Category: The War of the Roses

Posted on

The Villain of Catherine of Valois’s Story

Image by 3959267 from Pixabay

Disclaimer: The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

For more information about the Hundred Years War, read this blog post “The Hundred Years War: The Gift That Keeps Giving”.

For a brief overview of Catherine of Valois, read my previous blog post “Catherine of Valois: The KISS Edition”.

Waaaayyy Too Many Villians…

There are many candidates for who played the most villainy role in Catherine of Valois’s life. Her father, the Mad King, could be considered (due to his violent outbursts), as could her husband, Henry V, for 1) taking her brother’s birthright and fighting a war against him or 2) not giving her a prominent role in court after his death. (I mean, he did arrange for pretty much everything else). It might be her mother, who was hated by pretty much everyone (although, probably unfairly). These, of course, are some of the most well-known historical figures in her life. The REAL villain, however, is… (drumroll, please)… HUMPHREY, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER.

Attributed to Jacques Le Boucq, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

The Giant Turd

Humphrey was, to put it nicely, a turd. He married his first wife, Jacqueline of Hainaut, for her inheritance (which to be fair was normal for the time). BUT, then he had a very public affair with one of Jacqueline’s ladies in waiting, Eleanor Cobham, dumped his wife once it was clear that he was not going to get a piece of her inheritance and married Eleanor. He was so disliked that Eleanor was accused of witchcraft by his enemies (literally everyone) just to take a shot at him. And the king (his nephew) went along with it because… (shocker)… he hated Humphrey, too. John of Bedford, his own brother, did not trust him with the role that Henry V gave to him on his death bed (Protector of the Realm) so he manipulated it so that Humphrey could not make any big decisions without John or the rest of Parliament.

Inexplicable Grudge Against Catherine

Aside from his general dickishness, he was especially vindictive towards Catherine. No one entirely knows why. Maybe it was because she sided with Jacqueline in the messy annulment. Maybe it was because she was French. Or, maybe it was because she was an easy target. It was likely a mixture of all three. Either way, once her son, Henry VI, became more involved with politics and was removed from her household, Humphrey went out of his way to make her life difficult. He ensured that she was unable to remarry during her courtship with Edmund Beaufort and made court unbearable by spreading vicious rumors about her. No one was surprised when she quietly retired from court.

It was expected that she would have retired to nunnery or into a quiet life on her estates, but Catherine had a different plan (because she was a badass). She left public life to marry Owen Tudor and live a quiet life with him and their children on her estates. And, she did… for a few years, at least. But, once Humphrey discovered what she had done, he had her arrested while she was very pregnant with her final child. Catherine died soon after her arrest, giving birth to her only daughter. Her last act was to create a will, begging her son to protect her husband and children. Many at the time, including Henry VI, blamed Humphrey for Catherine’s death, given his cruel treatment of her during the last months of her pregnancy (which was a very very dangerous time for a woman).

Humphrey, however, was not satisfied with basically hounding Catherine to death. Behind the king’s back, after Catherine passed, Humphrey had Owen Tudor arrested and jailed in the worst English prison. Owen was only released when Henry VI discovered his uncle’s deceit and freed him.

Too Little, Too Late

Out of all of the things that Humphrey did during his life, arresting Catherine and Owen was likely his downfall. Henry VI blamed him solely for the death of his mother and his treatment of his stepfather was just the icing on the cake. While he did not move against Humphrey until later, Humphrey lost much of his power and influence. The grudge against Humphrey ensured that when there were mere rumors that Humphrey’s wife Eleanor was using witchcraft to assassinate the king, Henry VI believed them and took quit action to exile Eleanor and remove all power from Humphrey.

Disclaimer: Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there.

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: The Snarky History Nerd Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This means that we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you.

Sources:

AuthorSource Name
Alison WeirThe War of the Roses. 
Mary McGrigorThe Sister Queens: Isabella & Catherine de Valois
Dan JonesThe War of the Roses:
The Fall of the Plantagenets
and the Rise of the Tudors. 
Lisa HiltonQueens Consort:
England’s Medieval Queens
from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York.
Erin LawlessForgotten Royal Women: The King and I
Dan JonesThe Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens
Who Made England

Subscribe to the Snarky History Nerd Blog Email List

Posted on

Propaganda in Medieval England: Catherine of Valois

Disclaimer: The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general suary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

For a brief overview of Catherine of Valois, read my previous blog post “Catherine of Valois: The KISS Edition” by clicking here.

