Elizabeth of York
1466-1503. Oldest daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville-Grey. Wife of Henry VII. Sister of Edward V and Richard, Duke of York.
Early life - Influence of the War of the Roses
In her early childhood, Elizabeth and her family had to seek sanctuary in Westminster Abbey, as her Yorkist father was forced into exile by the Lancasters in 1470. After Edward IV’s return to the throne, her family regained their power. However, the king died in 1483 and the throne was seized by his brother Richard. Elizabeth’s family was once more forced to take refuge in the abbey and her brothers Edward V and Richard were murdered in the Tower of London. After the murders of Elizabeth’s brothers, she became the most legitimate heiress of the Yorkist faction. To silence rumours about the brothers' dubious deaths, King Richard granted security for Elizabeth and her mother.
Marriage
Richard III thought about marrying Elizabeth. However, the Lancastarian Henry Tudor returned successfully as King Henry VII from the Battle of Bosworth Field. The new king married Elizabeth of York on 18 January 1486. The Tudor Rose symbolises the merging of both Houses and signals the end of the War of the Roses.
Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth’s coronation was one year after Henry VII’s on 25 November 1486. The coronation was deliberately delayed, for the victory of the battle should stand out as the reason for Henry VII’s reign and not a marriage with the last heir of the House of York.
Her motto was “humble and reverent”, which represents her containment regarding political activities. Elizabeth and Henry had four children. Their oldest son Arthur was born in September 1486. Margaret became queen of Scotland, Henry succeeded his father and became Henry VIII. And her last child was Catherine. Elizabeth died on her 38th birthday in 1503 after she gave birth to her daughter Catherine. She was buried in the Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey. Catherine died a few weeks after her mother.
Sources
Arnold Baker, Charles. The Companion to British History. Tunbridge Wells: Longcross Press, 1996.
Cannon, John. Dictionary of British History. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001.
Cannon, John Ashton. The Kings and Queens of Britain. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001.
Harvey, Nancy Lenz. "Elizabeth of York (1465-1503)." Tudor England: An Encyclopedia. Ed. Arthur F. Kinney and David W. Swain. New York and London: Garland Publishing, 2001. 226.