The QUEENSHIP OF ELIZABETH OF YORK | first Tudor Queen of England | Women of the Wars of the Roses

In 1486 Elizabeth of York became the FIRST TUDOR QUEEN of England as the wife of Henry VII. It was a match made in dynastic heaven. It brought together the two warring branches of the Plantagenet family (the Yorks and the Lancasters) and effectively ended the Wars of the Roses. It also turned out to be a remarkable good marriage, with no rumours of affairs on either side (a true rarity for a medieval King) and the evolution of genuine love between the pair. In this documentary from History Calling I take you through the Queenship of Elizabeth of York, starting with the rumours that she was a pregnant royal bride. I’ll also look at her coronation, the children she had and her relationship with them (including Prince Arthur Tudor and the future Henry VIII), her bond with her husband and how she dealt with the pretenders to his throne, such as Perkin Warbeck who claimed to be her brother, Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York. I’ll consider the stories that she had a difficult relationship with her mother-in-law, Lady Margaret Beaufort and look at how she dealt with her daughter-in-law, the Spanish Princess Catherine of Aragon. Finally, I’ll tell you how she responded to the death of Prince Arthur and how his demise ultimately led to her own, less than a year later on 11 February 1503, her 37th birthday. Elizabeth was the daughter, sister, niece, wife, mother and grandmother of Kings, but in this video, she will take centre stage.
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[@HistoryCalling]

Do you think Elizabeth of York and Henry VII really loved each other? Let me know below and remember to check out my Patreon at www.patreon.com/historycalling and my Amazon storefront at www.amazon.com/shop/historycalling

[@anweshabiswas4813]

Yes , obviously they loved each other . Though they are from rival fractions of the same family . When Arthur died in 1502 , she comforted her husband , the king with soothing words . Later she was also comforted by the king . When she died in 1503 because of childbirth, the king was inconsolable and locked up himself in one room and allowed only her mother Margaret Beaufort to comfort him . King Richard iii and Henry vii both are devastated by their wife's death .

[@melissasheppard6674]

I believe they did 😊

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think it was one of those arranged marriages that turned into the real deal, which makes me happy for them.

[@Lionstar16]

I believe they did and I also have no doubt that their son Henry adored her - there's a illustration from a manuscript in the National Library of Wales that shows the eleven-year prince weeping into the sheets of his mother's empty bed while his father and sisters wear mourning robes. And the fact that Henry would name one of his daughters 'Elizabeth' is a sweet tribute

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh I know the picture you mean. I've used it on occasion. Yes, it is very sad.

[@naomiskilling1093]

I personally believe that Elizabeth and Henry did grow to love each other. I think the most telling facts are that Henry, despite being king, never took a mistress nor did he remarry when Elizabeth died despite living a further 7 years after her death. That, to me at least, speaks that he already found a woman that he was happy with and that when she died he didn't want anyone else. He was a king, his son took many mistresses over the years and married 6 times, but Henry VII did not.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I agree. It looks like it became a real love match. It's very different to how Henry VIII reacted when Jane Seymour died. There were feelers out for a new Queen almost immediately.

[@benjamintillema3572]

I think Elizabeth Woodville choosing to retire and live a humble life in an abbey makes perfect sense to me. I imagine a quiet, humble life of religious devotion would be welcome to someone who had experience so much tumult, tragedy, and scandal. Plus it was an abbey that kept her and her daughters safe from Richard III. She wasn't raised for life at court and the court represented everything that went wrong with her life.

[@silverjade10]

Totally. Burnout isn't a new phenomenon. Neither is the desire to sell all your crap and live off the grid to escape the grind of life. I can absolutely picture her thinking that she's paid her dues, her kids are safe and capable, and now it's time for her to get some peace and quiet.

[@HistoryCalling]

Personally, I hope that was the case too. I like to think it was her own decision.

[@monicacall7532]

From what I’ve read Elizabeth Woodville was a challenging mother-in-law and could be somewhat pushy. However, perhaps she was willing to bow out of the scene because she could see that Elizabeth was in a good marriage and that the kingdom was safe and stable.

[@MaryamofShomal]

This was my initial feeling too, well said 🫶🏽

[@missyme2673]

The great lengths that both Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort went to to make this union happen is utterly amazing. Despite their very strong differences, they soon realised that if they worked together to make the union of their children happen, it would end the horrific wars of the roses. Both Henry and Princess Elizabeth loved their mothers' dearly and I think recognised early on the benefits of their union. As a result of this, not only did they have many children together, but they both clearly respected and deeply loved one another. Henry was heartbroken when she died. My favourite part of our history! The things their mothers went through and sacrificed were remarkable! Thank you, HC, for this video. I absolutely loved it! ❤

[@Leah-xu2fd]

It is an amazing case study on women at the time and how they used what agency they had to not only survive but thrive, comparatively speaking.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Yes, their two mothers were really something else. Imagine what they could have done if they'd been men in that time period (mind you, Margaret Beaufort might well have been executed by Richard III if she'd been a man, so perhaps it's best that she wasn't)?

[@jasperhorace7147]

I always think of Elizabeth as a gentle soul - a keeper of the peace both with her husband and mother- in- law. Perhaps the ups and downs, the tragedies of her childhood meant she appreciated the relative even keel of life married to a strong man who won his crown by conquest and whose marriage had been arranged and approved by both mothers. I’m sure they grew to love each other relatively quickly. Decades of usurpations, battles, murders and treachery were deeply ingrained in the English nobility, many of whom saw controlling the king (especially a puppet king) as a means to greater power. Henry VII would have be very aware of this and clearly was not going to allow all his own struggles and final victory to be in vain. Thus he earned his reputation for being secretive and suspicious.

[@misskitty2710]

I’ve always loved the description of Henry and Elizabeth’s comforting of each other after Arthur’s death. There was so much death and sorrow for mothers in those days.