The Bright Shiny New Queen

At the time of her marriage, Catherine of Valois was one of the most valuable women in the western world for two very specific reasons.

  1. She was her mother’s 11th child (which, honestly, that poor woman. So many babies and no painkillers!!!!) Generally, a woman whose mother gave birth to multiple children and lived was ideal for a Queen. The rate of women dying in childbirth was extremely high. Plus, having children (aka sons because they are all sexist assholes) was critical to a dynasty’s survival.
  2. Her dowry was literally France. Like the whole fucking country. (Mic drop).

Arriving to England as the Queen Consort to Henry V, Catherine was seen as the ideal queen. Attractive, fertile, and France. A triple threat. The golden princess of France. Her presence alone affirmed the English claim to the French throne. It was used in the English propaganda to justify the war in France.

engraved by W. H. Mote (1803-1871) after an illustration by J.W. Wright, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

The Widow Who Gave England France

After Henry V died, her image lost its shine. She was no longer the golden French princess who married their king; she was simply a representation of their claim to France. Still useful for propaganda but not for much else (which is so messed up). So they treated her like she was fine china. They used her when they needed to impress but put her back in the cupboard and forgot about her afterwards.

The Regency Council needed Catherine and her image (as much as they hated that they did). She had to remain the Dowager Queen who brought France as her dowry. To be anything else would be a political disaster. So when Edmund Beaufort (her late husband’s cousin, which is gross. So gross.) began to court her, the Council lost their shit. They immediately created a law specifically to prevent her from marrying again. If Catherine married again, it would muddle the image that they needed for their propaganda.

“Mrs. Tudor”

When she snuck behind their backs and married Owen Tudor, that image shattered. It was incredibly scandalous, not to mention illegal (which is sooo fucked up). She became more associated with the scandal than her link to France. The Regency Council just pretty much wanted her to go away. So she did. She spent the majority of the rest of her life living with her husband and children on her dower estates. Doing what she wanted instead of what everyone else wanted her to do.

Her Legacy

From the get-go, Catherine was used for propaganda. While Henry V needed her to produce heirs, he needed her connection to France more. Even after he was gone, the only value that was placed on her by her contemporaries was France. Marrying a woman for heirs and a dowery was common in the Medieval Ages. Catherine’s situation, in many ways, is extreme. Her marriage was supposed to end a war that had been raging for a hundred years over France. The significance of her marriage actually lasted longer than her marriage and cost her much of her freedom.

Truthfully, much about her story and legacy (aside from the Tudor stuff) is depressing. Especially from a 21st century feminist perspective. My heart breaks for her in many ways but fills with joy in others. Her story is the story of small wins. She was a celebrated queen of England. She was able to have a hand in raising her son. She defied the powerful men of the time and married for a second time. It is important to look past the image that she was used for and see her for her resiliency.

Disclaimer: Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there.

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: The Snarky History Nerd Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This means that we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you.

Sources:

AuthorSource NameLinks Per Type
Alison WeirThe War of the Roses. 
Kindle Edition

Audible Edition

Paperback Edition
Mary McGrigorThe Sister Queens: Isabella & Catherine de Valois
Kindle Edition

Paperback Edition

Hardcover Edition
Dan JonesThe War of the Roses:
The Fall of the Plantagenets
and the Rise of the Tudors. 
Kindle Edition

Audible Edition

Hardcover Edition

Paperback Edition
Lisa HiltonQueens Consort:
England’s Medieval Queens
from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York.
Kindle Edition

Paperback Edition
Erin LawlessForgotten Royal Women: The King and I
Kindle Edition

Paperback Edition
Dan JonesThe Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens
Who Made England
Kindle Edition

Audible Edition

Paperback Edition

Hardcover Edition

Subscribe to the Snarky History Nerd Blog Email List

Posted on

Catherine of Valois: The KISS Edition

Image Attribution: engraved by W. H. Mote (1803-1871) after an illustration by J.W. Wright, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

Disclaimer: The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

For the month of April 2022, we are going to be focusing on the spectacular Catherine of Valois (daughter of the French Mad King, mother of the English Mad King, and grandmother to the most famous English dynasty ever AKA the Tudors). We are starting out with the traditional KISS Edition (Keep It Simple Stupid) so that we are all on the same page as we explore the world of Catherine of Valois.

For a review of the Hundred Years War, use this link to read my blog post “Hundred Years War: The Gift That Keeps On Giving”.

For more information about the War of the Roses, use this link to read my blog post “The War of the Roses: The KISS Edition”.

