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Elizabeth of York grew up in a particularly unstable time in English history: the War of the Roses. As a princess (and sometimes heir) of one faction of the war, life became particularly dangerous when the opponents came into power. (I would love to say that there were only two sides, but since Elizabeth’s uncle is suspected of murdering her younger brothers, it is clear that there were no sides. Just assholes trying to grab as much power as possible.) During these dangerous moments, Elizabeth’s mother packed up their family and fled to sanctuary twice throughout her life.
What the Fuck is Sanctuary?
In the medieval era, Church Law and Civic Law were two separate entities that held equal power and sway over the legal system in England. For example, Church officials had to be tried through the Church and using the laws of the Catholic Church, rather than the laws of the land or Civic Law. Sanctuary was another area where Church Law and Civic Law clashed. As churches were considered outside of the law of the land, anyone who was charged for any crime could go to a church and claim sanctuary. They would then live in the church and not be able to leave. If they left, they risked by arrested by the authorities. So it was basically a very long sleepover at church, where if you left, you would be arrested. (Sounds fun, right? Not!)
The Yorks in Sanctuary: Part 1
The first time Elizabeth was forced into sanctuary was when she was only four years old. Her father, Edward IV, was forced to flee to Burgundy when Warwick and George of Gloucester staged a coup and placed Henry VI back on the throne. Henry VI was so mentally unstable at this point that he was little more than a puppet for Warwick. Elizabeth and her family remained in sanctuary in Westminster Abbey until Edward IV took back the throne.
Westminster Abbey was basically right down the road from their enemies and the royal family had no military protection. During these months, their continued safety was at the whims of two men who hated them; Warwick and George of Gloucester. In fact, Warwick was directly responsible for the execution of Elizabeth’s grandfather and uncle on her mother’s side in his first rebellion. (This “trial” and execution was very sketchy legally and frankly was done out of spite.) Despite being in sanctuary, Elizabeth and her family’s lives were at risk every day that Warwick remained in power.
At only four years old, it is unlikely that Elizabeth understood what was going on; however, that does not mean that she was totally oblivious. Her world had changed overnight, and her beloved father was no where in sight (because he literally abandoned them in enemy territory! Who the fuck does that to their wife and kids?) Her mother was very pregnant and gave birth in the Abbey. All around, this was a traumatizing experience for Elizabeth, who, up until this point, had lived a relatively sheltered life.
The Yorks in Sanctuary: Part 2
Once Edward IV regained the throne, the realm, and the royal family, lived in relative peace for the next 13 years. It was only upon Edward IV’s death that Elizabeth and her immediate family were forced back into sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. This time, there is no doubt that Elizabeth knew what was happening. Her family was literally tearing each other apart and there seemed to be no end in sight. All their allies had abandoned them, and it was clear that they were on their own. Soon, the former princes and princesses of England were declared illegitimate, and Elizabeth’s brothers were missing, presumed dead (at the hands of Dear Old Uncle Dick).
If Elizabeth’s first round in sanctuary had been traumatizing, this one was emotionally catastrophic. In rapid succession, Elizabeth lost her father, her freedom, her brothers, and her inheritance. While the first three must have been soul-crushing, the fourth likely made her situation seem hopeless. (I can feel the rage from here. Before you rip me a new one, let me explain.)
As a royal woman in the Medieval Era, Elizabeth knew that her role was to marry and produce heirs. She learned through her parents’ marriage that power and protection come through marrying well. Clearly, her father brought the power to the marriage (Exhibit I. Sanctuary Part 1. Exhibit 2. Sanctuary Part 2. Exhibit 3. Waaaay too many murdered family members. I rest my case). To protect herself and her remaining family, Elizabeth needed to marry a powerful man. That became much harder when she was declared illegitimate and lost most of her inheritance.
Elizabeth’s Stints in Sanctuary Shaped the Queen She Became
There is no way that Elizabeth’s times in sanctuary did not affect her. We can see it in the way she lived the rest of her life. Elizabeth’s priority was the safety of her family above all else. She may not have had a significant role in politics, but she ensured that her sisters were taken care of and that her children’s marriages were politically sound and relatively safe. Due to the trauma that she experienced, in all likelihood, she was not power hungry, like many of her family members were. She wanted power and money to protect and take care of her family. She did not need anything else.
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Sources
| Author | Source Name |
| Alison Weir | The War of the Roses. |
| Alison Weir | Elizabeth of York: A Tudor and Her World. |
| Dan Jones | The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors. |
| Lisa Hilton | Queens Consort: England’s Medieval Queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York. |
| Sarah Gristwood | Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the War of the Roses. |
| Roland Hui | The Turbulent Crown: The Story of the Tudor Queens. |
| Leanda de Lisle | Tudor: Passion. Manipulation. Murder. The Story of England’s Most Notorious Family. |