Margaret Beaufort: Mother of the Tudor Dynasty (32 page)

4 Margaret’s First Widowhood: November 1456-January 1458

Leland 1744:74 describes Pembroke Castle. Margaret’s letter to Henry reminiscing about his birth is quoted from Wood 1846, vol II. The earlier letter of Margaret’s is from Halstead 1839:206-7. Griffiths and Thomas 1998:47 note that Henry was originally baptised Owen. Owen Tudor’s background is discussed in Griffiths and Thomas 1998:5. Jasper’s Will is from
Testamenta Vetusta
vol. II pp.430-1. Cooper 1874:11 records Henry’s commemoration of his father. Henry VII’s payments to his uncle, the younger Owen Tudor, are in
Extracts from the Privy Purse Expenses of King Henry the Seventh, from December 1491 to March 1505
(
Excerpta Historica
1831:119 and 128). The quotes from Fisher comparing Margaret to Martha are from p.109. The
Myrroure of Golde
, which was translated by Margaret, is printed as an appendix in Fisher. Parker’s account of Margaret offering to join a Crusade as a laundress is from BL Add. MSS. 12060. Stow 1842:176 notes that she founded an alms house at Westminster.

5 Third Marriage: 1458-1470

Jones and Underwood 1995:40 relate Margaret and Jasper’s visit to the Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham’s Will is in
Testamenta Vetusta
vol. II pp.296-7. WAM 5472 f.33 records that William Bailey was sent by Margaret to return books to the Duchess of Buckingham. Henry Stafford’s Will is from
Testamenta Vetusta
vol. II p.324. WAM 12181-90 contains Henry Stafford’s accounts from 1466 to 1471. F.61 details Margaret and Stafford’s journey to London from the Midlands, stopping at a number of places on the way. The same source details their move from Bourne to Woking, suggesting that, in the early years of their marriage, Bourne would have been their main residence. WAM 5472 f.45 notes that medicines for Henry Stafford were fetched from London. Seward 1995:134 suggests that Stafford suffered from ‘St Anthony’s Fire’. An example of Margaret and Stafford hunting can be found in WAM 5472 f.43. Griffiths 2004:804 notes the grant of Henry’s wardship to Jasper and the Earl of Shrewsbury. Warwick’s comments on Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou are quoted from Dockray 2000. A number of works detail the Wars of the Roses, and these are listed in the bibliography. York’s actions in claiming the throne are recorded in
Whethamstede’s Register
(Myers 1969:283-4). His actual claim is set out in a contemporary document printed in Dockray 2000:23. Neillands 1992:17 describes the attempts of Richard, Earl of Cambridge, to make Edmund Mortimer king. Henry VI’s comments recorded by John Blacman are from Dockray 2000:38. Griffiths and Thomas 1998:52 describe Jasper Tudor’s opposition to Edward IV following his usurpation of the crown. Henry’s comments to Philip de Comines are from p.538 of the chronicler’s work. Herbert’s Will is from
Testamenta Vetusta
vol. I p.305. Margaret and Stafford’s visit to Raglan can be seen in their accounts from WAM 12185 f.35-40. Hall’s description of the young Henry VII is from p.414. Milanese State Papers: Newsletter from London, 14 April 1461 (Dockray 1999:9) notes the jubilation on Edward’s accession.
Gregory’s Chronicle
(Dockray 1999:9-10) and Hearne’s
Fragment of an Old Chronicle
(Giles 1845:9-14) describe Edward’s attempts to be reconciled with Somerset and the duke’s defection. Seward 1995:131-3 records the grant to Margaret and Stafford of Woking and their lives there. WAM 12189 f.58 describes fresh fish purchased for Woking, for example. A purchase of hogsheads of white wine is recorded in WAM 5472 f.5. The record of Henry Stafford’s long gown of velvet is also from f.5. Margaret’s purchases of clothes are described in WAM 32407 f.13v. Margaret’s purchase of New Year’s gifts from a goldsmith is from the same source. Fisher p.113 describes Margaret’s asceticism. Jones and Underwood 1995:47 note that Margaret secured Henry’s admission to the Order of the Holy Trinity at Knaresbrough. The letter from John Paston is from vol. I p.389. WAM 5472 f.5 to f.5v details the visit to London during the parliament. The earlier visit to London, with Margaret’s visit to the Bishop of Chichester, is from WAM 5472 f.5v. Seward 1995:135 describes Edward’s visit to Woking. Margaret’s clothes for the visit are described in Jones and Underwood 1995:47. Edward IV’s collection of books is detailed in his Wardrobe Accounts (published in Nicolas 1830).

