1 March 1484: Elizabeth Woodville left Sanctuary

On 1 March 1484 Elizabeth Woodville left the sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. She paid homage to Richard III in exchange for his public promise to find suitable marriage partners for her daughters. 

The decision to leave Westminster Abbey’s sanctuary cannot have been an easy one for Elizabeth Woodville to make.  

Her family had been targeted by Richard as he wrestled control of the machinery of Government. Her sons had gone to the Tower to prepare for a coronation then, under Richard’s care, vanished from public view.  

Her marriage had been declared invalid by Richard’s parliament. Yet there were signs of a rapprochement toward her family by Richard.  

There were also rumours circulating about the future husband of the former Queens eldest daughter, Elizabeth of York.  

As her thoughts are not recorded, Elizabeth Woodville’s reasoning behind leaving the sanctuary are not known. That it was predetermined is known as messengers and heralds frequently visited her.  

Perhaps she felt that there was no further threat to herself or her family. Perhaps the failure of Buckingham’s Rebellion resigned her to a new and different role?  

Or was she already confident in the success of plots being hatched with Margaret Beaufort for her daughter’s future marriage to the Tudor claimant? 

Featured Image

Elizabeth in her coronation robes (Worshipful Company of Skinners’ Fraternity Book).