Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World

Summary (from the publisher): Many are familiar with the story of the much-married King Henry VIII of England and the celebrated reign of his daughter, Elizabeth I. But it is often forgotten that the life of the first Tudor queen, Elizabeth of York, Henry’s mother and Elizabeth’s grandmother, spanned one of England’s most dramatic and perilous periods. Now New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir presents the first modern biography of this extraordinary woman, whose very existence united the realm and ensured the survival of the Plantagenet bloodline.

Her birth was greeted with as much pomp and ceremony as that of a male heir. The first child of King Edward IV, Elizabeth enjoyed all the glittering trappings of royalty. But after the death of her father; the disappearance and probable murder of her brothers—the Princes in the Tower; and the usurpation of the throne by her calculating uncle Richard III, Elizabeth found her world turned upside-down: She and her siblings were declared bastards.

As Richard’s wife, Anne Neville, was dying, there were murmurs that the king sought to marry his niece Elizabeth, knowing that most people believed her to be England’s rightful queen. Weir addresses Elizabeth’s possible role in this and her covert support for Henry Tudor, the exiled pretender who defeated Richard at the Battle of Bosworth and was crowned Henry VII, first sovereign of the House of Tudor. Elizabeth’s subsequent marriage to Henry united the houses of York and Lancaster and signaled the end of the Wars of the Roses. For centuries historians have asserted that, as queen, she was kept under Henry’s firm grasp, but Weir shows that Elizabeth proved to be a model consort—pious and generous—who enjoyed the confidence of her husband, exerted a tangible and beneficial influence, and was revered by her son, the future King Henry VIII.

Drawing from a rich trove of historical records, Weir gives a long overdue and much-deserved look at this unforgettable princess whose line descends to today’s British monarch—a woman who overcame tragedy and danger to become one of England’s most beloved consorts.

Review: I received a copy of this book from Net Galley.

"She was the daughter, sister, niece, wife, mother, and grandmother of monarchs: daughter to Edward IV, sister to Edward V, niece to Richard III, wife to Henry VII, mother to Henry VIII, and grandmother to Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I; and she was the mother to two queen consorts. She was also the ancestress of every English monarch since 1509, every Scots monarch since 1513, and every British monarch since 1603, including the present queen, Elizabeth II." However, when Elizabeth of York was born, albeit as a princess, no one would have guessed the role she would play in the future of the realm. After a rocky path to the throne, Elizabeth's father anxiously awaited her birth, hoping she would be the son and heir needed to ensure the succession. Ironically, although she disappointed being a daughter, she would be the heir to her father's throne in the end. (In a nutshell)after her father's death, the realm was throne into chaos - her brothers was put aside (to become the lost princes of the Tower), her uncle ruled briefly, and finally Henry VII gained the throne and married Elizabeth to further legitimize his claim to the throne.  

In all ways Elizabeth seems to have been a dutiful daughter, wife, and queen. Unlike her mother, Elizabeth Wydeville, who was long disliked for marrying well above her station and trying to drag her family upwards with her, Elizabeth appears to have been obedient and done as was expected of her. She also appears to have a loving and positive relationship with her husband, the king. "The sources give an overwhelming impression that the union between Henry and Elizabeth evolved into a true partnership, a relationship based on deep affection, if not love, cooperation, fidelity, and trust. She was to show herself devoted to promoting his interests; she never interfered, never openly complained, and proved herself a true helpmeet. In short, this was the most successful and stable marriage made by any of the Tudors."

Likely directly because of Elizabeth's beloved and dutiful nature that she is not often remembered in fiction and popular culture. Yet her place in history is undeniable. It's amazing to think that a little princess who everyone assumed would be married off for England's advantage actually rose to be Queen of England herself and the mother of all future monarchs of England to this day.

Alison Weir, as usual, has done an exemplary job in the writing of this biography. Incredibly well researched, this biography was very detailed and tries to take into account alternative speculations from multiple historians where appropriate. Considering the vast family tree and interweaving historical plotlines that weave throughout Elizabeth's life, Weir has done an excellent job of making her story easy to understand and fascinating to read.

Stars: 4