[@leticiagarcia9025]

I do believe in their own way that Henry and Elizabeth were in love. I admire Elizabeth’s resilience. Having an overbearing mother in law was quite challenging. She didn’t give up. Her duties as Queen were very important to her. When she lost her son Arthur she thought about her duty to provide a spare. Sadly she died on her birthday no less. Thank you for the history lesson. Enjoyed your video today.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I certainly think she had a strong sense of duty and that was what drove her into that final pregnancy. I doubt she and Henry VII were planning to have any more kids at that point, given that it had already been a few years since her previous pregnancy and Arthur and Prince Henry looked like they were going to grow up just fine and not die as children.

[@LenaFerrari]

As a native Portuguese speaker, I want to congratulate you on your pronunciation of the name Pedro (best non native pronunciation I've heard, near perfect) I don't think historians need to know how to pronounce every name in every language, that's unreasonable, but it's nice when they put the effort, and really nice when they pull it off ;)

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh wow. Thank you very much. That really does make me smile as I struggle with pronouncing foreign names and places and I know I get it wrong sometimes. I'm always checking pronunciation guides online.

[@delskioffskinov]

Could listen to that soft irish accent all day! always a joy.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you very much :-)

[@stephencarrillo5905]

❤ An amazing life and beautifully presented, HC! I do believe Henry and Elizabeth loved one another as he remained faithful to her and sources indicate they supported one another. Thanks for this. I needed a dose of HC to lift me up; our sweet schnauzer Lukas has left us. It's great knowing I can depend on your weekly visitations. 🙏🏼

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh, I'm so sorry. I know how awful it is when a family pet dies. Same thing happened to some friends of mine a few weeks ago and they were devastated. I'm sure you gave Lukas the best life though and that he was very lucky to have you as his humans.

[@stephencarrillo5905]

@@HistoryCalling 🙏🏼

[@chrisbanks6659]

Sorry to hear about your loss my friend. I too know how hard it hits. Am only just getting over Max's (cat) passing 2 years ago. I hope Lukas finds peace in the celestial kennel & that your misery is short-lived.

[@stephencarrillo5905]

@@chrisbanks6659 I deeply appreciate that, my friend. I'm sorry for your loss.

[@margo3367]

So sorry about your dog. My dog passed away last November and it cut me to the core. I know how much it hurts.

[@kazoolibra7322]

Loved this presentation and this queen....I think she completely accepted her marriage to Henry, as a woman of her background would. They definitely cared for each other.... whether that means "love" as we think of it today, we don't know, but, it was a "good" marriage. 😂❤

[@LaLayla99]

I agree

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think so too. It worked out probably as well as anyone could hope an arranged marriage would.

[@lyamainu]

I love this video so much. As one of Elizabeth’s many, MANY descendants, I hate what popular fiction has turned her into, and am grateful for this more true to life depiction of her. Henry and Elizabeth has always been one of my favorite love stories, and I wish there were a book that did it justice: opposing sides of a war, him always remaining faithful, their love for their children, and his absolute devastation at her death always seemed to me proof of a very happy marriage. The gap between pregnancies I attribute to his desire for her to fully recover from each birth - possibly due to his mother’s health problems looming large in his mind. And, of course, it did eventually kill her. Really wonderful content as always. Factual, interesting, sources cited, discussions of multiple theories without insisting you know the “truth”. Thank you so much!!

[@pablovivant9089]

Alison Weir's biography suggests that Elizabeth spent a fair amount of time at Eltham Palace with her children (other than Arthur-- so it's interesting that Henry was raised in close proximity to his sisters during early childhood). Hence it may not be far-fetched that she had a direct impact on her son Henry VIII's handwriting. Henry also remarked on his mother's death as one of the great traumas of his life. Overall, it sounds like Elizabeth was a genuinely kind person, who had good relationships during her queenship with her husband, mother-in-law, children, and sisters. Maybe general goodness is why she left a less distinct mark on history?

[@HistoryCalling]

She might have (had an impact on his handwriting I mean), but I just struggle to imagine the Queen of England playing tutor, especially for the length of time needed to teach a child to write. She'll just have had other things to do and Henry had his own tutors as well. Like you, I do think she was a good mother though and Henry VIII certainly had fond memories of her and (as you said) referred to hearing about her death as one of the worst moments of his life. Yes, I think the quieter, kind people often are less well remembered, which is a shame as those are the people we'd be better off learning about and modelling ourselves after.

[@maryloumawson6006]

One thing that is never mentioned is Henry VIII's apparent belief in "true love." He seems to have contrived the idea at some point that there was a perfect match out there somewhere for him, and was content to believe it was Catherine of Aragon for a time. I think this must have come from his being witness to his parent's marriage, and his belief that they were devoted to one another. His mother was a biddable and dutiful queen, who bore his father many children, and so their union, in Henry's estimation must have been blessed by God. So, yes, I believe they loved each other. Although we don't have any accounts of their ever meeting before Henry VII's vow to marry her, it is not impossible that they may have. Also, Margaret Beaufort was apparently able to write to her son during his exile, so it's possible that Elizabeth York could have also done so.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I agree completely. Henry VIII was after love, but I'm not sure (as his life went on) that he was really capable of giving it. He betrayed so many of the people he claimed to love, from wives to children to friends. It seems like nothing was ever good enough for him. He may well have been searching for what his parents had, though as his mother died when he was 11 I don't know how much of them as a couple he would have remembered. Still, he would have seen his father's grief so that would have hammered home the 'true love' narrative.

[@NCKrypotonite33]

I also believe it was Catherine of Aragon that he loved the most. Not saying he didn't love Ann or the rest but I think she came the closest to being loved by Henry

[@annmoore6678]

Thank you so much for taking us through such a thorough account of Elizabeth's life as Queen, setting aside the many, many speculative accounts (of which Gregory's is only one). I am guessing the marriage was deeply respectful. The Queen seems to have been a very compliant sort, and probably felt it was her duty to love her husband as much as she could, both from a religious sense of filial piety and from an awareness of her obligations as a royal princess.

