EDWARD IV & : A TRUE ROMANCE PDF, EPUB, EBOOK

Amy Licence | 304 pages | 01 Sep 2017 | Amberley Publishing | 9781445654935 | English | Chalford, United Kingdom The White Queen: 5 Historical Accuracies (& 5 Historical Inaccuracies)

The act stated that before the coronation of Richard III 6 July , the Three Estates of the Realm presented to the king a petition, detailing his rightful title to the crown of England. Richard III thus dated his reign from 26 June and this is the petition subsequently ratified as the Titulus Regius by the Parliament of January A Year Book of provides further supporting evidence. Stillington was a former Chancellor and a doctor of civil and canon law. There thus survives a considerable body of evidence testifying both to the veracity of the pre-contract and to its central role in the accession of Richard III. Two days later Richard sent a copy of the petition to the Calais garrison and, in January , Parliament ratified the document as the Titulus Regius. Until relatively recently historians questioned the very existence of Eleanor Talbot, a situation remedied by the research of Dr John Ashdown-Hill. Significantly, Richard III did not reward Stillington during his reign, quashing any suggestion that Richard bribed the bishop to connive in a plot to take the throne. His heavy-handed approach shows that it was too dangerous to investigate the matter further, and that his claim to the throne rested on a policy of ruthless censorship. Rotuli Parliamentorum Strachey ed. Year Books consisted of contemporary legal reports. For a list of English bishops and bishoprics see J. However, this displays a fundamental ignorance of the key mediaeval art of rhetoric, especially in setting out legal cases, in which arguments were assembled in order of importance gradatio using auxesis and other rhetorical devices until the most important argument is stated at the end as a climax. With grateful thanks to non-fiction author Annette Carson for this important clarification. First published in the Ricardian Bulletin magazine of March , pp. First published in the Ricardian Bulletin magazine of June , pp. Despite an initial emphasis on the political importance of a marital union with the eldest daughter of Edward IV, Henry's fear of the pre-contract was subsequently made manifest in his claim to rule in his own right as heir of Lancaster and his insistence that his title to the crown did not depend on Yorkist royal blood. This made them embark on a continued march for another 16 kilometres and they eventually made camp outside Tewkesbury where the Yorkist army finally caught up with them. As the day broke, Margaret of Anjou sought shelter at a religious house. The Lancastrian army numbered 6 soldiers and the Yorkist 5 It was a decisive victory which effectively eradicated any hope the Lancastrians had held of recovering the throne for Henry VI and not least for the Prince of ; Edward of Westminster, not least because when the battle was over, the latter was dead. It is not absolutely clear at which point during the battle the Prince of Wales was killed, some sources claim he was killed in the battle itself, others that he tried to run and was killed during the flight, others still that he was caught and brought to Edward IV, only to be executed. After the battle, Edward decided to break sanctuary, dragging the hiding men out and executing the commanders, one of which was Edmund Beaufort, and with him the House of Beaufort was basically exterminated, with the exception of Margaret Beaufort and her son Henry. A few days after the battle, Margaret of Anjou surrendered to Edward IV, most likely distraught by the death of her son and in effect, the death of the . She was brought to London as a prisoner of war and imprisoned in the Tower where her husband Henry VI was already held. The same night Henry VI died in the Tower, most likely murdered either on the orders of Edward himself or his brother Richard of Gloucester. York, Richard Plantagenet, who 7 years earlier, in , had been appointed Protector of England during the mental breakdown of Henry VI, had through his descent from Edward III on both his parents side a claim to the throne in the event Henry should die without an heir. When they all returned a year later, Richard of York after the rest, they soon took charge of London and the south of England, as well as took Henry as a captive at the Battle of Northampton July 10 th. York tried to claim the throne, but this was not well received among the other nobles. Instead he managed to persuade the captive Henry VI to disinherit his own son and make York himself his heir. It was her forces the Yorkist troops would be meeting at the battle of Wakefield. He also sent for assistance from his son Edward the future Edward IV who was on the border regions to Wales, but before any additional soldiers could arrive, York left his castle on December Yet another theory is that a small group Lancastrians made their way to the castle under a false banner, making York think that it was the reinforcements that arrived. A third theory is that both armies had come to an agreement on which day the battle would take place; January 6, but that the Lancaster army broke the agreement. Richard of York died in the battle while his son Edmund, Earl of Rutland, supposedly tried to flee over the Wakefield bridge where he was apprehended and murdered. The heads of York, Rutland and their ally, the Earl of Salisbury was placed over Micklebar Gate, the west entrance to the city of York, and their bodies buried at Pontefract. Under denna period intog Edward IV tronen. Today must be said to be the absolute startingpoint of the Tudor era. It is today of course the anniverasary of the Battle of Bosworth, which can also be said to have been the last great battle of the . Henry Tudor had left his 14 year long perido as an exile by way of Harfleur and without any mishaps crossed the channel