Elizabeth of york a tudor queen and her world

When i heard that alison weir was writing a biography of elizabeth of york, i eagerly awaited its release. Back in 1483, buckingham and his allies had risen on henry tudors behalf on the understanding that he would marry elizabeth of york and rule jointly with her. In elizabeth of york, alison weir builds a portrait of this beloved queen, placing her in the context of the magnificent, ceremonious, often brutal world she. The story of elizabeth of york, samantha wilcoxson, 2015 i could not put the book down. Elizabeth of york was the first queen consort of england of the tudor dynasty from 18 january 1486 until her death, as the wife of henry vii. Elizabeth of york was the first tudor queen and the dullest. Yet through her marriage to henry vii she became the mother of the dynasty, with her children including a king of england henry viii and queens of scotland margaret and france mary rose, and her direct descendants including three tudor monarchs, two executed queens and, ultimately, the stuart royal family.

Im also finding it more difficult to keep track of characters in her latest histories though maybe the. Elizabeth of york was blonde and blueeyed, the fairest of edwards offspring, says historian alison weir in elizabeth of york, a tudor queen and her world. Elizabeth s relationship to her uncle richard iii being first and foremost whom she described as being her only joy and maker in the world, followed by her how she felt about the fate of her 2 brothers imprisoned, or possibly murdered in the tower, supposedly under the orders of her only joy richard iii. Alison weir describes the structures and finances of the tudor court with vivid detail. Elizabeth of york was the eldest daughter of the yorkist king edward iv. Weir is definitely not a richardian, but she avoids getting to caught up in the controversy in this book which i personally appreciated. Published in hardcover in great britain by jonathan cape, a division of random house group limited, london as elizabeth of york. But it is often forgotten that the life of the first tudor queen, elizabeth of york, henrys mother and elizabeth s grandmother, spanned one of englands most dramatic and perilous periods.

Most important, weir sincerely admires her subject, doing honor to an almost forgotten queen. As richards wife, anne neville, was dying, there were murmurs that the king sought to marry his niece elizabeth, knowing that most people believed her to be englands rightful queen. A tudor queen and her world is pretty much weirs standard fair in nonfiction these days, interesting but, to repeat myself, drier than it used to be. As alison weir reminds us, her young life was filled with scandal and violence. But it is often forgotten that the life of the first tudor queen, elizabeth of york, henry s mother and elizabeth s grandmother, spanned one of englands most dramatic and perilous periods. She was born on february 11th, 1466 and died on february 11, 1503. But it is often forgotten that the life of the first tudor queen, elizabeth of york, henrys mother and elizabeths grandmother, spanned one of englands most dramatic and perilous periods. When elizabeth was born england was being torn apart by a family quarrel that became known as the wars of the roses. New york times bestseller bestselling historian alison weir tells the poignant, suspenseful and sometimes tragic story of elizabeth. Facts about elizabeth of york give the impressive information about the wife of henry vii. In the evening, the king and queen attended divine service, and the next day, april 11, the royal family kept good friday with all solemnity. Main article primary sources 1 alison plowden, tudor women 2002 page 15 elizabeth s claim to be queen in her own right was infinitely stronger than henrys to be king. Elizabeth of york played an important role in the wars of the roses and the early tudor story.

Bbc history magazine and bbc world histories magazine are. Elizabeth of york, by alison weir the new york times. Alison weir is the new york times bestselling author of several historical biographies, including mary boleyn, the lady in the tower, mistress of the monarchy, henry viii, eleanor of aquitaine, the life of elizabeth i, and the six wives of henry viii, and the novels a dangerous inheritance, captive queen, the lady elizabeth, and innocent traitor. Henry vii married her to strengthen his claim to the throne of england by conquest and yet he delayed both their wedding and her coronation in the attempt to assert it was his claim on the throne that mattered, not hers. After the death of her father, king edward iv, elizabeths brothers the princes in the tower disappeared, their fate uncertain. Weir addresses elizabeth s possible role in this and her covert support for henry tudor, the exiled pretender who defeated richard at the battle of bosworth. Elizabeth, queen, consort of henry vii, king of england, 14651503. During this time, elizabeths life bounces from despondency to joy. Wilcoxson tells the story of elizabeth of york from november 2, 1470, until her death february 11, 1503. Together, elizabeth and henry had seven, possibly eight, children.

She married henry in 1486 after his victory at the battle of bosworth field, which marked the end of the wars of the roses. Edward iv and elizabeth wydeville with their children. Weir addresses elizabeth s possible role in this and her covert support for henry tudor, the exiled pretender who defeated richard at the battle of bosworth and was crowned henry vii, first sovereign of the house of tudor. Library of congress cataloginginpublication data weir, alison.

The first tudor queen to those who want to know more about the world of the tudors as well as those who want to know more about elizabeth. Ballantine books trade paperback editionview all editions and formats. In additional to revealing elizabeths full role at the tudor court, weir provides an evocative portrait of her world. New york times bestseller many are familiar with the story of the muchmarried king henry viii of england and the celebrated reign of his daughter, elizabeth i. There was nothing in english law to prevent a woman from occupying the throne, but in the political climate of the late fifteenth century such an idea would obviously have been unthinkable, and there is no evidence. But it is often forgotten that the life of the first tudor queen, elizabeth of york, henry s mother and elizabeth s grandmother, spanned one of england s most dramatic and perilous periods. New york times bestseller bestselling historian alison weir tells the poignant, suspenseful and sometimes tragic story of elizabeth, eldest daughter of the yorkist king edward iv and sister of the princes in the tower, a woman whose life was inextricably caught up in the turmoil of the wars of the roses and the establishment of the usurping tudor. Elizabeth of york was like a hinge between the plantagenets and the tudors. Elizabeth of york, the most virtuous princess and gracious queen. How elizabeth of york inspired the white princess and. Many are familiar with the story of the muchmarried king henry viii of england and the celebrated reign of his daughter, elizabeth i.

Having been a long time reader of weirs nonfiction works and knowing very little about elizabeth of york made this book highly anticipated. Born in 1466, she was the eldest daughter of the yorkist king edward iv, sister of the princes in the tower, and niece of richard iii, who had her and her siblings declared bastards so that he could claim the throne. Elizabeth of york 11 february 1466 11 february 1503 was the first queen consort of england of the tudor dynasty from 18 january 1486 until her death. Many are familiar with the story of the muchmarried king henry. Elizabeth s subsequent marriage to henry united the houses of york and lancaster and signaled the end of the wars of the roses.

They stayed at baynards castle, the london residence of edwards mother, cecily neville, duchess of york. As tudors go, elizabeth of york is relatively unknown. A tudor queen and her world from the world s largest community of readers. Praise for elizabeth of york weir tells elizabeth s story well. Elizabeth of york new york times bestseller bestselling historian alison weir tells the poignant, suspenseful and sometimes tragic story of elizabeth, eldest daughter of the yorkist king edward iv and sister of the princes in the tower, a woman whose life was inextricably caught up in the turmoil of the wars of the roses and the establishment of the usurping tudor. She was the daughter, sister, niece, wife, mother, and grandmother of monarchs. The court over which king edward presided, and in which elizabeth grew up, was a magnificent onethe most splendid court that could be found in all christendom.