[@happycommuter3523]

She might also just have been relieved to stay at home and be Queen of England than to be packed off to a foreign country to marry someone she didn’t even know.

[@HistoryCalling]

You're welcome. Yes, I think she had the sort of quiet, just deal with the hand you've been dealt kind of personality that she needed to get through the many ups and downs of her life. Catherine of Aragon often displayed the same attitude actually, until Henry VIII threatened their daughter's position.

[@loewenalia]

I really do think that Henry loved her. It might have been a slow love to form BUT it did form over time. He never had a mistress that we know of, he didn't remarry after her death and apparently he spent money on her when he was well known for watching pennies. It sounds like love in their own way. Thank you for such a great video.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I agree completely. A slow burn for sure, but definitely love by the end.

[@mbvoelker8448]

I've been watching your videos because I realized that, as an American, my knowledge of things Tudor was almost nil. The idea that arranged marriages can't be loving is a pet peeve of mine and the evidence you've presented strongly suggests that this marriage was strong because they both worked to make it so.

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh yes, they can certainly turn into love matches, there's no denying that. I don't think it started out that way for Henry and Elizabeth, but I agree that they most have both worked at it to turn it into love by the end.

[@Leah-xu2fd]

I know she would not be a lot of peoples picks of who to visit in a time machine, but she has been my first choice for about 15 years now. I first "met" her while reading a fictional book about her daughter. I can't remember the book now, honestly, but Elizabeth was the only character that made me want to look into more. I am super pleased that there is more information about her now. She is the most fascinating royal in history, followed closely by Matilda. What a fantastic video.

[@HistoryCalling]

I think she'd be a great dinner guest, assuming you could get her to spill the beans about her family. Yes, Matilda is very interesting too, though not so well known about.

[@kharris0465]

I loved walking around Westminster Abbey. Really brought English history to life being that close to the burial places of the royals. I must go back.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

Thanks as always HC 🌹 We know of Elizabeth's life and the events that occurred but we know next to nothing about the woman personally, what she thought etc. She wasn't a vocal figure or one who took the reins and got involved in matters, especially during her Queenship but she's still a fascinating figure. Because of this, its so easy to look at Elizabeth in a very brief discussion so thanks for giving Elizabeth some proper spotlight and analysis, for bringing her to life in not one but too videos! So many events and angles to look at, some people may not even consider 😊 A1 as always HC 🥇

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Shane. Yes, she is interesting to contemplate, but like you I agree that there isn't that much information about her own thoughts and feelings and that's certainly a shame. She's a bit of an enigma.

[@TrizzBizz]

My favorite, underrated, queen! She deserves a (better) mini-series!

[@HistoryCalling]

I totally agree. The White Princess didn't do her justice in my opinion.

[@hollyh314]

I'm watching the Starz Channel Series 'The White Princess' right now from 2017, which is about Elizabeth of York and her marriage to King Henry the 7th...it's fantastic even though they took some creative licensing throughout it. I'm so happy to see that you uploaded yet another episode about her!!! Your channel is The Best!!!❤😊❤

[@dominaevillae28]

@hollyh314 I think the White Queen and Red Queen are better productions🙂

[@terri6743]

Great video, as always! I always felt that Henry and Elizabeth loved each other very much. I’m sure they had their up and down moments, but compared to so many other royal marriages, I think they were quite fortunate to feel about one another as they seemed to do. RIP to Henry and Elizabeth.🪦💐

[@L.K.Rydens]

There is are two more options to why Elisabeth Woodville would've been sent to the Abbey. It is possible that she would want to believe that one of her sons was alive, and she might've tried to persuade Henry to bring him to the castle, refusing to accept that it was not her son. Having seen my grandmother lose her daughter (my aunt) through traumatic death and how it eroded everything she was, after Elisabeth had secured her living children's future and brought them all out of urgency and crisis, it's safe to say her sons would claim even more of her time and thoughts than before. It could also be why she would've gone to the abbey even if it was by choice. My grandmother fought to keep my aunt alive (my aunt was bipolar, just like I am) for my aunt's entire life, and once she lost her fight with her illness, my grandmother lost all purpose, and life became empty to her. She would see everyone else mostly to cater to our wishes, but she wasn't really there anymore. It was as if her soul went with my aunt, even if she still had another child alive. But my dad wasn't in mortal danger, so he didn't need her attention in the same way. Within a year she had 2 heart attacks, 1 stroke and developed dementia, and the dementia was as close to a choice as a person can make with such things. It's possible that the reason that Elisabeth Woodville went to the Abbey isn't as dramatic or out of the ordinary as so many other things during that time were, it's possible that it was just grief for a woman who lost so much. And knowing that she had physically put one of her sons in the hands of a close family member that would essentially kidnap and murder them both must've been unbelievably hard to bear. To me, it might be that she just stopped caring, just like my grandma did, and just like with my grandma when she went to an elderly person's home, she didn't care enough to bring anything with her ❤ The later option would also explain why Henry still seemed to trust her or at least consider marrying her to someone in power ❤️

[@HistoryCalling]

I'm so sorry to read about what happened to your aunt and Grandma. I can't imagine how tough that was on your whole family, especially your Dad. Yes, EW might have just had enough. She'd lost an enormous amount in a short space of time and perhaps she did just want a quiet life with her thoughts, prayers and memories.

[@L.K.Rydens]

@@HistoryCalling Thank you ❤️

[@user-ml5yw8tf8b]

I absolutely love this channel. Your commentary is thorough and intriguing. I am enamored by British royal history and look forward to your uploads each week. I cannot wait for a trip to London to cross off one of my bucket list items.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. Make sure (if you're able) you visit the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. They're probably two of the best locations to get a good shot of Plantagenet and Tudor history.