Baby French Princess

Growing up as a French princess may seem like a dream come true, but for Catherine of Valois, it was, in many ways, a living nightmare. France, to put it simply, was a hot mess. There was a civil war between the Burgundians and the Armangacs. England took advantage of the chaos and restarted the Hundred Years War. On top of all of this, her father, Charles VI, suffered from bouts of insanity, which not only made him extremely violent but also unable to consistently rule France. Isabeau of Bavaria, her mother, ended up having to step in and rule as his regent. She was (un-fucking-fairly) blamed for all of the chaos and suffering (which was actually the fault of power hungry men like Henry V and John the Fearless of Burgundy). She joined Marie Antoinette, and Catherine de’ Medici as one of the worst Queens of France in history.

The Shining New Queen of England

Probably the only normal thing about Catherine’s early life was that her marriage was a political move. A desperate political that completely backfired in every way, but a political move none the less. In an effort to end the Hundred Years War, Charles VI signed the Treaty of Troyes, which named Henry V of England as his heir once he married Catherine of Valois. His enemies claimed that Charles VI and Isabeau essentially sold off France and their daughter (conveniently forgetting the destruction that the English was raining down on the French countryside).

Of course, the English loved it and celebrated their new queen for the simple fact that she brought France as her dowry. It definitely helped that she got pregnant almost immediately, and the future looked bright for the new Queen of England; however, within two years, that future was in ashes at her feet.

Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Suspicious Queen Mother

Henry V died suddenly from dysentery (diarrhea that will literally kill you), leaving his only son, Henry VI, as the new king of England before his first birthday. The same people who looked at Catherine with reverence now looked at her with suspicion. Their heroic king was dead. Catherine was a French princess and could not be trusted. Any power that she had was gone in an instant.

Henry V’s brothers essentially ran the country until Henry VI was old enough to rule on his own. Catherine was allowed to raise Henry VI while he was young, but he was soon put in the care of tutors to help prepare him to rule England (without Catherine’s nasty French influence). For the most part, Catherine was left to her own devices, as long as she did not make any waves.

The Rebel Wife

So naturally, Catherine made waves. For the most part, Catherine was the consummate Queen Mother, but she wanted to be more. She was raised to be a wife and mother and she was barely given the chance to be either. So, she began a courtship with Edmund Beaufort. Because her brothers-in-law were control freaks and jackasses, they passed an act that essentially declared that she could not marry without permission from the king; otherwise, her husband would lose his lands. At this point, Henry VI was still too young to give his permission, which effectively cock-blocked her.

Edmund Beaufort decided that he had too much to lose to risk marrying Catherine, so once again, she was alone. She then set her eyes on Owen Tudor, a Welsh knight with nothing to lose. They married in secret, basically giving the regency council the middle finger. While she was slapped on the wrist, she was essentially able to live a happy life with Tudor. She had three children with him before she died. Her descendants would create the infamous Tudor dynasty.

Catherine of Valois took her own happiness into her own hands and effectively changed the course of history in the process, embodying the spirit of an absolute badass.

Disclaimer: Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there.

Affiliate Link Disclaimer: The Snarky History Nerd Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This means that we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you.

Sources

AuthorSource NameLinks Per Type
Alison WeirThe War of the Roses. 
Kindle Edition

Audible Edition

Paperback Edition
Mary McGrigorThe Sister Queens: Isabella & Catherine de Valois
Kindle Edition

Paperback Edition

Hardcover Edition
Dan JonesThe War of the Roses:
The Fall of the Plantagenets
and the Rise of the Tudors. 
Kindle Edition

Audible Edition

Hardcover Edition

Paperback Edition
Lisa HiltonQueens Consort:
England’s Medieval Queens
from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York.
Kindle Edition

Paperback Edition
Erin LawlessForgotten Royal Women: The King and I
Kindle Edition

Paperback Edition
Dan JonesThe Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens
Who Made England
Kindle Edition

Audible Edition

Paperback Edition

Hardcover Edition

Subscribe to the Snarky History Nerd Blog Email List

Posted on

Top 10 Kickass Women of the War of the Roses: Part 2

Disclaimer: The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. 

This week, we are continuing our count down of the top 10 kickass women in the War of the Roses by tackling numbers 1-5.  