and arrived in England on the 1st of August and landed in Wales on the 7 th. Being of Welsh descent Henry had expected more of a support, but he had been away for a long time and had also been not much more than a child when he left, and as a result his arrival was met to a large extent with indifference and silence. Only a small number of his fellow Welshmen decided to join him on his march further into the country, the most prominent member of the following being Rhys ap Thomas who must be said to have been a leading person in the west of Wales. He had, as a reward for refusing to participate in a rebellion against Richard III, received the position as lieutenant over west Wales by the king, but was successfully courted by Henry Tudor and decided to join the slowly growing army. Richard had anticipated the arrival of Henry since mid-July, but when news of the landing reached him on August 11 th , it still took him a couple of days before his loeds found out that the king was mobilising his forces and also was in need of them and their armies. Richard arrived on the 20th of August and joined Norfolk while Northumberland arrived the day after. Loyalty would have been a tricky thing for Lord Stanley during these days; on one side the king to whom he had sworn obedience, on the other side not only his wife and her son, but also his own son. Scholar - Women Also Know History

Post a comment. Friday, 1 May Did the White Queen really marry her king? May 1st is traditionally the date given for one of the most famous and romantic royal weddings in history. For it was on May Day that Elizabeth Woodville is said to have married Edward IV in a secret ceremony that turned her into Queen of England and altered royal history forever. But even now, five centuries and more on, the question remains - did the White Queen really marry her king? The remains of the tree where Edward and Elizabeth are said to have fallen in love. There's no point looking for the evidence. There are no written records of Elizabeth and Edward's marriage in a church. Registration of events like weddings wasn't formerly introduced until the 16th century. Besides, a marriage contract is a verbal contract - the paperwork just confirms it took place. However, the secrecy of the set up has led to all kinds of allegations that this union was never legal. Edward IV married for love but also to assert his independence. There's little doubt that within days of Edward finally admitting to his secret wedding, his new wife was accepted as just that. He lost the trust and friendship of Warwick, his cousin and "Kingmaker. I don't need any more proof that this must have been a love match. Perhaps he saw in his wife, a woman equal to keeping up with the shining splendor of his Camelot. I have now read a good bit about him and have a special interest in Edward IV. Edward wanted his court to be similar to the myth of Arthur and Camelot. It's very interesting to read how he thought of this and even had a round table. Edward was a tall, imposing, handsome man and at a time in history when people were shorter than we are today, Edward IV stood at 6"3". He liked the ladies and had many affairs with married and unmarried women and was apparently rarely without mistress. After he took the throne he remained unmarried for a number of years and of course the rest of his court wondered why, There were suggestions to match him up with Eleanor Butler and Bona of Savoy. However, when these prospects for his marriage were brought up Edward announced that he was already married and had two step-children. The court was shocked as was the country because kings didn't marry English women, they married foreign princesses in order to make or keep alliances. Edward IV had met Elizabeth Woodville and apparently this marriage was for love since they were married in secret sometime in September of Elizabeth was beautiful but she was not of royal blood, being the daughter of a knight. Edward was a military genius in addition to being an approachable king who was kind to his commoners. During his reign England enjoyed some peace at last after all the warring years. Amy Licence says that Elizabeth was a model queen and she and Edward "were straddling the old and the new. This book is worth reading if you know nothing about Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville or even if you do. It's a lovely non-fiction that is packed with information and especially good with the fabrics, clothes, jewels and foods that were such a lavish part of the royal couple's life. Well researched and although I've read a lot of books on Edward IV and Elizabeth I would have liked to read more about their romance. I feel the title is a bit misleading in that. In any case I would definitely recommend this book for any fans of 15th century history. This novel focused mainly on Edward IV and his rise to Kingship and although the author fits in quite a bit of history ; it has a balanced flow for the reader. This book started off a bit slower than some of the other books I have read by Amy Licence, but then things really got going. I never really knew that Edward's past was linked to Elizabeth's, but within the first three chapters, the connections were shown and the stage was set. Licence's writing always has a great flow, and this book was no exception. Which is not surprising, considering her gene pool. The Plantagenet princess was the oldest child of King Edward IV the head of the and Elizabeth Woodville, both of them famed for their good looks and sexual charisma. Edward was under pressure to marry a fellow royal, but at age 22 he fell passionately in love with Elizabeth Woodville, an impoverished young widow, and tried to seduce her. The Widow Woodville refused to become his mistress, drawing a knife and threatening to kill herself if he raped her. Bear in mind, this was the 15th century. Time to unpack one of the biggest controversies of English history. Did Elizabeth have sex with her uncle, the man whom many at the time—and up to this day—suspected had her two younger brothers killed? Richard III usurped the throne after the death of his older brother. His two young nephews, Edward and Richard, ended up in the Tower of London. Rumors roamed throughout Europe that Richard was paying his beautiful niece special attention. Since Elizabeth was beyond doubt residing in a castle in Yorkshire, many miles from the battle, this would have been quite a feat. - English Royal History - The Royal House of York