[@lianefehrle9921]

Out of all videos that are about her, yours is the one that made her story real to me. How you narrated it, I could picture them standing in front of me.

[@maryannpshock955]

I agree! The sense is always there that HC knows them well and does not merely regard them as names 💯

[@HistoryCalling]

Aww, thank you both. Yes that's true. I try to remember that they were real people and when I'm walking through historical places where I know they walked too, I try to imagine them there. I was just in Versailles for instance and tried to imagine Marie Antoinette walking through the rooms I know she used.

[@williethomas5116]

Please keep up the wonderful work. I love that you don't shy away from addressing the speculative questions we have always had that others are too afraid to touch. Particularly this episode and Dowager Queen Elizabeth Woodville's retirement. You give us the information and let us make up our own mind. Sometimes we just don't have enough information to know.

[@James-eh6mg]

Really interesting and thank god for sensible analysis about whether or not they slept together - sadly most of the speculation about this issue seems focused on the premise that Henry would have not gone through with the wedding had Elizabeth not conceived and shown she could carry children, which is plainly wrong. It also ignores the fact there were no pregnancy tests and if Henry were minded to wait for "evidence" before walking down the aisle, he may have had to wait several months which defeats the point entirely as he did marry her.

[@HistoryCalling]

Absolutely. Kings did not sleep with Princesses to see if they could get them pregnant before they married them. The only instance off the top of my head where I can think of a King marrying a pregnant bride was H8 marrying Anne Boleyn and she wasn't a Princess and may well have been the driving force behind them finally sleeping together. People are just swallowing Philippa Gregory's historical fiction about H7 and EoY whole unfortunately.

[@karabean]

I believe Elizabeth Woodville went to the abbey for spiritual reasons and took a vow of poverty, giving up what she had to her daughter and son in law. I'm saying this because I'm guessing she was probably disgusted/exhausted or otherwise tired of all the politics and fighting with money and power being central to al of that. I mean, what better, safer way is there to get far away from those two things?

[@HistoryCalling]

She might well have done so, yes. I wish we had some extra piece of evidence that would clear that little mystery up for us one way or the other though.

[@karabean]

@@HistoryCalling Yes sadly we don't know enough about the women in these times

[@simon112]

It seems that Henry and Elizabeth were well matched and the marriage was a loveing one. Superb as always HC.

[@lindasadler6338]

As usual, you bring up some very interesting points! The Tudors are such a fascinating family.

[@HistoryCalling]

They sure are. Even 400-500 years later, our obsession with them doesn't seem to be waning.

[@TabeaTomadini]

I really love Tudor history! I am curious about Margaret Poole. Would you consider making a video about her?

[@HistoryCalling]

She might just be on my list :-)

[@chrisbanks6659]

Is she related to Margaret Pole at all? 🤭

[@lukesguywalker]

I think they started from a place of duty and grew to genuine affection and love

[@HistoryCalling]

Same here. As I've said in other comments, it looks like a slow burn of a relationship.

[@catherinefrazier2478]

I’ve been hanging around KZbin waiting for notification for this video. As stellar as part one, may I say. I am distantly related to Elizabeth of York through her daughter Margaret- I am related to the First Earl of Moray (and the First Earl of Derby), through women that married into my paternal family.

[@Elizabeth-hc3mi]

That's so cool! I am too, but I can't remember how. I know it doesn't mean that much, but I still like to remember that I come from very brave ancestors.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. All my family are just very 'boring' unfortunately. Farmers and the like.

[@theresalaux5655]

I love it when your videos pop up. I know they will always be well researched! Thank you so much😊🎉❤xo

[@thoughtsofelizabeth]

I love your videos. I'm resting and was crocheting but i had to put it down to watch the video itself as the visuals you pair with your scripts are so lovely. I've learned so much about the wars of the roses from your videos. I hear the name John of Gaunt (sp?), in any video and i think "ah! Description of set up of wars of the roses!"

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you so much. I try to make the visuals as good as possible and sync them up with the words, though I know a lot of people actually like to just listen and not watch, so it's always nice to know that they are appreciated by others. Yes, that's the correct spelling for Gaunt. :-)

[@klindseyoneillstudio4016]

It certainly seems that they loved each other even though it wasn't necessary at the time. It was a happy bonus in lives so filled with tragedy.

[@vernon2542]

Yes I think they did love one another.. And I think that was proven with how grief stricken he was when both his son and wife pasted. How he comforted her when the prince pasted. I also think you gave pretty good reasons why people may have thought they didn't. (Hope I said that right). Thanks for the great video and looking forward to next weeks.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think it grew into love over time which is always very nice to see in these arranged marriages. Henry's grief when she died certainly seems to have been very real. Something very different for next week, but you'll have to wait and see! :-)

[@vernon2542]

@@HistoryCalling You have peaked my interest looking forward to it.

[@ns-wz1mx]

such a sad ending for Elizabeth, i never really made the connection that she died in the tower. excellent video HC you never disappoint!!

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I'd forgotten that too until researching this video actually.

[@ns-wz1mx]

@@HistoryCalling Very eerie for sure, couldn’t image what would’ve been going through her mind!

[@AprilBird4]

Just loved this video. Iam a casual/amateur historian & probably know this time frame best, so nothing was new or surprising, but I love how you present what went on, laying out the facts & presenting your opinion, but not trying to force fill the things we have no way of knowing for sure. I also find your voice & manner of storytelling very pleasant to listen to.

[@emmabrannan7438]

Another brilliant video ❤

[@edithengel2284]

Thanks for both of these videos--well done!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Edith. Glad you enjoyed them. Biography videos are always a bit of a slog to do, but I've been wanting to cross Elizabeth off my list for a couple of years now.

