Description:
(Former Queen of England (1464 - 1483))
Elizabeth Woodville was the wife of King Edward IV and remained Queen consort of England from 1464 until the King's death in 1483. This renowned beauty from the Lancastrian side was a widow with two children when she married Edward IV. Their marriage became a cause célèbre of the time, making Edward IV the second monarch of England to marry one of his subjects. Elizabeth was the first such consort to emerge as queen. Her Lancastrian background, without any royal rank, made her marriage to Edward IV unpopular among the ruling Yorkist nobility. Moreover, her propensity for gaining high offices and titles for her relatives and their subsequent advancements met with hostility, particularly from Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. This led to a fallout between the King and Warwick, who switched sides to the Lancastrians. Edward IV and Elizabeth’s son, Edward V, became king for a brief period, but the ‘Titulus Regius’ issued in 1484 invalidated their marriage, barring their children from the throne. The crown was bestowed on Richard III, the brother of Edward IV. Elizabeth later played an instrumental role in the accession of Lancastrian Henry VII to the throne, which marked the end of Yorkist rule.
Birthday
April 28, 0 (Taurus)
Born In
England
Alternative names
Elizabeth Widvile, Elizabeth Wydville, Elizabeth Wydeville
Died on
June 8, 0
Spouse/Ex-
Sir John Grey (m. c. 1452–61; his death) Edward IV of England
Parents
Richard Woodville, 1st Earl Rivers
Jacquetta of Luxembourg
Children
1st Duke of Bedford, 1st Marquess of Dorset, Anne of York, Bridget of York, Catherine of York, Cecily of York, Duke of York, Edward V, Elizabeth of York, George Plantagenet, Margaret of York, Mary of York, Richard Grey, Richard of Shrewsbury, Thomas Grey
Relatives
3rd Earl Rivers, Anne Woodville, Anthony Woodville, Catherine Woodville, Duchess of Buckingham, Edward Woodville, Eleanor Woodville, Jacquetta Woodville, John Woodville, Lewis Woodwille, Lionel Woodville, Lord Scales, Margaret Woodville, Martha Woodville, Mary Woodville, Richard Woodville
What role did Elizabeth Woodville play in the Wars of the Roses?
Elizabeth Woodville was the Queen consort of King Edward IV of England during the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars fought for control of the English throne between the houses of Lancaster and York.
How did Elizabeth Woodville's marriage to Edward IV impact English history?
Elizabeth Woodville's marriage to Edward IV helped to strengthen the Yorkist cause during the Wars of the Roses and played a significant role in securing the Yorkist claim to the English throne.
What was Elizabeth Woodville's reputation as Queen of England?
Elizabeth Woodville was known for her beauty, charm, and political influence during her time as Queen of England. She was also seen as a controversial figure due to her family's rise in status.
What was the significance of Elizabeth Woodville's children in English history?
Elizabeth Woodville's children, particularly her son Edward V, were central figures in the succession crisis that followed King Edward IV's death, leading to the eventual rise of the Tudor dynasty with the reign of Henry VII.
How did Elizabeth Woodville's life change after the death of King Edward IV?
After the death of King Edward IV, Elizabeth Woodville faced political turmoil and was eventually forced to seek sanctuary for herself and her children. This marked a significant decline in her influence and status in English politics.
