Margaret of Anjou was born in Pont-a-Mousson in France on 23 March 1430 . Her parents were Rene, Count of Anjou and claimant of the title King of Naples, and Isabella Duchess of Lorraine. By birth, she was a member of the Royal House of Valois-Anjou.
Political Influence of Margaret of Anjou
Margaret was contracted to marry King Henry VI of England and became Queen Consort in 1445. As the King suffered from prolonged breakdowns, Margaret sought to manage his interests, their sons’ interest and matters of state. The latter contributed to the growth of factions, with herself becoming the head of the Lancastrian faction.
Shakepearean ‘She-Wolf’
She was a fiery woman, described by Shakespeare as being the she-wolf of France. She managed to wrestle control of the Council and Parliament on several occasions. This brought her into conflict with the Duke of York, particularly after Parliament passed the Act of Accord in 1460.
Margaret forged an alliance with Scotland and drew upon support from many nobles, most notably the Duke of Suffolk and following his murder, the Duke of Somerset.
Prisoner
Margaret ceased to play any significant role in politics after the death of her son, Prince Edward, in battle and that of her husband, both in 1471. Following the battle of Tewkesbury she was taken into custody of the Yorkists. Following a period of being held in England, she was returned to France as part of the negotiations that culminated in the Treaty of Picquigny. She died in Anjou in 1482.
Links
Margaret of Anjou and the Wars of the Roses
‘She-Wolf’ An A-Level History exercise assessing the validity of Shakespeare’s description of Margaret of Anjou.