[@veronikav3126]

Oh, what an interesting subject! I was waiting for you to make a video about her! ❤😊 Thank you, History Calling ❤💐

[@HistoryCalling]

You're very welcome. Enjoy :-)

[@lfgifu296]

Been waiting for this one!!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you very much and enjoy. :-)

[@elizabethsands4470]

I love this woman, a truly beautiful, loyal and knowledgable Queen Concert ❤.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, she does seem to have been very good at the job. It's so sad that she died so young.

[@elisabethhopson5639]

Thank you HC for filling in a few gaps in my knowledge of this amazing Queen. Right up there with Margaret of Anjou. Well researched (as usual) and with wonderful empathy. I bet you are quite fond of her too. 😀

[@HistoryCalling]

I am indeed. I wish we knew more about her. She was at the centre of so much drama.

[@melissasheppard6674]

Watching now, thank you 😊

[@HistoryCalling]

You’re welcome 😊

[@morriganwitch]

It’s like a drama series xxx thank you

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you very much :-)

[@chrisbanks6659]

The first successful multi tasker. I will never get tired of learning new things about my 2nd favourite Tudor. Thanks HC. (Watching laterer!!)

[@HistoryCalling]

Remind who your number 1 Tudor is though?

[@chrisbanks6659]

@@HistoryCalling Scour the comment replies .... LOL

[@samuelparedes1748]

i was waiting for thisssss❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you :-)

[@lyndanickerson1373]

Thank you for your video

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you and enjoy. Thank you too for watching and commenting, especially right when the video is released as that's extra helpful.

[@nicolemaria913]

This was fantastic!

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you very much :-)

[@MichelleBruce-lo4oc]

Hi, awesome live history video. I enjoyed it. How are you doing? I'm doing well, and so is my cat Benjamin. We both enjoy watching your live history videos. In the next video in the future. Could you do Lettice she was a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth the first she lived a long life from the 16th century to the 17th century. Have a great day. See you next video 😀 how is the weather where you are? We have rain today in Ontario, Canada

[@HistoryCalling]

Rain here too. I'm glad to hear you and Benjamin are keeping well though. Hopefully I'll get to all the major Tudor figures eventually :-)

[@gabrielleschiavo9078]

Philippa Gregory is a menace to history!

[@HistoryCalling]

She does have quite an elastic relationship with historical facts sometimes, yes (which would be totally fine if she just admitted to how much of her work is fiction), but she has at least sparked an interest in history for many who might not otherwise have experienced it, so I suppose we have to be grateful for that.

[@stephencarrillo5905]

@@HistoryCalling Well said. I've never read her books as I've heard so much criticism of her. I seem to remember you read an excerpt from one of her books during a video and it was godawful. 🤮

[@AmynAL]

As always, so very well done! Thank you 🥰

[@johnslaughter5475]

Thank you. For living only 37 years in such tumultuous times, Elizabeth had a very full and meaningful one. Yes, I do believe they loved one another. I have just begun reading "The Mary Rose," about the finding, excavating, and raising of Henry VIII's prized ship which sank in the Solent on 19 July 1545. This is a tragedy that has been a wealth of information for us into the lives of ordinary people in Tudor times. King Charles III wrote the preface and he even dove on her. I just finished "The Angevin Empire." It is amazing how much of our current legal system, and much more, began with these 4 kings of England. A very good read.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think love grew there too. The books sound very interesting. I would tell you the titles of the four books I've read in the past 6 weeks or so, but it would give away a bunch of upcoming video titles, so I'll forbear :-)

[@elainerinne3468]

I believe Henry and Elizabeth loved, and respected, each other. Excellent presentation. Thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Elaine. I think so too :-)

[@missvidabom]

I’m always so moved by the women in the War. It brings me to tears that she and Henry wanted one last try for a baby only to die for it. I think of women in those days, wondering if the news of pregnancy was elation or fear that they’d never live to see their child or worse: that they’d outlive them. These women trying everything they could within their limited power to find their place and secure their children’s futures at all costs.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. It's such an unfair ending for a woman who'd endured so much. It makes me sad and angry too. Just as everything seemed to finally be working out for her (no more Pretenders, both her boys had made it through infancy and one was now married to a Spanish Princess), the rug was pulled out from under her in the most horrible way :-(

[@missvidabom]

@@HistoryCalling She looked around, finally having a moment of happiness and peace despite it all, then it was shattered.

[@helenorgarycrevonis2022]

Very good job! Thank you

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Helen :-)

[@Stevenmasonmommy]

Elizabeth of York is my favorite queen ever ❤ I think her and Henry Did I love each other And I'm so happy after all the sadness in her life And she had no choice who she was going to marry but she found love and comfort with Henry❤ Thank you for the videos ❤️

[@veryberry39]

The handwriting thing...my father never taught me anything, much less how to write. But our cursive is nearly *identical*. I'd never even seen examples of his old school writing until well after id learned how to write in cursive, so genetics would have been my first guess between Elizabeth and her son!

[@HistoryCalling]

Ah, but I wonder if you were just taught in the same sort of way? It's a fascinating subject actually. There are similarities between the way in which I form my letters and the way I see my friends write for instance, even though we went to different primary schools, but I think we were just being taught using the same sort of model. Mind you, I don't see many similarities between my mother and her sister's handwriting and they went to the same schools, at almost the same time and probably had the same teachers even, so maybe I'm reading too much into it all and it's all just a fluke?

[@rycoli]

❤ first to like 😊another great video. I think they loved each other.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think so too. Very unusual for a couple in an arranged marriage, but I'm happy it worked out so well for them.

[@pamsharpe60]

Thank you for an extremely interesting video! I’ve always been a bit sad about Arthur’s untimely death and wondered what English history would have been like if he had survived to reign as king.

[@HistoryCalling]

Ah, don't we all? Would he and Catherine have had a surviving son? Would he have been as bad as H8? The questions go on and on.