So, I loved reading about all of that. I knew the loose outline of some of the history, but to have to the gaps filled in was fascinating. Yes, the times were complex, but it was really difficult to keep straight in my head who all of these people were, and how they were connected to each other. The writer also employed many 'could haves' and 'may haves' as she referred to various historical sources, some of which conflicted with each other. Although I appreciated her efforts towards historical accuracy, it was frustrating at times, for example, not knowing exactly when and where Edward and Elizabeth married. I suppose I could go to a fictional version, such as Philippa Gregory's The White Queen , but in the past I haven't enjoyed her books that much. So, overall a very, very interesting read, but a challenging one to read due to all of the historical detail. It was my 'medieval' read, for March LOL. Finished it in June! Oh well. Better late than never! Despite its title, this book wasn't really a 'romance' though - more of a 'history'. View all 6 comments. Feb 10, Sharon rated it it was amazing. It is the stuff legends are made of and fairy tales. The story of how a penniless widow rose to become the Queen of England. After examining the lives of many of the characters of the Wars of the Roses and the Tudor period, author and historian Amy Licence has turned her attention to the greatest love story of Medieval England; Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, a true Cinderella story if ever there was one. In a wonderfully lively retelling of the lives of Edward IV and his queen, Ms Licence leaves no stone unturned. She tells the story from the beginning in a fascinating and engaging narrative of the lives of her main characters, and the lives of those around them. Her love of her subjects shines through. The book provides a thorough analysis, whilst being lively and enthralling. This romance is presented in the context of the period in which it happened. The author gives a comprehensive overview of the Wars of the Roses, and the characters involved, detailing the lives of the individuals close to Edward and Elizabeth, and the separate lives of the couple themselves before they come together. Their relationship is not only presented as a love story, but also in the context of the period in which they were living, demonstrating how big an upset it caused on the international stage. Her beauty was legendary but on almost every other level, she was an unacceptable choice for an English queen. She brings the past to life in a vivid and entertaining way. Crammed full of facts and information taken from primary sources, the book tells the story not only of Edward and Elizabeth, but also of their wider family and affinity, demonstrating how the lives of their friends and family are interlinked and how it influences the couple, their decisions and the world around them. The book discusses all aspects of the evidence available. This is presented in an objective and fair way; from the chronicles of the time, to literary representations and even rumours and archaeological evidence. Amy Licence discusses every legend related to the couple, explores the development of their relationship and its effects on the lives of the couple, their families and the nation at large. Every aspect of their lives is discussed, leaving no situation unexamined and no rumour ignored. Amy Licence presents a marriage and relationship that is as human and complex as any celebrity marriage of today. This is a wonderful study of one of the most famous love affairs in history in a book which is at once sympathetic, vivid and lively. In short, this book is a fabulous biography of a romance that changed English history a forever. Thoroughly researched and stunningly presented, it is a must-read for all lovers of history, romance and the Wars of the Roses, themselves. Mar 24, Carole P. Roman rated it it was amazing. Amy Licence writes readable as well as relatable history. This is a big time period to tackle, filled with controversial mine-fields beginning with the story of Elizabeth's and Edward's chance meeting, to tackling the king's questionable birth, as well as his own children's legitimacy due to the possible pre-contract with Eleanor Butler. Licence's book covers a vast array of topics. She explains the connection of Edward's court to Arthurian legends. She deals extensively with each of their Amy Licence writes readable as well as relatable history. She deals extensively with each of their backgrounds and the tumultuous times they both lived. She is able to explain each of their tangled lineages, detailing the importance of Edward's place in the succession. Elizabeth's background is given equal attention, giving a three dimensional picture of their expectations and positions in late medieval society. No subject is glossed over. I loved the way she described Edward's court from clothing to food, giving an insiders picture to what life was like. Licence gives the facts, drawing as detailed a picture as she can, without imposing her own opinion. She makes sure to include other historians theories, enabling the reader to come to their own conclusion. Her Elizabeth seems real, not the siren or witch with magical powers of persuasion, but a concerned mother, who acts swiftly to protect her brood. Edward gave up