#cousinswar

On this day in history the 6th of March 1461, Edward Plantaganet, Earl of March and the 4th Duke of York is declared king of England for the first time.

On this day in history the 7th of September 1533 Anne Boleyn gave birth to Princess Elizabeth Tudor in the early hours of the morning in Palace of Placentia Greenwich.

Even though she was a girl her father King Henry VIII was overjoyed. A healthy girl was a sign of healthy sons to follow. Sadly it was not Anne's fate to birth a living son.

The baby was Christened Elizabeth Tudor after both of her grandmother's Queen Elizabeth of York and Lady Elizabeth Howard.

On this day in history 2nd of October 1452 the final son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York and his wife Cecily Neville was born. He was the youngest surviving son.

He was born in the small hours after a difficult birth. The couple were overjoyed at the birth of another boy. Their family was strong by 15th Century terms.

As we all know this young man became King Richard III and the final monarch of both the Plantaganet(1154-1485) and York dynasty (1461-1485). He was a figure of controversy during his short reign (1483-1485) as he was one of the many figures in history that could have benefited from the disappearance or death of Edward Plantaganet The Prince if Wales and Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York more commonly known as The Princes in the Tower.

In his short life He was a great warrior. He was a skilled swordsman evem though he he a severe curvature of the spine known as Scoliosis but sadly hos reign ended with his death in Battle. He was slain by Henry Tudor's men on the 22nd of August 1485.

The battlefield in which he died is now being used for construction. That's right! Bosworth Feild is now going to be a construction site. The blood of a king and many others soaked the field that day the 22nd of August 1485 and now in 2018 a portion of it will be built on. I find this an insult to history and Richard himself.

Historical rants aside lets celebrate the birth of an iconic historical figure. He now rests in Leicester Cathedral with the honours of a king.

On this day in history the 8th of June 1492, Dowager Queen Elizabeth Wydeville died in her home in Bermondsey Abbey, Surrey.

She was born circa 1437 at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire. Her parents were unequal in status in the English court. Her father Sir Richard Wydeville was only a Knight. Her mother Jacquetta of Luxemburg was of high rank! She could have even became queen. Her first husband being John of Lancaster, 1st Earl Bedford.

Despite the scandalouus marraige Elizabeth was their first of fourteen children. Not much is known of her childhood but she was educated enough due to her family's Gentry status. They had land and wealth but were by no means noble.

At the age of only fifteen Elizabeth was married to John Grey of Groby with whom she had two sons. Richard Grey and Thomas Grey. They had a happy marraige but John was killed in the Second Battle of St. Albans in 1461 leaving Elizabeth a twenty three year old widow of two sons.

In April of 1464 Elizabeth met her second husband. King Edward of York. He was a twenty two year old man who was noted to be particularly handsome. Although it is not known exactly when they married but historians estimate it to be on the 1st of May 1464 in her family home in Northhampshire.

Their marraige was announced in court later the same year. Edward's cousin was not happy. Elizabeth was a commoner and of a Lancastrian family. Edward Neville, Earl of Warwick had tried to negotiate with France for Edward to marry a French princess.

She proved to be just like her parents. Not afraid of a little scandal! She was coronated Queen Consort of England on the 26th of May 1465.

The following year she gave birth to her first of ten Royal children. Elizabeth of York was born on the 11th of February 1466. Although Elizabeth and Edward were delighted with the birth of their first child, many looked down on Elizabeth for not giving the king a son and heir. This particular child was very important as she would one day become Queen of England. She died after giving birth to her eighth child Katherine on her 37th birthday.

The year after on the 11th of August Mary of York arrived. The couple were yet again overjoyed. Edward was devoted to his wife even though he did have a mistress. Every child born he ordered great celebrations. Many wondered why when a girl had been born. Edward lnew sons could rule but daughters could create strong alliances through marraige. Mary died on the 23rd of May 1482.

On the 20th of March 1469 Cecily of York was born. She was named after her paternal grandmother, Cecily Neville The Duchess of York.

In 1470 Edward was deposed and Henry VI was restored to the throne. Elizabeth fled with her daughters to Westminster Abbey to seek sanctuary. She and her daughters were brought to the Royal apartments. It was here Elizabeth found out she was yet again pregnant. She gave birth with the aid of her mother to a son. On the 2nd of November 1470 Edward Plantagenet, Prince of Wales was born. He became king upon the death of his father but was never coronated. He was the older of the two Princes in the Tower. Elizabeth was overjoyed. She'd finally given her husband a son amd heir. She'd helped to secure the York dynasty.