If you want to recap numbers 6-10, you can find that post by clicking this link. Click Here 

If you need a refresher on “The War of the Roses: The KISS Edition”, you can find that post through this link. Click Here 

5. Jacquetta of Luxembourg 

Izabela Fioror, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

Jacquetta of Luxembourg is a fascinating woman to study as her story embodies pieces of the other women on this list’s story. She married into the English royal family in her first marriage and despite Henry VI/the Regency’s decree that she could not marry again without permission, she married a knight for love (like Catherine of Valois). At one point, she was the wife to the heir apparent and then mother of the Queen Consort (Cecily Neville). She was tried for witchcraft by her son-in-law’s enemies during Warwick’s rebellion (Eleanor Cobham). So, basically, she survived a lot of shit and did what she wanted. 

As the widow of Henry VI’s uncle, John of Bedford, and a favorite of Henry VI’s, she was very influential during Henry VI’s reign. Despite her close relationship to the Lancaster branch, she became an influential figure as the Queen Consort’s mother during Edward IV’s reign. She took her destiny into her own hands in her second marriage and had fourteen children. Yep, that is right. She gave birth to fourteen children in the Medieval Era. That means lots of sex (fun!) and no painkillers (yikes!). The fact that she thrived in both the Lancaster and Yorkist courts and determined her own destiny indicates how much of a badass she was. 

4. Cecily Neville 

Meister der Münchner Legenda Aurea, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

In the shadow of her husband, Richard of York, and her two royal sons, Cecily Neville often gets lost in the crazy that is the Cousins’ War. Not because she was not a badass or significantly influenced the events of the Cousins’ War, but because history is basically just mansplaining on an epic level. It does not help that she was merely the mother of the king, not the Dowager Queen in her own right (because she was never Queen Consort), plus her feud with Elizabeth Woodville (her daughter-in-law) limited her power in court significantly. 

While her husband was alive, she often was the mediator between him and Henry VI. While Richard was the face of the Yorkist faction, Cecily was the political mastermind. So, when Richard died, her son, Edward IV, was able to pick up where his father left off, with the help of Cecily. Once Edward IV took the throne, Cecily held significant influence as the number one woman in the King’s life. This changed after Edward IV’s controversial marriage to Elizabeth Woodville. The two did not get along and there was a constant power struggle between the two women.  

Aside from the feud with her daughter-in-law, Cecily continued to play the role a mediator in the royal court. As much of the political strife was between George of Clarence (who was literally a giant pain in the ass) and Edward IV, Cecily constantly had to mediate between the two. She is one of the main reasons why Warwick’s rebellion failed, as she convinced George to turn on Warwick. Unfortunately, as George continued to scheme against his brother (essentially committing treason), he died under “suspicious circumstances” (AKA Edward IV had him killed). So, her success rate as mediator is not awesome, but the War of Roses may have been far bloodier without her. 

3. Elizabeth Woodville 

Royal Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth Woodville was pretty much the exact opposite of what Edward IV’s Queen Consort was expected to be.  

  1. She was the first English born queen consort since the Norman Conquest.  
  1. She was considered a commoner as her father was a knight (even though her mother was a noble from Luxembourg who had been married to Henry VI’s uncle).  
  1. She was a widow with two sons from her previous marriage (because a women’s value was based on her virginity and her fertility, not her brains, personality, etc.). 
  1. Her late husband had died fighting for the Lancasters and her family was very close to Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou. 

Her marriage to Edward IV did wonders for the Woodvilles but Edward IV gained very little from the marriage politically and alienated some of his biggest supporters. She arranged for advantageous marriages for her siblings and placed them in powerful positions in the court, which pissed off all the other nobles who wanted those positions for themselves (greedy assholes). 

Elizabeth Woodville’s power, in court, was directly tied to her husband’s. During Edward IV’s exile to Burgundy and after his death, she sought sanctuary and tried to protect her children the best she could. In fact, she gave birth to the heir to the throne, Edward V, while in sanctuary during Warwick’s revolt. After Richard III had her children declared bastards and the “disappearance” of her sons in the Tower of London (which is still a mystery to this day), she teamed up with Margaret Beaufort to overthrow Richard III and place her daughter, Elizabeth of York, on the throne as wife to Henry Tudor or Henry VII.  

2. Margaret of Anjou 

Talbot Master (fl. in Rouen, c. 1430–60), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Margaret of Anjou is one of the ultimate badass medieval Queen Consorts, which also means that she is one of the most hated as well. As Queen Consort to Henry VI, she was the primary force behind the Lancastrian throne, especially during the War of the Roses. While Henry VI was never a powerful ruler, before he started having his catatonic episodes, Margaret played the role of the typical Queen Consort. She was powerful in her own way, but Henry VI was still the ruler of England. 