the possibility of an extensive dowry and alliances he would have gotten with a foreign princess. He lost the trust and friendship of Warwick, his cousin and "Kingmaker. I don't need any more proof that this must have been a love match. Perhaps he saw in his wife, a woman equal to keeping up with the shining splendor of his Camelot. View 2 comments. As a writer long obsessed with the magnificent yet hardly-known English King Edward IV, I was hooked on this from the opening pages, with their gripping account of the public burning of Jean d'Arc by the English in Rouen in , a decade before Edward's birth there. Amy Licence certainly sets the scene. I was less interested in the romance and more concerned with any further detail she could bring to my existing knowledge of these two pivotal characters in English history and she doesn't As a writer long obsessed with the magnificent yet hardly-known English King Edward IV, I was hooked on this from the opening pages, with their gripping account of the public burning of Jean d'Arc by the English in Rouen in , a decade before Edward's birth there. I was less interested in the romance and more concerned with any further detail she could bring to my existing knowledge of these two pivotal characters in English history and she doesn't disappoint. This is a very good book; full of detail and analysis but also so beautifully written. EW was quite a woman; most beautiful in England at the time it was reputed. The Earl of March was 6' 3", blond-haired, blue-eyed and already a serious womaniser when he became King Edward IV at just So what made him fall for a commoner, a five years older and near-destitute widow who already had two children, when he could have had any beautiful, rich princess he wanted and frequently had? Especially when he was already, probably, secretly married? Whatever it was witchcraft? A True Romance? Well they had ten children in their near two decades together, but their legacy surely is that their daughter married usurper Henry Tudor, united the warring Houses of York and Lancaster to end the Wars of the Roses, and became the mother of Henry VIII - another monarch whose womanising cost the country dearly. It was obviously in the genes. Will they never learn, these randy kings? Clearly not, but heck it makes for a page-turning read. Stuff the Nazis and the Russian Revolution, this is the kind of history they should be teaching in our schools. Nov 27, Kara rated it it was amazing Shelves: plantagent- fact. I could have used a family tree to consult to keep track of the staggering amount of siblings and children involved. Also, it wasn't my preferred to style to have the author cover five years or so of one person, then back track and cover the same period in regards to what someone else was doing I really like to keep my history chronological. However, balanced against those quibbles, is the AMAZING job Licence does to shine a bright spotlight on the cultural as well as military achievements of I could have used a family tree to consult to keep track of the staggering amount of siblings and children involved. Also, it wasn't my preferred to style to have the author cover five years or so of one person, then back track and cover the same period in regards to what someone else was doing — I really like to keep my history chronological. However, balanced against those quibbles, is the AMAZING job Licence does to shine a bright spotlight on the cultural as well as military achievements of Edward IV, loudly complaining that he is very unfairly overlooked by historians and artists alike. And, at the same time, gives Elizabeth Woodville credit where credit is due for actually being everything a 15th century queen was supposed to be, and all that gold digger, cold dragon rubbish is just the stupid male gaze condemning her for doing what many would be only too quick for praising a man for doing. The book starts a full generation before Edward and Elizabeth were born, delving into the richly detailed fabric of the time and the high and low dramas that lead to Edward being in position to take the crown. Then, once Edward and Elizabeth come to the forefront of history, she keeps the rest of the book laser focused on them, not getting too much into the other major players from then on, except in how they directly relate to their own actions. Licence digs up manuals, letters, poems, inventories, pantry orders, tomb commissions, and every other primary source she can think of it flesh out what happened throughout their busy lives. When she stumbles onto blank spots, she both admits to unknowns, and then explains what her guesses are based on, but more than happy to repeat that what was happening in some people's heads and hearts can never be known. She also does a the good service of reminding the reader so many parts of history are just one side's account, and even if we don't know the other side, we should remember its there. An excellent biography of Edward and Elizabeth, power couple, love story, parents, politicians, cultural trendsetters, and a man and woman who made their own decisions, for better or worse. Mar 08, Sarah Bryson rated it it was amazing. Amy Licences book on the relationship between King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth Woodville is a vibrant, engaging exploration of the lives of two people who came together during the uncertain times of the Wars of the Roses and attempted to bring stability and peace to a country at war. Licence first explores the life of Elizabeth Woodville, the origins of her family and the situations and tragic events that brought her to come face to face with King Edward IV. Many myths and legends have built up around Elizabeth Woodville. She is often perceived as a manipulating, scheming woman who sought to see herself upon the throne and her family elevated to places of great influence. Licence does a wonderful job at debunking these myths and