[@pamsharpe60]

@@HistoryCalling would we still be a Catholic country? Arthur and Katherine had no reason to change the whole country’s religion or dissolve the monasteries. If Henry never became king, without absolute power, he might have been less of an abhorrent man. Maybe…

[@oonaghmarguerite6752]

@pamsharpe60...my Daddy, always said "Blood shows... Bad Blood always shows.'' Henry VIII was just like many of the family who came before him. As long as he got what he wanted, when he wanted , he was fine. Till he wasn't. Then he caused a path of destruction until he got what he 'thought' he wanted. Until he didn't. As the clock of his life ticked down he became quicker to change his mind & quicker to kill. ''BAD BLOOD ''

[@tonibarrone854]

I think love grew vetween them over time. In the beginning, I think they where tired of all the chaos,fear,pain and loss they both suffered from.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think it was a slow burn too, but that it certainly seems to have turned into the real thing at some point.

[@shirleymarie2288]

To me the fact that he spaired no expenses for her funeral makes me think that they at least had a good relationship, whether they grew to love eachother nobody can really say but some of the his actions make it seem so.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, it was certainly unusual for him to spend like that and indicates a considerable depth of feeling for her, though I admit he will have motivated by the need to keep up appearances too.

[@shirleymarie2288]

@@HistoryCalling I thought that may also be a possible reason for the extravagant funeral but I wasn't entirely sure if it was typical for monarchs in that period to have such extravagant funerals for their deceased loved ones. I guess the romantic in me just wants to believe that even though it was a political marriage, they grew to love one another.

[@beastieber5028]

Good evening to history calling from Bea 🇬🇧

[@HistoryCalling]

Hi Bea. Hope you enjoy the second half of Elizabeth's story.

[@beastieber5028]

We​@@HistoryCallingyes I am enjoying the video

[@jonorr7984]

I really think they did. But it was not the fairy tale love we imagine. They relied on each other and for this time must be love.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I agree. It looks like more of a slow burn than an epic romance, but by the end I think Henry really loved her very much. His grief at her death looks very real to me.

[@aliceingoryland]

First KZbin video with my hearing aid!

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh wow. Well I hope everything sounded ok for you :-)

[@Victoriacariad]

I love the language of Tudor written sources ❤️

[@HistoryCalling]

Same here, but they can be tricky to read. :-)

[@Elteejay]

Awwwwww I thought I was first for once! Lol. The White Queen/Red Queen really opened my eyes to this part of British history.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, although I have to say that quite a lot of what is in those books is fiction, I also have to applaud the fact that they've brought a lot of people to history, which is of course always good.

[@Shane-Flanagan]

​@@HistoryCallingAgreed 💯 If there is one good thing from PG books is that they shed light on the women of the Wars of the Roses. You'd just hope the books peaked some people's interest enough to go on and check out the real history such as here 😊

[@dtchouros]

Thank you for this. For romance’s sake I want to believe they loved each other. She must have loved him to not have found a way to rid herself of her overbearing mil. I can vouch for that one.

[@HistoryCalling]

Uh oh. I hope your mother-in-law doesn't see this! ;-)

[@wendym215]

I really feel she did love him....great video @Historycalling

[@HistoryCalling]

Thanks Wendy. Yes, I think they ended up in love too.

[@Elizabeth-hc3mi]

I wonder if she was less active in politics because of the example of her mother and Margeret of Anjou? Elizabeth Woodville made enemies left and right, so when her husband died it was hard for her to garder support. Alot people supported Richard because they didn't want a boy with Woodville influence on the throne. Margeret of Anju may not have been that politically active, but people thought she was. It lead to similar problems. Both women lost their sons. Meanwhile, Elizabeth was universally loved. She kept her political veiws close to her chest so she could swing any way should anything happen to Henry. Also, if "The Most Pleasent Song of Lady Bessy" is to be believed, Elizabeth worked hard to bring Henry ro England, suggesting some political savy. Maybe she advised Henry in private, but thought it was better to play the rule of "Merciful Docile and Humble Queen" than the politically savy one. Henry closeness with his mother suggests he wasn't of the opinion that woman should stay out of poltics, so either he mistrusted her because she was Plantagenate, or it was her decision to take a back seat. Alternatively, maybe she was just so sick of political maneuvering by the time she got married that she was like "Nope, I'm done. I just want to chill now."

[@HistoryCalling]

I wonder too if she looked at those earlier examples and decided to take a different path. Whether it was a calculated choice or just a preference though, staying mostly out of politics worked well for her.

[@AnnaAnna-uc2ff]

Thank you.

[@HistoryCalling]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@jeffarmstrong1308]

The marriage was arranged as means to end the wars of the roses which it did successfully but I think it became a love match. As other commenters have said there were plenty of opportunities for Henry to take mistresses but never did. There are plenty examples of arranged marriages growing into true love matches and this is clearly one of those.

[@heatherwilson9717]

I think Henry and Elizabeth grew to love each other. I don't remember where I heard this, but supposedly, if you are birn and die on the same day, you fulfilled everything you were supposed to in life. I like to think that she did.

[@HistoryCalling]

I haven't heard that saying before. H8 died on H7's birthday if memory serves. I wonder what that means ... :-)

[@monicacall7532]

I have such respect for Elizabeth of York. She appears to have been a genuinely kind and gracious lady who tried to keep the peace at court and throughout England and who cared deeply about the welfare of her children and her extended family. I’m so glad that her husband Henry VII was faithful to her. What a shame that her 2nd son didn’t follow his father’s excellent example! I often wonder what Henry VII and Elizabeth of York would’ve thought if they’d been able to somehow see Henry’s turbulent life and reign and those reigns of their grandchildren Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. What do you think?

[@onagaali2024]

Henry VII knew marrying Elizabeth Of York was the best choice as far as two members from both houses joined.

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh absolutely. He couldn't have let her marry anyone else. It was either him, or a nunnery for her and all her sisters.

[@onagaali2024]

@@HistoryCalling Henry VII truly doesn't get the credit he's due for the strategic and careful King he was. He was easily overshadowed by the longer reigns of you already know the shenanigans of his son and the glorious reign of his granddaughter.

