Elizabeth of York
1466-1503. Oldest daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville-Grey. Wife of Henry VII. Sister of Edward V and Richard, Duke of York.
Early life - Influence of the War of the Roses
In her early childhood, Elizabeth and her family had to seek sanctuary in Westminster Abbey, as her Yorkist father was forced into exile by the Lancasters in 1470. After Edward IV’s return to the throne, her family regained their power. However, the king died in 1483 and the throne was seized by his brother Richard III. Elizabeth’s family was once more forced to take refuge in the abbey and her brothers Edward V and Richard were murdered in the Tower of London. To silence rumours about the brother’s dubious deaths, King Richard granted security for Elizabeth and her mother.
Marriage
Richard III considered Elizabeth as wife and queen. However, the Lancastarian Henry Tudor returned successfully as King Henry VII from the battle of the War of the Roses at Bosworth Field. The new king married Elizabeth of York on the 18th January 1486. After the murders of Elizabeth’s brothers, she became the heiress of the Yorkist fraction. Their marriage sealed the end of the War of the Roses. The Tudor Rose symbolises the merge of both fractions.
Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth’s coronation was one year after Henry VII’s on the 25th November 1486. The coronation was deliberately delayed, for the victory of the battle should stand out as the reason for Henry VII’s reign and not a marriage with a Yorkist. Her motto was “Humble and reverent”, which represents her containment regarding political activities. As Queen, Elizabeth had four children. Her oldest son Arthur was born in September 1486. Margaret became queen of Scotland, Henry succeeded his father and became Henry VIII. And her last child was Catherine.
Death
Elizabeth died on her 38th birthday in 1503 after she gave birth to her daughter Catherine. She was buried in the Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey.
Sources
Arnold Baker, Charles. The Companion to British History. Tunbridge Wells: Longcross Press, 1996.
Cannon, John. Dictionary of British History. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001.
Cannon, John Ashton. The Kings and Queens of Britain. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001.
Harvey, Nancy Lenz. Elizabeth of York (1465-1503). Ed. Arthur F. Kinney and David W. Swain. Tudor England: AN Encyclopedia. New York and London: Garland Publishing, 2001.