allowing the reader to explore who the real Elizabeth Woodville was by examining the known facts, documents and testimonies from the age. Next Licence studies the life of Edward IV. Licence delves deeper into who Edward was as a man, his youth, the relationship he held with his younger his brothers and his beliefs and desires as a King. Licence then delves into the personal and private relationship between Edward and Elizabeth. She explores how they met, their secret marriage and the deeper reaching effects upon the court due to their marriage. Licence has clearly done a great deal of research into the private lives of Elizabeth and Edward and examined how the pair worked together, the intricacies of their relationship and their support of one another. This was fascinating as it allowed the reader to gain a deeper understanding of who Edward and Elizabeth were, not just as a King and Queen, but as a man and a woman with thoughts, feelings and desires. I loved being able to learn about a deeper and more personal side to Edward IV and his wife Elizabeth and it helped me to gain a greater understanding of who these remarkable people were. I would strong recommend this book to anyone interested in history or who have a desire to learn more about the personal and more intimate side of two extraordinary people. I really, really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. The author is clearly an excellent historian with a thorough knowledge of her subject s. However, I think the packaging is a bit misleading, which is probably what led to my disappointment. I have been fascinated with Edward IV and yearning for a deeper exploration of his famed "love" for Elizabeth Woodville for several years now, so I was delighted and surprised to see a book specifically on this topic. However, despite I really, really wanted to like this book, but However, despite reading the entire thing, I never discovered any sense of the "true love" promised in the book's title. If anything, I walked away from this book half-convinced he used the secret marriage to get laid and was planning on abandoning her Instead, it was a fairly dry biography of Edward IV with some information about Elizabeth thrown in. I have an MA in medieval art history, so I have read and even enjoyed my fair share of super dry history books -- but I still found myself zoning out under the deluge of inventory lists and nobility titles. I was hoping for something new, a different reading of their relationship, maybe a different interpretation of the historical facts. But to me, it just felt like other history books I've read on the subject, with maybe less humanity shining through. As a matter of personal preference, I actually enjoy when nonfiction authors speculate on possible feelings and motives of historical people assuming they make it clear it's speculation, of course. To me, this humanizes what would otherwise be a random assembly of facts. I enjoyed the parts of the book when the author allowed herself to do this, and I personally wish she had done more. The parts of the book where the author deviated into more narrative work, such as her description of the burning of Joan d'Arc, were really excellent, and I hope she continues to write more in that vein. At the end of the day, I feel like it is a great work of scholarship. Apr 14, Ruth Harwood rated it liked it. I haven't given this book 3 stars because I didn't enjoy the content! I love the stories of these years - the strong tall king, the beautiful queen and her numerous children, the beautiful court and of course, their two son, Richard and Edward, the infamous . It's a story that brought England from the medieval to the modern, from a backward nothing-island to the end of a raging war with France and the leader in style, diplomacy and the power of personality over Majesty. Simply, it was Edward's personality which made him king, made him a good king, and showed the people he cared about them - similar to a young Henry VIII! All this aside, and considering the title of the book, I found the content interesting, but not a 'True Romance' or even the mention of Elizabeth during the majority of the pages - A biography of Edward and the little we actually know about Elizabeth it may be, but there's little mention of them together, aside from a little at the beginning, and a lot of chapters only fleetingly mention 'what would Elizabeth have thought of this', so this was more a biography of Edward IV than a 'true romance' really, which is why I felt it didn't deserve any more stars. With a different title, reflecting this, this was a good biography, with much detail of his life, and it does try to dispel the myths of the 'grasping' queen, who, had she been a man, would simply have been called 'ambitious', and it does show that it would have been hard for anyone, even his wife, to have forced decisions about advancing family on Edward, a big personality and a popular king, so that was the one bright spell considering the poor lady's rep, but this is less about their relationship and more about him and his achievements and deeds, a biography, but a good one. Jul 06, Sarah rated it really liked it Shelves: history-non-fiction , history-england , 15th-century. If you're looking for a book purely based on the relationship of Edward and Elizabeth, I'm afraid you might be disappointed. There are sections of this book where the focus is on the Wars instead, and whilst this is crucial for context and understanding, I don't quite see how Edward's French expeditions and Picquigny fit into a book about the 'romance' between Edward and Elizabeth. There are whole swathes of this book where Elizabeth is barely mentioned, and whilst sometimes this is If you're looking for a book purely based on the relationship of Edward and Elizabeth, I'm afraid you might be disappointed. There are whole swathes of this book where Elizabeth is barely mentioned, and whilst