctuary once more, with her daughters and her youngest son. Richard had Elizabeth’s marriage to Edward declared invalid, claiming that Edward had secretly married Lady Eleanor Butler and that she had still been alive when Edward had married Elizabeth. As such, Richard declared Edward V a bastard and took the crown for himself. Among the nobles that Richard executed at this time was one of Elizabeth’s children from her first marriage, Richard Grey. Elizabeth refused to come out of sanctuary, despite several pleas and reassurances of her safety. She was eventually convinced to give up her youngest son, so that he could keep his older brother company in the Tower of London. The boys disappeared mysteriously shortly after and the mystery of their possible murder continues today. Elizabeth conspired with the Lancastrian’s once more while she was in sanctuary. Not sure whether her sons lived, she supported Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne and in return he offered to marry her eldest daughter, uniting the houses of Lancaster and York for good. Elizabeth eventually came out of sanctuary on 1st March 1484 and her decision continues to puzzle historians. Richard had sworn an oath not to harm her or her daughters if they left sanctuary and came to court, however the fate of her sons was unknown and she had not previously trusted Richard. In 1485, Henry Tudor invaded England and Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth. Henry had the act declaring Elizabeth’s children bastards revoked and married Elizabeth’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth of York. In 1487, Elizabeth retired to Bermondsey Abbey, where she spent the last five years of her life, living religiously. She lived respectably with a £400 pension from the King and was often visited by her daughters. It is not known why she decided to retire instead of staying at court with her daughter. Elizabeth died on 8th June 1492 and asked for a simple funeral. She was buried alongside her husband in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. -- source link

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