Elizabeth Wydville and Richard III
Dame Grey, lately calling herself the Queen of England
Dec 10, 2008
Elizabeth’s marriage to Edward IV was declared invalid and her children illegitimate. She was insulted, stripped of her rights, and faced further humiliation when she was addressed as “Dame Grey, lately calling herself the Queen of England”.[i]
Her brother-in-law Richard III usurped the throne by deposing his nephew, Edward V.
Elizabeth’s five daughters also remained in Sanctuary. Their quarters were very cramped despite no furniture, a primitive toilet and very basic washing facilities. It was tedious and a real ordeal for a woman with small children.[ii]
Matchmaker
Soon Elizabeth was involved in a conspiracy with Margaret Beaufort to arrange a marriage between her eldest daughter, Elizabeth of York, to Henry Tudor. Others became involved to depose Richard and replace him with Henry.
Richard discovered the plot and executed many rebels. However, Elizabeth escaped arrest but she was left isolated and demoralised. Any hopes of regaining power as the Queen’s mother were quashed.
Elizabeth’s refusal to leave Sanctuary caused a public relations nightmare for Richard III, as he wanted his image as a benevolent king. She now believed her sons were dead. Many now regarded her eldest daughter as the rightful Queen.
Richard also wanted custody of Elizabeth of York so he took action by sending his emissaries. They pleaded and threatened Elizabeth to leave. She realised Sanctuary was no longer safe, as it was extremely clear the King would use necessary force to remove her.
Leaving Sanctuary
Elizabeth insisted he took a public oath to protect her daughters from danger, including rape and prison. She also knew Richard was anxious to protect his public image.
Relations between Elizabeth and Richard were already strained. (She believed he was guilty of murder.) Her five daughters left early in March 1484, and received at court.[iii]
Elizabeth’s whereabouts, once she left Sanctuary, remains a mystery. Her property was confiscated so she had nowhere to live. Richard granted Elizabeth an annual pension of 700 marks.
Richard III's Court
Elizabeth’s daughters were received at court and Richard kept his promise. He planned to find suitable husbands and provide the necessary dowries.
Richard’s wife, Anne Neville, was in poor health and her condition worsened.
Rumours ran rife of Richard’s plans to replace his wife with his eighteen-year-old niece. He needed a surviving heir.
Anne died on 16 March 1485 from tuberculosis. An eclipse of the sun occurred on the same day, leading many to believe Richard poisoned his wife to hasten her death!
© 2008 Carolyn Cash
NB: Elizabeth's name was incorrectly spelt "Woodville", according to Alison Weir (The Princes In The Tower), p 19
Part I - Elizabeth Wydville
Part II - Elizabeth Wydville In Sanctuary
Stay tuned for Part IV of Elizabeth Wydville's story ...
Sources
Griffiths, Ralph A, and, Thomas, Roger S, The Making of the Tudor Dynasty
Hilliam, David, Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards
Perry, Maria, Sisters To The King
Plowden, Alison, Tudor Women: Queens & Commoners
Starkey, David, Monarchy: From the Middle Ages To Modernity
Strickland, Agnes, Lives of the Queens of England, Elizabeth Woodville
Weir, Alison, The Princes in the Tower
Weir, Alison, Lancaster & York: The Wars of the Roses
Williams, Neville, The Lives of the Kings & Queens of England [edited by Antonia Fraser], Henry VII
Williamson, David, Debrett's Kings and Queens of Britain
Monarchy - Elizabeth Woodville
[i] Hilliam, David, Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards, Sutton Publishing Limited, Stroud, 1998, p 141.
[ii] ibid., pp 59, 141
[iii] Weir, Alison, The Princes in the Tower, Pimlico (an imprint of Random House), London, 1992, pp 196-197
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