sometimes this is understandable due to lack of evidence, it seems that sometimes she is absent in a book that claims to be about her. That being said, this book is extremely readable and accessible and doesn't necessarily require an extensive knowledge of the period in order to understand. Licence's points on Elizabeth's reputation are bang on and I would applaud her if I could - that Elizabeth is seen as haughty and greedy when her male contemporaries acting in the same way are simply driven and ambitious is a horrendously sexist double standard that seems to plague all women from most periods. Licence does redeem Elizabeth and is far more forgiving towards her than other authors have been in the past. She is also more forgiving for Edward as well, not subscribing to the usual interpretation that in his later years he was a tyrannical playboy. These interpretations are, I think, far more realistic. She has a tendency to be slightly too romantic at some points, but admits that it is all speculation. Overall this is a book not about the 'true romance' of Edward and Elizabeth but about the wars of the roses themselves, how the pair fit into the narrative and how history has treated them since their deaths. Apr 01, Sara rated it really liked it Shelves: , british-history , europe , royalty. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book was good - very all encompassing of the cultural and social issues facing England at this time. It focused less on the relationship and Elizabeth then I would have wanted going into the reign of Edward and what he was going through instead of the two of them as a couple. Some of the quotes and poems seemed unnecessary especially as the language was hard to follow. But it was still a good, quick read on a part of history that is overshadowed by the larger then life figures that This book was good - very all encompassing of the cultural and social issues facing England at this time. But it was still a good, quick read on a part of history that is overshadowed by the larger then life figures that followed. This was a bit of a struggle for me to finish as it proved to be more of a history textbook than the non-fiction detailing of the relationship between King Edward IV and his queen, Elizabeth Woodville Grey. Perhaps I owe my disillusionment to the fact that I binge-watched The White Queen just prior to buying this book, and was hoping for more intrigue and passionate romance. That is not this book, which focused far less on Edward and Elizabeth than on the historical context and circumstances of This was a bit of a struggle for me to finish as it proved to be more of a history textbook than the non-fiction detailing of the relationship between King Edward IV and his queen, Elizabeth Woodville Grey. That is not this book, which focused far less on Edward and Elizabeth than on the historical context and circumstances of their marriage and respective families. Jul 17, Andrew Hurst rated it really liked it. This is a highly readable account of the lives of Edward and Elizabeth. However, it tended to concentrate too much on the politics and wars of Edward's reign and at times overlooked the relationship between Edward and Elizabeth. It was almost like reading two biographies merged into a single book. Events concerning Elizabeth after Edward's death do not seem to have been covered in as great a depth as the period when Elizabeth was queen. Nov 22, Claire Biggs rated it it was amazing. Surprisingly disapointing. There are some interesting fragments some of them in my highlights if you wish to check but they are in minority. Certainly I have been reading much better books about said epoch. May 19, Michele Clarke rated it liked it. I really think she should take the words A True Romance, out of the title, there is barely anything on their romance, it is mainly what went on around the two more than actually the two themselves. This rating would of been higher if some of the content hadnt been so hard to take in; found myself having to tackle a chapter at a time to fully take in the amount of information. Dec 03, Susan Grimshaw rated it it was amazing. Very well written and a balanced account of the lives of Edmund and Elizabeth, with no assumptions or prejudices. Apr 12, Anne Marie rated it it was amazing. For those that love history this book is a treasure. As she has done with all her other work, it is brilliantly researched and presents her readers with renewed insight on historical realities occasionally overlooked. Licence brings Edward and Elizabeth to life in a way few ever have. She gives an in-depth look at things like the educational plan that was For those that love history this book is a treasure. She gives an in-depth look at things like the educational plan that was laid out for their son and heir, Prince Edward. Who was to guide him, the quality of time, a balance of lessons and leisure. She shows that they were two loving parents committed to shape him into a true Renaissance Prince. Amy Licence opens a vast window into Edward IV's interest in the arts. Edward's desire for knowledge in these areas surpassed that of any English monarch before him. Licence guides you through his pursuits in the arts; music, the humanists, painting, and incorporating new ideas into his court. She shows us Edward's interest in illuminated manuscripts, which led to a large collection that can still be seen today. This book gives the reader detail and narration into parts of Edward and Elizabeth's day to day life with documentation and actual accounts. She recounts Margaret of Burgundy's return to England in in its entire stunning array, not just who was there and how they were dressed; it is followed up with the actual wardrobe accounts. You can see what this family reunion actually cost. She also gives a delightful view into a chapter of Edward's reign that is very rarely seen; Edward and the Alchemists. Yet of more curiosity