Margaret of York came on the 10th of April 1472. She didnt survive infancy and died in December of 1472. She is buried in Westminster Abbey.

A Duke of York was born on the 17th of August 1473. Richard of Shrewsbury was the so called 'spare' and made his family proud. Sadlt he was the ypunger of rhe two Princes in the Tower. He was only nine when he disappeared.

Anne of York was born on the 2nd of November 1475. She too was her family's pride and joy. Her sister made sure she was married well and was happy.

George, Duke of Bedford was born Early March of 1477. It isnt known for sure his actual date of birth but this poor little fella didnt survive. He died in 1479.

The next little bundle of joy was Catherine of York. She was born 14th of August 1479. She was Countess of Devon. She survived well into the reign of her nephew Henry VIII dying in 1527.

Elizabeth's final chil was Bridget of York. She was born on the 10th of November 1480. At the age of ten she entered a convent and devoted her life to God. She even studied the saints, her work still surviving. She died in 1517 in Dartford Priory, Kent

Elizabeth never conceived again. She gave the king two sons and by the end of his reign she had five surviving daughters. Sadly their happiness was not to last. In late March of 1483, Edward IV developed a chill. He thought it was merely a cold. He became weak and had to retire to bed. As the days went on Elizabeth tried to nurse her husband with their doctors. She did not leave his side. She was even with him when he took his last breath. On the 9th of April 1483 Edward IV died.

Elizabeth was now Dowager Queen. She had to ensure her son took the throne peacefully. Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester was made Lord Protector while young Edward V was in his minority.

Elizabeth did not trust Richard and took her five daughters and only remaining son Richard to Westminster Abbey to seek sanctuary. She feared that they would be imprisoned or worse killed.

Her son now King Edward V was brought from Ludlow Castle to the Tower of London until his coronation. Richard Plantagenet asked for Richard to be taken from his mother to accompany his brother in the Tower and help him prepare for his coronation. Elizabeth reluctantly agreed. This would be a huge mistake.

She never saw her sons again. They disappeared from the Tower. Many theories circle around this to this day. Were they smuggled to safety, suffocated as they slept in their beds? Maybe we will never truly know what became of these boys. Maybe on this day Elizabeth found out.

As her sons were in the Tower her marriage to Edward IV was made invalid due to Edward being precontracted to a Lady Eleanor Talbot. Her sons were made illegitimate and this tore Edward's claim to the throne from him. Her daughters were now Ladies rather than Princesses and had no claim to any inheritance. This angered Elizabeth. Her children were not bastards. They were legitimate. They had a birth right!

Richard Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester took the throne as Richard III. Elizabeth was furious and wanted to know of what became of her beloved son. Her brother Anthony Wydeville, 2nd Earl Rivers and Thomas Grey her older son were executed on Richard's orders. She wanted revenge.

She made a plan with Lady Margaret Beaufort that her only son Henry Tudor would marry her oldest daughter Elizabeth of York and unite the houses to end this bloody civil war.

Her daughters left sanctuary in March of 1484 to attend to Queen Anne. Richard promised Elizabeth her daughters woukd be married ti gentlemen of the court and they woukd nit be molested or belittled. This is when the rumours began. Rumours that Richard had taken his neice on as a mistress began to circulate the court. I beleive it to be false. Richard had four children. Three being illegitimate. John, Catherine and another I have completely forgotton (I apologise) and his son Edward of Middleham wad bis onpy legitimate child. If he did take Elizabeth as a miatress then surely she would have fallen pregnant. She had eight children for her husband and the first arriving the same year as their marraige. Sirely she was never anyones mistress if she was that fertile.

. Elizabeth of York often visited her mother and Elizabeth Wydeville knew full well everything that was going on. She wasnt a fool! She'd sent her older daughters to court

Over the next year Elizabeth Wydeville planned a rebellion with Margaret Beaufort. Richard was desperate. He lost his only legitimate son and his wife. He needed an heir and fast. Henry Tudor landed on the 7th of August 1485 with over eight thousand men. He was determined to win this fight and become King of England.

Elizabeth and her daughters were sent to the country where they'd be safe while Richard fought in Battle. Elizabeth and her five daughters enjoyed a life of luxury while here. They wanted for nothing. Even her younger children Bridget and Catherine were given the finest dresses as they grew since they were only five and six years of age.

