Elizabeth of York had many connections to the King. She was the eldest child of Edward IV and sister of Edward V.
It was after an alliance made between her mother, Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV and Queen Consort, and Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry Tudor (later Henry VII). Henry had a very tenuous claim on the throne, but once he had claimed it, then he would marry Elizabeth and the Tudor and York's would be united. Elizabeth was used as a political pawn to bring peace between the Yorks and the Tudors.
Henry's army landed in Wales and fought at the Battle of Bosworth Field. After Richard III died during the battle, Henry took the Crown. He then married Elizabeth, as then there would not be an uprising from the Yorks. He was crowned on 30 October 1485 - after claiming the throne by conquest - and married Elizabeth on 18 January 1486 at Westminster Abbey. Elizabeth was crowned Queen Consort on 25 November 1487 - even though the throne was rightly hers after her father, brothers and uncle's deaths.
After the marriage, the War of the Roses were over and England became a peaceful nation once again.
Henry reigned from 1485 until his death in 1509. He was responsible for the magnificent chapel at Westminster, but had few friends at Court.
Elizabeth of York was twenty when Henry took the crown at Bosworth. Their union sealed the end of the War of the Roses. Henry VIII was their second son.
Henry VII and Elizabeth on a mediaeval manuscript.
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The pIantagenets
Henry III had a long reign, succeeding King John in 1216 and dying in 1272. He was dominated by his wife and her relations, spending much money on expeditions to France and church building, including the Abbey at Westminster.
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