she has included another lesser known, far more interesting alchemist who discovered the 'Elixir of Gold', Thomas Norton. Licence points to Fabian's account of the event. She brings together so many contemporary accounts that one cannot fail to discover something new in her work. It is part of the brilliance of her composition; I have never finished one of her books without learning at least five new things. She has followed up all of her writing with references to the research she used to put together this work of art, for a work of art it is indeed. What an artist does with colours on a canvas, Amy Licence does with words on paper. Feb 16, Louise rated it it was amazing Shelves: first-reads , war-of- the-roses. I'm currently reading another book alongside this one, which might not be exactly the same subject matter The other book is actually about the family of Richard III , both books touch on the same era and similar themes throughout. However for me, the difference between the two titles is extremely noticeable. While the aforementioned book is written in a style that I can only describe as standard history prose, Ms. Licence's text is a more relaxed style, and therefore easier to follow which is I'm currently reading another book alongside this one, which might not be exactly the same subject matter The other book is actually about the family of Richard III , both books touch on the same era and similar themes throughout. The stage is set for an almighty power struggle, with women pulling most of the strings. This may, on the surface, be a story of powerful men trying to snatch the crown from each other. But don't be fooled. The real story goes on well behind the throne, with three women locked in psychological and political warfare. The first is Elizabeth Woodville, whose ravishing, delicate beauty makes King Edward IV weak at the knees as soon as he sees her - even if she does happen to hail from the hated House of Lancaster. It's a pivotal moment that makes the monarch throw caution to the wind, and changes the course of British history. Then, there's Margaret Beaufort, the so-called Red Queen the Lancastrians being represented by a red rose, and the Yorkists by a white. She is the fierce matriarch who is determined to do whatever it takes to steer her son, Henry Tudor, to his rightful place in history. The third member of our tempestuous trio is , the daughter of one of the most cunning and influential of the king's advisors, who is destined to play a key role at the side of a future king. As you'd expect from a big, juicy historical saga, The White Queen is a rich tapestry of sub-plots, each influencing the other. At its heart, at least to start with, is the passionate courtship of Edward and Elizabeth, who - like Romeo and Juliet - are star-crossed lovers from rival factions. This, in turn, kicks off the sinister machinations of the Earl of Warwick, the king's advisor who doesn't take kindly to Edward falling in love with the wrong woman. Over on the Lancastrian side of things, we'll see the parallel saga of Margaret Beaufort and her son Henry, who are poised to throw Yorkist rule into disarray. Among this power-hungry clan there's a young, raven-locked man called Richard, who will go down in history as the tyrant king Richard III, although The White Queen gives us a very different take on a man often portrayed as a cackling villain. And, just to excite all the history buffs, the infamous story of the Princes in the Tower plays a part in things as well.

Edward IV & Elizabeth Woodville: A True Romance by Amy Licence Book Review - History of Royal Women

Five years older than her royal husband, Elizabeth Woodville was an unlikely queen. Her legendary blonde beauty entranced the young king to the extent that he married her in spite of tradition, in spite of advice, perhaps even in spite of himself. She was a widow, a mother already, born and married into Lancastrian families, the daughter of a mere knight, a man whom Edward had formerly held in contempt. She brought no dowry or international connections, no territories or promise of diplomatic support. What she did bring was her fertility, bearing the king 10 children in addition to the two sons from her first husband, Sir John Grey. Elizabeth also brought in a model of queenship that differed vastly from that of the woman she replaced, the Lancastrian Margaret of Anjou. Elizabeth may have begun her reign as unsuitable and unpopular but in fact, she was the perfect embodiment of the beautiful, submissive, fertile queen — an archetype of medieval literature. Exactly when Elizabeth and Edward first met is unclear. They may well have been thrown together in the small, elite world of the English aristocracy, at court or some important event in the s. It is possible that he admired her before this point but, even if they had never previously seen one another, their attraction was quickly and decisively established. She appealed to William, Lord Hastings, probably in his role as overseer of the Yorkist Midlands, for his assistance in a dispute arising with her mother-in-law. Legend has Elizabeth waiting for Edward under an oak in Whittlebury Forest, a helpless widow, hoping to plead for the inheritances of her sons. Perhaps he did come riding by, hear her problems and fall in love. When she became aware of his intentions and agreed to become his wife, knowing his position, she cannot have known what lay ahead, but she must have agreed to collude in his veil of secrecy. Her decision to marry the king cannot have been one she would have taken lightly. Elizabeth married Edward in secret, some time before September The exact date and circumstances of this event are still hotly debated among historians, especially because the choices Edward made were later used to undermine his dynastic line. This choice was hardly surprising, given the reaction Edward could anticipate to the match, but there is also