[@onagaali2024]

@@HistoryCalling he definitely needed a spouse to choose from who had strong blood tie to the recent monarch. What better way to strengthen the prestige of the throne than marry a daughter of the House of York.

[@antoniomoreira5921]

Not sure it's the right niche but if anyone's very much into Medieval English history I strongly recommend Schwerpunkt's videos series

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you very much :-)

[@aeroTnz]

Elizabeth Woodville suffered so much! The mother of the prince's in the tower

[@delia88209]

Happy Monday. I am watching Mary and George on Starz. Have you heard or have seen this series? I can’t wait for the Serpent Queen second season.

[@HistoryCalling]

I watched the first episode one night (on Sky though I think? I don't have Starz otherwise I wouldn't be so behind with Outlander) before bed and have been meaning to get back to it. Yes, I'd love to be able to watch the Serpent Queen too. Again, I have suffered from not having the correct TV channel. :-(

[@user-pk4ne1dx4k]

If Elizabeth Woodville had arthritis or some chronic illness. The Abbeys were the spa centres of the era. There she would receive around-the-clock care at minimal expense. A safe environment too being off the grid. The fact that Henry VII never took a mistress proves devotion, faithfulness, and companionship within the marriage of two strangers who learned to work together. If only Henry VII had such a strong character.

[@lukeallcock2]

Why do you think that King Henry VIII turned out the way he did when he had such an incredible mother in Elizabeth of York? His father only killed people when they threatened his throne or family so something must have happened to Henry for him to turn into the tyrant that he was.

[@HistoryCalling]

Well, I suppose he only had his mother until he was 11 and he was also handed close to absolute power at the age of 17 without ever having to work for it. I think that would corrupt a lot of people. He was actually a pretty decent guy (for 16th century royalty) until the late 1520s/early 1530s.

[@insulaarachnid]

There is an historical character whose name(sobriquet) fascinates me, Dangereuse de l'Isle Bouchard. I do not know if enough is known about her to do a video but if there is I would love to see one.

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh, I've never heard of her but that's a great name.

[@insulaarachnid]

@@HistoryCalling She was the maternal grandmother of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

[@edithengel2284]

Dangereuse, Viscomtesse de Châtellerault, was a woman who paid scant attention to social norms. She left her husband to become the mistress of her daughter's father-in-law--in other words, the maternal grandmother of Eleanor of Aquitaine became the mistress of her paternal grandfather, although at this time Eleanor's parents were not yet married. Eleanor's paternal grandmother, Philippa of Toulouse, attempted to oust the intruder to no avail, and retired to the convent of Fontrevault. Dangereuse and Eleanor's grandfather had three children who therefore were Eleanor's aunts and uncle on both sides. The irregular situation caused friction between Eleanor's father and grandfather, and was only resolved when Eleanor's father married Alienor, Dangereuse's daughter. Dangereuse was a nickname which it is thought the lady (who may have been christened Amauberge or Amalberge) won for her seductiveness.

[@BabsMcHugh550]

Yes, maybe not at the beginning, but I believe it became a love match. Thanks for the story HC

[@HistoryCalling]

Same here. It looks like a slow burn of a relationship to me.

[@Lori_Hanna]

I think they did truly loved and respected eachother.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think they ended up like that too, which is impressive for an arranged marriage.

[@DiddlyPenguin]

A very interesting episode they obviously had strong feelings towards each other Thanks I very much enjoyed it

[@HistoryCalling]

Thank you. Yes, I think it turned into a love match too, which is great for them of course.

[@nbryant8991]

Another great video. I have to say it bugs me that some people think Philippa Gregory is a historian.

[@HistoryCalling]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE VERY GENEROUS DONATION TO THE CHANNEL. Yes, it bugs me a little too, especially as (if Wikipedia is to be believed) her PhD is in 18th-century literature. That said, I've only just this minute discovered she has a PhD in anything, so I must make a mental note to refer to her as Dr and not Ms going forwards.

[@nbryant8991]

@@HistoryCalling I had no idea she had a PhD. That somehow makes it worse.

[@sarahkoch7694]

Their relationship must have developed into one of great mutual respect and trust. Considering Arthur's date of birth, it sounds as though they were not unattracted to each other. Based on what we know, I do suspect -- and certainly hope -- there was love.

[@WhitneyAllisonGG]

I believe that Henry VII really grew to love and respected Elizabeth of York. I also think the feeling was mutual and that Elizabeth of York was willing to endure another pregnancy to ease her husband grief. I believe Henru VIII was looking for a relationship similar to his parents in the beginning. That having so many mistresses was quest to find the perfect woman that he believed Elizabeth of York was. Probably that Catherine of Aragon was in love what she thought Arthur of Wales to be and married Henry out of duty.

[@tiffcat1100]

Excellent, as always. I believe French (& Latin for law & church) were the main languages at court, non? ❤

[@HistoryCalling]

That's an interesting question. Certainly a lot of people could speak them, but I'm not sure they were used on a day to day basis for just chatting to your friends, family and co-workers (except when talking to foreign ambassadors and the like). Henry VIII seems to have operated mostly in English and only used his other languages when necessary. His letters to Anne Boleyn in French for instance, seem to have been written in that language to show off to a woman who was practically a native speaker of it and to be extra romantic. It would be interesting to go back in a time machine and just listen to courtiers chatting to each other for a day or two and see what the language preferences were.

[@gothmamasylvia462]

They may not have been in love when they married, but they apparently grew into love with each other.

[@HistoryCalling]

Yes, I think so too. I think that was reasonably unusual for an arranged match, but good for them.

[@emilybarclay8831]

Is it so hard to believe that Elizabeth Woodville had a bit of a revival and decided to spend the last of her years in penitence and (relative) poverty in a convent? It was hardly an uncommon thing. She had suffered so much while in power, perhaps she yearned for the simpler life of her youth. To retire to a convent to pray for the souls and lives of her daughter and grandchildren would have been a perfectly normal and respectable thing to do

[@beth7935]

That's my theory too.