6 The Fall of the House of Lancaster: 1469-1471

There are two recent biographies of Elizabeth Woodville, which detail her marriage and life: Baldwin 2002 and Okerlund 2005. Her life is also detailed in Laynesmith 2004. The quote from Mancini is from p.61.
Annales Rerum Anglicarum,
in January 1465 (printed in Dockray 1999) records the marriage of John Woodville. Warwick and Clarence’s proclamation is from Dockray 1999. Jasper’s activities are in Griffiths and Thomas 1998:60-62.
Warkworth’s Chronicle
(Giles 1845:108) describes Henry VI’s capture. Corbet’s account of his rescue of the young Henry Tudor is from his petition to Henry VII (Owen and Blakeway 1822:248). Margaret and Stafford’s activities in trying to locate Henry and then secure his wardship are from WAM 5472 f.43-47. Margaret’s attempts to negotiate for Henry’s return are from Jones and Underwood 1995:49 and Seward 1995:173. Margaret of Anjou’s response to Warwick’s terms is contained in ‘Touching the manner of the treaty of marriage between the prince and the earl of Warwick’s second daughter, with the answer of Queen Margaret’ (Giles 1845:232). The quote on Henry VI’s release from
Warkworth’s Chronicle
is from Giles 1845:118.
Warkworth’s Chronicle
also describes Henry VI’s parliament following his restoration (p.121). Griffiths and Thomas 1998:69 describe Margaret’s reunion with Henry Tudor. The quote from Polydore Vergil on Henry Tudor’s meeting with Henry VI is from p.135. Seward 1995:175 describes the visit of Edmund Beaufort to Woking. Edward’s return to London is noted in ‘History of the Arrival of Edward IV in England, and the final recovery of his kingdoms from Henry VI, 1471’ (Giles 1845:56). Bernard Andreas’s Latin life of Henry VII describes Henry and Jasper’s flight from Tenby.

7 A Fourth Husband: 1471-1483

Details of Margaret’s fourth marriage can be found in Seward p.208-9 and Bagley 1985. The Act containing Margaret and Stanley’s marriage contract is from
Rotuli Parliamentorum
VI:312. Stanley’s Will is in
Testamenta Vetusta
vol. II:458. Domville 1899:70 suggests the rivalry between Gloucester and Stanley over Berwick. The quote from Comines on Henry’s arrival in Brittany is from p.538. Vergil’s comments on Henry’s imprisonment are from p.155. Griffiths and Thomas 1998:80 describe Louis XI’s attempts to obtain Jasper and Henry. Vergil’s comments on Edward’s fear of Henry Tudor are from p.159. Griffiths and Thomas 1998:85-8 and Jones and Underwood 1995:60-61 discuss Margaret’s negotiations with Edward IV for Henry’s return. The draft pardon is on the reverse of WAM 32378. The draft is very faint and water damaged and is made up of a brief five lines of text. The interpretation of this document has been taken from Jones and Underwood 1995.

8 Mother to the King’s Great Rebel & Traitor: April 1483-December 1483

Horrox 1995:103 describes Margaret as a kingmaker. The
Crowland Chronicle Continuations
described the council meeting after Edward IV’s death. Mancini records that Elizabeth and Dorset attempted to raise an army. Thomas More relates Elizabeth’s time in sanctuary. The quote from Comines on Edward’s supposed first marriage is from p.537. The fanciful description of Richard is by John Rous (Myers 1969:344). Richard’s actions following his brother’s death are discussed in great detail in Horrox 1999. Richard’s letter to the keeper of his wardrobe is printed in Halliwell 1848:153. Margaret’s clothes for the coronation can be seen from ‘Wardrobe Account, 1483’ (Jeffery 1807). The coronation is detailed in ‘An anonymous account of the coronation of Richard III’ (
Excerpta Historica
p.380-383). Stow 1615:460 records the plot to rescue the princes from the Tower. Jones and Underwood 1995:62 assert that Margaret was involved in the plot. Buck p.64 discusses Margaret’s treason against Richard III. The most detailed account of Buckingham’s rebellion and Margaret’s role is in
Hall’s Chronicle
. Buck’s comments on Margaret’s involvement in the conspiracy are from p.63-4. The attainders for many of Henry’s supporters in Buckingham’s rebellion survive, including ‘An Act for the Atteunder of the Bishop of Elye and others, 1483’ (
Rotuli Parliamentorum
V:250). The Act of Attainder against Margaret is on pp.250-1 of the same source. Bagley 1985:15 suggests Margaret spent her imprisonment at Lathom and Knowsley.