the possibility that the ritual was intended as a means of seduction rather than a lasting commitment. Some historians have suggested that the king was, in fact, already married at this point. His contemporary reputation as a womaniser did little to allay this possibility, and the secret marriage to Elizabeth only added to the doubts. Edward and Elizabeth were married for 19 years. Their relationship spanned a turbulent period, during which Edward lost and regained the throne, faced rebellion and was forced into exile. This meant that there were periods when the couple were separated, unsure whether or not they would see each other again. Edward also had mistresses, especially towards the end of his life, when he famously loved the company of Jane Shore. However, this was by no means unusual at the time, so would not necessarily have been a cause for conflict in the way that modern, post-Romantic sensibilities might anticipate. It was almost expected, for reasons of health and safety, that men would abstain from sleeping with their pregnant wives, but required sexual outlets elsewhere. Sex with other women would have been a diversion and a physical outlet, rather than an attempt to replace Elizabeth; it was advised by physicians as essential to health and might even have been welcomed by the queen later in life, or while she was indisposed. In spite of these issues, the marriage never appears to have foundered or weakened. Despite these difficulties and the opposition to their union, both were united in their desire to be together. Today, it is difficult to recover the intimate details of a private life that was not committed to letters or a diary. This, generally speaking, was true of all echelons of English Society, from the lowliest of the peasants right to the highest ranks of English Society. A Queen Consort was, by and large, expected to be submissive, a patron, a hostess, a diplomatic symbol and the bearer of legitimate children who could ensure the future stability of the paternal line of descent. In an England that had been at war with the French for over a hundred years, regularly engaging in clashes with the Scots and, latterly, a quite brutal civil war within England itself, the political focus was very much centred around the military might, or financial muscle, of men. This was a notion that had exceptions. Earlier in the Plantagenet families rule over England, Eleanor of Aquitaine had held considerable sway over both her husband and her two sons, Richard I and John, during their rule. For a long time, the Consort had been rather idealistic. The queens essentially did the job that was expected of them A very generalised statement but few caused significant issues. She was quite the opposite of this submissive and subservient consort. PhD Thesis, University of York. Royal materials: the object of queens in Late Medieval English romance. Thomas Hughes Blake Jr. University of Iowa. This section of the lesson makes use of a consequences chart. This chart identifies some of the key events and themes resulting from the marriage and begins to analyse the potential outcomes of each of these against areas of national importance. The chart could, therefore, be used as a route into exploring the complexities of the issues surrounding the marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, or a relatively quick revision exercise for students prior to the examination. In the short, to medium term, the marriage is far from ideal diplomatically. This is important as England retained a claim over the French Crown and whilst the French had effectively won the Hundred Years War, it was by no means certain that fighting would not resume. A marriage of diplomatic value could have either gained the English Crown a political or military advantage or offered a strategic marriage alliance against a hostile continental power. In simple terms, Elizabeth Woodville offered nothing in relation to this. Any new Queen Consort will have an impact on the COurt. They will have some trusted ladies in waiting, favourites and preferences for the way that the formalities of the court are fulfilled. When the Queen Consort is a foreign bride it was more often than not the case they would have a small entourage, host favoured ambassadors and make some adjustments to the decor. When the consort is English, it could mean a wholesale change in the personnel attending court. As noted above the rise of factions during the reign of Henry VI had posed problems. For Edward IV to maintain peace and ensure that the Yorkist line was established, he needed as stable a government as possible. He already had the Lancastrian faction either killed, exiled or reasonably subservient. He could ill afford for there to be a new faction emerge: yet, following changes in court, this is precisely what happened behind his back as Warwick and Clarence became increasingly disturbed by the rise of the Woodvilles. This culminated in Edward being placed under house arrest, then having to flee before returning to retake the crown. You need to log in which can be done using almost all UK Library card numbers. Elizabeth gave birth to ten children. Some chronicles of the period note that Edward had plans to marry his daughters for political and diplomatic gain on the continent: by the time of his death nothing had come of any of these ideas. Is the statement that there were no disputes accurate? What of the Kings closest family, were there any disputes there that the King would inevitably have become embroiled in, in some way. The manner in which Elizabeth acts as Queen Consort has a bearing on the way in which the court is run. On a simple level, her household budget and choice of staff will affect the mood of proceedings. As a de facto hostess, she can keep people relatively happy, make introductions, get people working together… or create factions.

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