[@deborahbrottmiller2948]

Can you imagine how appalled Henry would be at the type of king his son turned out to be? I should say also the kind of person Henry was. I’m no historian but I’ve never read or heard of anything he did to actually help his people. He threw his country into religious chaos just so he could marry Ann leaving poor and sick people without the monks to help. He never gave a thought for an alternative for the peoples’ care. That bothers me the most about him. Aside from the early “golden” years of his reign, his known generosity with his favorites and his many talents, I believe he was a terrible king. He was also callous, cruel and spoiled rotten. At least his father was a brave man who had his faults but was a sound king who was also faithful to his wife. There I’ve said it all now. 🌻

[@littlemiss_76]

Yeah you're right we hear about her son and grandchildren but Elizabeth seems to be a side note in history. She was a fascinating person and loved her children.

[@HistoryCalling]

I know. It's a great pity given how central she was to so many events.

[@doggyteabreaks9362]

It seems like Henry VII and Elizabeth of York both grew to genuine love each other, they were a true partnership who were faithful & loyal to each other, & she was 100% Team Henry in regard to him being the rightful English monarch. Remember reading somewhere that as King, Henry Tudor owed everything to Elizabeth of York, as she was the one who showed him how to be a Royal. From what is written about her, she did not involve herself in the Games of Thrones power struggles of her relatives & she also doesn't come across as being a power hungry, scheming plotter either. imo there are some parallels to Jane Seymour & Anne of Cleves in that she survived & rode out the storms around her by accepting her own fate & the fate of those around her, instead of going into figurative battles or fighting with them (like Anne Boleyn).

[@emilybarclay8831]

Henry VII is one of the few English kings with no known mistresses and no known illegitimate children born during his marriage. The description of what happened when Arthur dies proved to me that those two loved eachother. Henry was told of the death, and called for his wife so he himself could inform her. Then they sent the servants away so that they could grieve together in private. Elizabeth told her husband not to grieve too much as he was his mother’s only child and his health was the most important thing. When she broke down upon returning to her own chambers, the king rushed to comfort her. Her death in childbirth truly destroyed Henry, they were truly a love match by the end

[@FireVixen164]

I always thought Elizabeth Woodville's retirement was a kind gesture of support for her daughter and son in law. They needed money, which Elizabeth was costing, and they didn't need a Queen's mother. Henry VII already had Margaret Beaufort

[@raumaanking]

History calling firstly I wanted to say great video curious question basically I have made a video of me singing and I posted it on KZbin I am just curious if you include an image from Google as a thumbnail nothing else is that okay or could it end up as copyright because it’s just a video of me singing Singin in the rain and on the thumbnail it has an image of Gene Kelly and nothing else do you think that’s okay and I have edited it a bit thanks

[@HistoryCalling]

Oh I don't know I'm afraid. You'd need to ask KZbin support.

[@williethomas5116]

If I may ask if you have any sources primary or otherwise as to how Thomas Grey Marquess of Dorset in regards to the pretender Perkin Warbeck. He was 18 when his brother was born and was briefly part of his household. He would have known him better than anyone at least anyone alive or equally to the Queen but no one could challenge his motives. He owed Henry the return of his land and title and if Perkin's claims were true he would benefit from being the King's brother-in-law to the King's brother.

[@nancyevans3590]

Elizabeth Woodville would have never allied herself with Henry Tudor if she had any sort of belief that either of her sons were alive. She would have never required Richard III to swear a public oath not to harm her daughters before she handed them over to him if she didn’t know who was responsible for her son’s deaths. If her sons had been killed by someone else or died of natural causes Richard would have given them funerals and allowed the bodies to be examined and properly interred. His whole conduct over the matter screams guilty. I feel like the reason she retired from public life is that she was unwilling to give Margaret Beaufort precedence and probably just wanted a chance to properly mourn the murder of her 3 sons and have masses said for them etc. maybe it was a fulfillment of an oath she made to God in exchange for vengeance for Richard the 3rd. I also can’t imagine her daughter agreeing to marry the murder of her brothers. Why do people keep insisting he wasn’t responsible. He was king he is the only person who could give access to anyone to even visit the princes. He knew as long as they were alive his power grab would never be secure. Motive and opportunity, although I’m sure he had someone else actually commit the murder.

[@edithengel2284]

Actually, it's rather surprising to me that neither Richard nor Henry exhibited the bodies, or stated where the princes were if living, for whatever reasons. More surprising in Richard, really: Richard, to illustrate his probable contention that, if dead, they died non-violently, thus consolidating his position; and Henry, to prove that they were both dead in order to rid himself of pretenders. One could say Richard didn't do it because they were still alive, but in that case, why not demonstrate that they were? Henry might have failed to do so, in spite of Tyrell's "confession," because he didn't know where the bodies were. A conundrum.

[@ewanmaxwell3267]

Was it James IV that Henry considered marring Elizabeth Woodville too? I thought it was James III. I know it’s a double standard but James IV would have still been a child at this point and his father the king was a widow following the death of Margaret of Denmark, so that feels more of a natural fit.

[@ladyagnes9430]

As I've said before I have been so interested in her since I found out we share a birthday. I do think her mother Elizabeth Woodville was kind of pushed aside a little bit by Margaret Beaufort since Elizabeth Woodville was a former Queen and Margaret Beaufort was not but was trying to be the main or the second Lady of the land as my lady the Queen's mother so I think she may have sort of pushed to get the former Queen into the Abbey and out of the Limelight . I do believe from everything I've read that Elizabeth and Henry really loved each other and his grief after she died showed kind of what he how he felt it was very unnatural at that point for a king to not have a mistress and to not remarry after his wife died while if he was still young