That changed when Henry VI collapsed into his first catatonic state, which, unfortunately, coincided with the birth of their only child, Edward of Lancaster. As the infighting in court increased and Henry VI became more unstable, Margaret focused on securing the future of England for her son. While she did not ride into battle during the War of the Roses, the Lancastrians followed her as she essentially was regent for her husband. Despite the Yorkist victories and the loss of the throne to Edward IV, she worked tirelessly from exile to put her son (the rightful heir) on the throne. She even allied (albeit very very very very reluctantly) with her former enemy, Warwick, to place her son back in the line of succession.  

Despite her efforts, her son and husband were killed by the Yorkists, and she lost everything. She is seen by many as a villain, but as a strong but tragic figure by others.  

1. Margaret Beaufort  

Rowland Lockey, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

One of the primary reasons why the Tudor dynasty came to be is due to the brilliance of Margaret Beaufort, the number one badass woman in the War of the Roses.  

Margaret was dealt a difficult hand. Her father died when she was young, and she was married to Edmund Tudor at the age of twelve (so fucking gross) at the beginning of the War of the Roses. She quickly got pregnant (just thinking about this makes me want to vomit) and gave birth to her only child, Henry Tudor. Margaret and Henry both almost died during the birth and Margaret was never able to have any other children.  

Edmund died fighting for the Lancasters before meeting his son. In the wake of Edward IV’s ascension to the throne, Henry Tudor was stripped of his inheritance and Margaret married her second husband, Henry Stafford. As her husband had Edward IV’s favor, Margaret utilized her political influence to attempt to gain her son’s inheritance back. While she made some missteps (attempting to negotiate with George of Clarence while Edward IV was in exile being a significant one), her third marriage to Thomas Stanley helped keep her in favor and part of the court. She became an integral part of Edward IV’s court. 

With Richard III taking the throne, Margaret was pretty much back at square one. She made a bold decision; she was going to overthrow the king and place her son on the throne (with his distant/not super legal claim to the throne). Then, she struck a deal with Elizabeth Woodville in which Henry Tudor would marry Elizabeth of York and take the throne. Her political maneuvering (as well as luck) was instrumental in the rise of the Tudor dynasty and changed the path of English History. 

And we are at the end of the Top 10 Kickass Women of the War of the Roses. Let me know what you think, if you would make any changes, or any sort of feedback! We will be seeing a lot more of these women (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Sources 

Links Disclaimer: Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third-party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there. 

Alison Weir. The War of the Roses.  http://www.alisonweir.org.uk/ 

Dan Jones. The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13844539.Dan_Jones  

Lisa Hilton. Queens Consort: England’s Medieval Queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4333081-queens-consort  

Sarah Gristwood. Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the War of the Roses. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13498116-blood-sisters  

Erin Lawless. Forgotten Royal Women: The King and I. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/45182330-forgotten-royal-women 

Gemma Holland. Royal Witches: Witchcraft and the Nobility in Fifteenth Century England. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46158747-royal-witches 

Subscribe to the Snarky History Nerd Blog Email List

Posted on

Top 10 Kickass Women in the War of the Roses: Part 1

Disclaimer: The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.


In celebration of Women’s History Month (in the United States), I am highlighting the kickass women who contributed to the War of the Roses. In their own way, each of these women affected the way the war played out. Some of them did it by rebelling against the social norms and taking their fates into their hands while others played the roles that they were expected to while being in powerful positions. Many of them are considered famous women in history.

10) Eleanor Cobham

Edwin Austin Abbey, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

While Eleanor Cobham’s scandal happened a little earlier than the outbreak of the War of the Roses, it greatly affected the political landscape leading up to the War of the Roses. Eleanor was the daughter of a lesser noble who became the lady-in-waiting to Jacqueline of Hainaut, who was Humphrey of Gloucester’s wife. Eleanor and Humphrey began an affair, which led to Humphrey annulling his marriage to Jacqueline so that he could marry Eleanor (which was super scandalous).

Of course, the scandal does not end there. Humphrey gained more power in the regency when his brother, John of Bedford, died. Many members of the regency council did not like Humphrey and when the opportunity presented itself, they lashed out and accused Eleanor of witchcraft (because of course). She was convicted, forced to divorce her husband and remained in confinement for the rest of her life.

