Elizabeth of York, Queen Consort

Elizabeth of York [1466 – 1503] was the eldest child of King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. Born in the Palace of Westminster, she was raised in the Royal Household alongside most of her younger siblings. Marriage unions were proposed for Elizabeth during her childhood, though never materialised. In 1483, the disappearance of her brothers Edward and Richard made her the heir to Edward IV. This led to agreements being made by her mother and Margaret Beaufort for a marriage between Elizabeth and Henry Tudor. In 1486, that marriage took place, making Elizabeth Queen Consort. Elizabeth bore 7 children to Henry, including the future King Henry VIII. Elizabeth of York died on her 37th birthday, in 1503.  

Princess Elizabeth of York as a child

Elizabeth was raised in the Royal Household. She shared her upbringing with all of her younger siblings, except the future Edward V who was raised in Ludlow as Prince of Wales.

As the first born daughter of King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth Woodville, Elizabeth was a hugely valuable child. This was reflected in grants to her, for her lifetime, of manors to pay for her upkeep.

Elizabeth of York’s childhood saw her father ousted from the Crown and forced into exile. This led to her mother taking refuge, with her children, in the sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. It is unlikely that Elizabeth would have been aware of the significance of events in the outside world as she was aged 4 when this took place. More noticeable would have been her mothers pregnancy and the birth of her brother, the future Edward V.

In her infancy, Elizabeth was promised in marriage to George Duke of Bedford. George was the son and heir of John Neville Marquess of Montagu. This arrangement was cancelled following the restoration of Edward IV in 1471, on account of the Duke’s father’s role in the readeption and alongside disputes over the Neville inheritance.

Available again as a potential bride, Edward IV then used his eldest daughter’s hand in marriage for diplomatic purposes. The 1475 Invasion of France was ended without a battle as diplomatic solutions were found. One aspect of the agreements made as the Treaty of Picquigny was negotiated, was the agreement of a future marriage of Elizabeth of York to Charles, Dauphin of France. That union also never happened, the Dauphin’s father later arranging an alternative union for his heir.

Accession Crisis of 1483

The death of Edward IV in April 1483 led to political turmoil in Court. Elizabeth of York’s brother, Edward V, became King. This was followed by a period in which members of Elizabeth’s maternal family were arrested, with others fleeing. In June of the same year, Elizabeth and her siblings were declared to be illegitimate, with their paternal uncle taking the Crown as Richard III.

Despite being declared illegitimate, Elizabeth’s position as eldest daughter of Edward IV meant that she retained importance. This significance grew as both of her brothers vanished from sight. As the female heir to Edward IV, Elizabeth was a potential figurehead for those disgruntled with the events of June 1483.

Elizabeth as a future bride of Henry Tudor Earl of Richmond

The accession of Richard III in place of Edward V was not without bloodshed. It included the execution of Elizabeth’s paternal uncle, Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers. Other members of her mothers family had perished, with others having taken flight to the continent. Those who fled became invovled in the Buckingham Rebellion.

The consequences of the revolts against Richard III’s rule included the rise of Henry Tudor to the fore as a potential alternative King. This led to Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville plotting with Lady Margaret Beaufort – who had been implicated in the rebellions of 1483. The two matriarchs agreed a union in marriage between Elizabeth of York and Henry Tudor. It would bring about a union of the two families who had fought the Wars of the Roses, vested in the senior heirs to each line.

Elizabeth of York’s Marriage to King Henry VII

Prior to his invasion and victory in the Battle of Bosworth, Henry Tudor had taken an oath in Rennes Cathedral stating that he would marry Elizabeth of York should he become King of England. It was designed to add support to his cause and legitimacy to his tenuous claim to the Crown. In England, rumours abounded that Elizabeth was being touted as a future bride by her uncle, Richard III. Whilst Richard publically denied the rumours, the rumour coupled with Henry Tudor’s oath made Elizabeth highly valuable.

After the victory of Henry Tudor at Bosworth, the promise of marriage in the event of Henry becoming King was kept. Henry was crowned on 30 October 1485. His first Parliament then reversed Richard’s legislation that declared Elizabeth and her siblings illegitimate on 7 November. Elizabeth entered the household of the new King’s mother whilst these formalities were undertaken.

On 18 January 1486 Elizabeth of York married King Henry VII, becoming Queen of England. The union had been subject to papal dispensation for which consent was granted via a legate 2 days prior to the marriage, with the validation of this being given retrospectively in March 1486. A Coronation ceremony for Elizabeth as Queen was held in November 1487: delayed by her pregnancy and the birth of Prince Arthur and the invasion of Yorkists that resulted in the Battle of Stoke Field.

Elizabeth of York as Queen of England

As Queen, Elizabeth took up a traditional role. Management of the Royal Household, arrangement of marriages for senior courtiers, oversight of the education of her children, and patronage were key features of her Queenship. This is in contrast to the level of involvement in political matters from some of her recent predecessors including her mother, and Margaret of Anjou.

Death and Burial

Elizabeth of York died on 11 February 1503, her 37th birthday. This followed complications arising from giving birth to a daughter, Katherine, on 2 February 1503. Princess Katherine also did not survive, dying in the same week as her mother. A grand funeral was held for Elizabeth of York. A procession travelled through London to Westminster Abbey for her internment. Elizabeth’s hearse bore a coffin made of holly wood which was lined with lead. A wooden effigy placed on top of the hearse survives to this day. The funeral of the first Tudor Queen Consort cost £2800, a huge amount for the time. Elizabeth was given a temporary internment, whilst work on a grand tomb in the Lady Chapel was completed. At the death of King Henry VII the pair were reunited in a joint tomb which remains intact in Westminster Abbey.

Books about Elizabeth of York

Licence, Amy. Elizabeth of York: The Forgotten Tudor Queen

Okerlund, Orlene. Elizabeth of York (Queenship and Power)

Weir, Alison. Elizabeth of York: The First Tudor Queen

Elizabeth of York Links

British Museum – The online collection of the British Museum contains over 40 items related to Elizabeth of York.

History Extra -Elizabeth of York: a Tudor of rare talent. Article by Alison Weir.

Historic Royal Palaces – Elizabeth of York, Mother of a Dynasty

National Portrait Gallery – Elizabeth features in 24 portraits held by the National Portrait Gallery.

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography – Biography of Elizabeth of York, authored by Rosemary Horrox.

Featured Image

Elizabeth of York by Unknown artist.
Oil on panel, late 16th century, based on a work of circa 1500
22 1/4 in. x 16 3/8 in. (565 mm x 416 mm)
NPG 311. National Portrait Galley. Creative Commons Licence.