Elizabeth heard news that Richard III was slain at the Battle of Bosworth a day later. Days after Henry's men escorted Elizabeth and her daughters to London to meet the king.

Henry was taken back by her daughter's beauty. He was reported to have stared at Elizabeth's oldest daughter like a young boy. Elizabeth of York was known for her beauty. She was his fiance and this was the reaction Dowager Queen Elizabeth Wydeville hoped for.

Elizabeth and her daughters lived in Westminster Palace where many of her children had been born. She had many good memories there and she considered it home. She did not attend the coronation of her future son in law but she was present at the Royal Wedding on the 18th of January 1486.

During the Summer Progress of 1486 Elizabeth had attended her daughter in her confinment. She and Lady Margaret Beaufort ensured Elizabeth followed the strict rules until she was to give birth

On the 20th of September 1486 she welcomed her first grandchild. A boy named Arthur. She was said to have been overjoyed although she was not present at the birth. She was present at his christening days later. He was christened in Winchester the supposed location of the legendary Round Table.

Elizabeth last public appearance was in November of 1487 when her oldest daughter Elizabeth of York was crowned Queen Consort of England.

She retired to the Abbey in 1487 after her daughter's coranation. She spent many joy filled years here with her daughters before they were brought to court or in Bridget's case went to a nunnery.

She always wrote to her daughters and always made sure they were treated as they were supposed to be. It was this day in history that Dowager Queen Elizabeth Wydeville passed. She was finally with her husband and the children she lost.

Elizabeth Wydeville was the grandmother of the Tudor Dynasty and her hair and eyes were inherited by every Tudor besides Queen Mary I. She was the only Tudor without blue eyes.

On this day in history 31st of May 1443 Lady Margaret Beaufort was born in Beltsoe Castle, Bedfordshire. She was the first daughter of John Beaufort, 1st Duke of Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp of Beltsoe.

At the age of only one she was married to J0hn De La Pope, 2nd Duke Suffolk. This was annuled in 1553 by King Henry VI. He rewarded his half brothers Edmund and Jasper Tudor wardship of her.

The king proposed his younger brither Edmund to marry Margaret. He was the oldest son of Catherine Valois who was also the King's mother and Owen Tudor.

On the 1st of November 1455 Margaret was married to Edmund Tudor af the age of only twelve. He did not seem to care for her young age for she fell pregnant not long after. As a Lancastrian Edmund was captured by Yorkist forces. He contracted the plague and died in captivity on the 3rd of November 1456. Margaret was seven months pregnant. Jasper Tudor took on Margaret and took care of her. As if was expected of him by his brother.

In the early hours of the 27th of January 1457 she went into labour. She was only thirteen years old! The labour was very difficult and she was in alot of pain due tonjer small body. She was not yet mature enough structure wise to give birth. At thirteen a girl's hips and vaginal muscles are not yet fully formed (during puberty a woman's hips widen and so does their pelvis) strengthened enough to actually push a child. After hours if labour and her and her baby ear dying sje gave birth to her first and only child. A son in Pembroke Castle. He was the future Henry VII

She remained in Pembroke Castle under the care of Jasper Tudor until the Yorkist victory in 1461. Edward IV stripped little Henry of his title Earl of Richmond and ir was bestowed upon Lord Herbert of Raglan.

Henry was send to Wales where he lived with his uncle.

Margaret was married to her third husband on the 3rd of January 1458. He was Sir Henry Stafford. He was much older being eighteen years her senior. They had a happy marraige and Margaret took it upon herself to restore Woking Castle. Even though this marraige did not have issue they were happy.

Henry Stafford died of his wounds after foghting for the Yorkist army in the Battle of Barnet. He died days after.

At the age of twenty eight Margaret was yet again a widow. She seen herself at risk so quickly tried to find another husband. It was around this time she wrote her will. She said that she wanted to be buried with her first husband Edmund Tudor she did nit acknowledge John de la Pole as her first husband and this was accepted under Canon Law.

She married for the 4th time to Lord Thomas Stanley. He was a Yorkist and it was her way back to court. She served Elizabeth Wydeville and she was even one of her many daughter's godmother. She delivered the Queen's second surviving son as well(As depicted on the Wjite Queen) as she knew how to deal with a difficult birth.

