LizzyHenryTWP

Suki Waterhouse as Cecily of York in The White Princess.

Cecily was the third daughter of King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth Woodville. Cecily was betrothed many times during the reign of her father, and was even married to Ralph Scrope of Upsall during the reign of her uncle, Richard III, but the marriage was annulled when Henry VII ascended to the throne.

To bring an end to the Wars of the Roses, Henry VII was to marry Cecily’s older sister, Elizabeth of York. But, if Elizabeth were to die, Cecily would have taken her place.

In 1487, Cecily was married to John Welles, the half of brother of Margaret Beaufort. The two had two children, Elizabeth and Anne Welles. The two girls would die young, as would their father not too long after.

Cecily played an important role in many royal ceremonies. She carried her nephew, Arthur, Prince of Wales, at his christening; attended her sister, Elizabeth of York, at her coronation as Queen of England; and bore the train of Catherine of Aragon at her and Prince Arthur’s wedding.

Three years after losing her second husband, Cecily secretly married Thomas Kyme. It was most likely a love match, given Thomas’ low status. When Henry VII found out about his sister-in-laws secret marriage, he banished her from court and confiscated all of her estates.

During Cecily’s banishment from court, Margaret Beaufort let the two newly weds stay at her property, Collyweston Palace. Eventually, some of Cecily’s lands were restored to her.

It is uncertain if Cecily bore any more children, but if she did, they were given no royal titles, lands or positions at court. Cecily died at the age of 38 on August 24th of 1507, just four years after her sister, Elizabeth, died from childbirth. She is suspected to be buried in Quarr Abbey, and if she was, then any tomb or record of it existing had been lost when Henry VIII destroyed the abbey.

Avatars 200x320

get to know me meme: [2/10] female characters

◇ elizabeth of york ( the white princess )