9 Bosworth Field: January 1484-August 1485

Henry Parker’s comments are from BL Add. MSS. 12060. Henry’s circular letter is from Halliwell 1848:161-2. Richard’s attempts to obtain Henry from Brittany are from
Hall’s Chronicle
p.402-3. Seward 1995:295 notes that Margaret warned Henry to flee Brittany. Richard’s assurance of his nieces’ safety is quoted from Nicolas 1830: xli. Hicks 2006 is the only biography of Anne Neville. Further details of her life can be found in Laynesmith 2004, Hicks 1991, Hicks 1992, Norton 2011 (forthcoming), Saul 2005 and Seward 1997. The
Crowland Chronicle Continuations
recounts the rumours surrounding the death of Anne Neville and Elizabeth of York’s conspicuous appearance at court. The letter cited by Buck is quoted from Nicolas 1830:xlv. Visser- Fuchs 1993 considers the possible marriage between Elizabeth of York and Richard. Further details of Elizabeth of York’s life can be found in her biographies: Harvey 1973, Nicolas 1830 and Okerlund 2009. The quote from the
Crowland Chronicle Continuations
on Elizabeth of York’s character is from p.500.
Hall’s Chronicle
p.410 notes Henry’s attempts to marry a Herbert. Richard’s denial that he planned to marry Elizabeth is quoted from Myers 1969:342-3. The
Ballad of Ladye Bessiye
is printed in Hales and Furnival 1868.
Hall’s Chronicle
p.410 records that Bray was collecting money for Henry’s mercenaries. Richard’s proclamation against Henry is printed in Giles 1845:279-280.
Hall’s Chronicle
p.411 notes Henry’s agreement with Charles VIII and his letters to supporters including Margaret when he landed in England. The
Ballad of Bosworth Ffeilde
is printed in Hales and Furnival 1968. The quote about Richard’s concerns about Margaret persuading Stanley to support Henry are from the
Crowland Chronicle Continuations
p.502.
Hall’s Chronicle
describes Henry’s landing and march towards the battlefield. The
Ballad of Bosworth Ffeilde
describes the meetings between Henry and the Stanleys.
Hall’s Chronicle
p.413 notes that Richard had bad dreams the night before Bosworth, and the
Crowland Chronicle Continuations
p.503 describe Richard’s disorganised camp. The
Ballad of Bosworth Ffeilde
describes Richard’s treatment of Lord Strange.
Hall’s Chronicle
and the
Crowland Chronicle Continuations
detail the battle. Jones 2002 analyses the battle.

10 The King’s Mother: August 1485-January 1486

Hall’s Chronicle
p.421 records Henry’s time in Leicester. Details of the grants made by Henry to his supporters are from Campbell 1873 vol. I. Edward Woodville’s grants are pp.6-7. The quote from the grant to Stanley is on pp.77-8. Details of the hangings from Richard III’s tent are recorded in ‘A schedule of such goods as shall be left at Woodhouse for heir loomes to be continued with the house and the estate’ (Millar 1986:123). The grant to Margaret concerning Ware is from 11 October 1485 (p.81). Henry Parker relates the visit Margaret received from the Duke of Buckingham in BL Add. MSS. 12060. The grant to John Welles is from 15 October 1485. Bacon’s comments on Henry’s three titles to the throne are from p.8. The red rose emblem and the Beaufort portcullis were particularly prominent in the decorations prepared for Henry’s coronation (listed in the accounts in Legg 1901). An example of the rehabilitation of Henry VI is an ‘Act for the Restitution of Henry VI’ (Campbell vol. I pp.120-1). The comments on England and London by an Italian visitor are from Andreas Franciscius to Jacobus Sansonus, 17 November 1497 (Williams 1967:188- 9). Henry’s purchases for his coronation are recorded in ‘Emptions and Provisions of stuff for the coronation of Henry VII’ (in Legg 1901). Small quantities of scarlet were purchased from a wide variety of sources, suggesting that it was necessary to seek out a number of suppliers. Henry’s privy purse expenses are from
Excerpta Historica
1831. The most complete biography of Henry VII is Chrimes 1999. The king is also discussed in Williams 1994, Rogers 1993 and Lockyer and Thrush 1997. The Act granting Margaret the status of a sole person is printed in a number of works, including Cooper 1874:30-1. Margaret’s vow of chastity is also quoted from Cooper 1874. Her vow of chastity is discussed in Cooper 1853. Routh 1924:77 describes Collyweston. Parker’s account of Margaret’s household is from BL Add. MS 12060. Details of the Orléans ransom and Margaret’s efforts to recover it are contained in Jones 1986. Henry’s letter to Margaret is printed in a large number of works, including Cooper 1874 pp.209-10. Henry’s French expedition in 1492 is discussed in Chrimes 1999:273-283. It is also noted in the
Chronicle of Calais
for 1492. Bacon p.215 claims that Margaret had little political influence. Ayala to Ferdinand and Isabella, 25 July 1498 (Pollard 1914:4) notes Margaret’s influence over Henry and Elizabeth of York’s disapproval of this.