With the death of Edward IV and Richard III seizing the throne she had to serve Queen Anne. She even carried her train at her coranation.

Even though she was loyal, her titles and lands were stripped from her and given to her husband. This is what pushed Margaret over the edge.

Margaret being a mother of a single son with a claim to the throne of England who she had not seen for over ten years, sbe began to conspire with Dowager Queen Elizabeth Wydeville to put Henry Tudor on the throne woth Elizabeth's oldest daughter Elizabeth of York as his Queen..

When Henry VII won the throne at the Battle of Bosworth Feild she was made Her Lady, The King's Mother. She was the second mofher of a king ro use this title. The first being Cecily Neville, Duchess of York and mother to Edward IV and Richard III.

During her son's reign she had a huge influence. Parliamant gave her back her oands as her own as if she wasnt married. This was verg uncommon as it made her independent from her husband financially.

Margaret did not like the fact she was lower in rank than that of her Daughter in law Elizabeth of York and the Dowager Queen Elizabeth Wydeville. She even wore clothes of the same cokour as Elizabeth and walked half a pace behind.

She lived a long kiife and outlived her only son. Henry VII died in the 21st of April 1509. Margaret was afraodnthat the remaining Yorkist loyalists would rise and take the throne back. After all there still were many noboes with blue blood.

The King's death was not announced till the 24th of April and young Henry Tudor, Duke of York was declared king Henry VIII. Sje was present at his wedding on the 11th of June 1509 and his Coranation onnthe 24th of June.

After the coronation she retired to the Deanery of Westminster Abbey. She died there on the 29th of June 1509. The day after her grandsons eighteenth birthday.

On this day in history the 9th of April 1483 the first king of the house of York Edward IV died in Westminster Palace, Middlesex surrounded by his daughters, wife Elizabeth Wydeville and his mother Cecily Neville.

Born on the 28th of April 1442 in Rouen, Normandy he was the second son of Cecily Neville, Duchess of York and Richard Plantaganet, 3rd Duke of York.

During the reign of Henry VI he was given many titles. He became the 7th Earl of March, 9th Earl of Cambridge, 9th Earl of Ulster and even became the 65th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece.

His father became a main protagonist in the Cousin's War. Richard, Edward's fatber fought in many battles in his efforts to take the throne of England. He seen his claim to the throne stronger than that of the King!

This would cost his and his son Edmunds life as on the 30th of December 1460 Edward lost both his father and younger brother in the Battle of Wakefield.

This made Edward now the 4th Duke of York head of the Yorkist forces in the bloody war. He was determined to avenge his father's and brother's deaths and become king. Less than to months later on either the 2nd or the 3rd of February 1461, Edward led a battle at Mortimer's Cross where he defeated Lancastrian forces.

Then he moved on for on the 17th of February Edward with the help of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick led the Second Battle of St. Albans where they had a glorious defeat. The king was taken to safety by his followers.

In the bloodiest battle of English History the Battle of Towton Edward became King Edward IV. As the snow fell on the 30th of March 1461 Edward and his army slaughtered the Lancastrian army.

He was now King of England. Sinething his father and brother had died tryong to acheive. His younger brothers and his sisters and mother would now be safe as long as he ruled.

Now as king he must have a wife woth royal blood to give him sons for the dynasty he has created. He assigned his most trusted friend and cousin who helped him take the throne to find him a suitable wife. He was only 19 and young. He couod have his choice of anyone in England or Europe but when the time came, he chose a low born nobleman's daughter Elizabeth Wydeville.

They married in secret in 1463 and in May of 1465 she was coranated as Queen Consort kf England. She would give him seven daigjters and 3 sons. Only five of his daughters woukd live to be adults and his eldest and favourite daughter Elizabeth of York became Queen Consort of England and the first Tudor Queen. Only two of his sons would survive infancy but sadly they became the mysterious Princes in the Tower.

He left this world tbinking his son was secured on the throne but sadly we all know how that worked out.

Edward was an intelligent and popular king. He was a skilled politician and he had a charisma and humour that was unique to him. His grandson Henry Tudor (Henry VIII) would be very like him.

Edward IV was the king who set an example to the first Tudor King Henry VII. He looked to his deceased Father in kaw and took inspiration on what a king should be. Just, decisive and Patient.

Edward IV will always be remembered. He left his mark in history and I beleive thats what he would have wanted. To be spoken about and remembered centuries after his demise.