While her downfall had more to do with the fact that Humphrey was a political dumpster fire that it did with her, Eleanor took her destiny into her own hands. She became the mistress, and then wife, to one of the heirs to the throne despite being part of the lesser nobility and not bringing any political or monetary value to the marriage. She was essentially giving the English nobility the middle finger and did whatever the fuck she wanted.

9) Anne Neville

William Henry Mote, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

Anne Neville, Warwick’s youngest daughter, was the wife of a Lancastrian prince and the Queen Consort of a Yorkist King. Her marriage to Edward of Lancaster (Henry VI’s heir) was organized by her father during his rebellion against Edward IV to solidify his alliance with Margaret of Anjou (because power matters more than your daughter’s happiness). Most of their marriage was spent in exile and her husband perished soon after they arrived in England.

Anne was in a really shitty spot once she became a widow. She was under the control of her brother-in-law, George of Clarence (who was a greedy asshole). George attempted to prevent her from marrying Richard III (who was simply a Duke at that time), but with the blessing of Edward IV, the marriage went through. She remained out of the spotlight until Richard III usurped the throne from his nephews after Edward IV’s death. She was not Queen Consort for long as she died young, along with her only child.

Anne Neville should be a fascinating character in this story. She was a survivor who in any other period of time, had the potential to be a powerful women. But in the long shadows of legends such as Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, and Margaret Beaufort, she falls short.

8) Catherine of Valois

engraved by W. H. Mote (1803-1871) after an illustration by J.W. Wright, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

While she was Queen Consort to Henry V and Queen Mother to Henry VI, Catherine of Valois had very little influence on the political stage in England. Henry V pretty much got her pregnant immediately and then died in a very shitty way (pun intended; aka he died of dysentery), making her reign as Queen Consort very short. Due to the fact that she was a French princess during the Hundred Years’ War, she was not given regency during Henry VI’s youth, though she was very involved in raising him during his younger years. Truthfully, she made very little impact during her lifetime.

Since she had very little power, the regency council paid little attention to her, except regarding her love life. As Queen Mother, her second husband could have used her position to gain power and influence (and they could not have that). So, after her first engagement was broken by the regency council, she eloped with Owen Tudor, a Welsh knight (the ultimate Mike Drop). It was this one rebellious act that shows how badass she was. She wanted to marry Owen Tudor, so she did. This act had very little impact on politics at that time, but her grandson from this union would eventually become Henry VII or Henry Tudor.

7) Margaret of Burgundy

Anonymous (Southern Netherlands)Unknown author, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

Sister to Edward IV and Richard III, Margaret of Burgundy is often overlooked in the retelling of the tale of the Cousin’s War Her role in the conflict is primarily limited to Warwick’s temper tantrum during Edward IV’s reign and her achievements during this period are directly connected to her husband, so she gets little to no credit.

During the brief period in which Warwick overthrew Edward IV and placed Henry VI back on the throne, Edward IV fled England and sought sanctuary from Margaret and her husband in Burgundy. It is believed that Margaret was instrumental in reconciling Edward IV and George of Clarence. George was basically a treasonous asshole to his brother. Margaret and her mother, Cecily Neville, worked together to reconciled the estranged brothers, which helped Edward IV take back the throne once and for all.

Margaret is most well known for being the primary backer for the pretenders to the throne during Henry VII’s reign. Despite her niece being Queen Consort, Margaret provided funds and troops for pretenders like Perkin Warbeck who claimed to be Richard of York (one of Edward IVs sons who disappeared under Richard III’s “protection”). Her actions ensured that the War of the Roses continued well into Henry VII’s reign.

Brief Side Note: Her biggest badass moments have more to do with her regency over Burgundy after her husband’s death than her impact on the War of the Roses.

6) Elizabeth of York

National Portrait Gallery, Public domain (PD-US-expired), via Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth of York, Edward IV’s first born and Henry VII, was vital to ending the War of the Roses. As the Yorkist primary heir to the throne, her marriage to Henry VII (the Lancastrian heir) united the Yorks and Lancasters, especially as she gave birth to seven children. This solidified the Tudor dynasty and eventually peace (once her aunt, Margaret of Burgundy, stopped stirring shit up with pretenders to the thrown).

Frankly, in a different period of time (or a different list), Elizabeth would be ranked much higher. As a princess and then Queen, she fulfilled her roles perfectly. In comparison to her mother, Elizabeth Woodville (whose marriage literally caused the biggest scandal) and her mother-in-law, Margaret Beaufort (who literally put her son on the throne despite his sketchy as fuck “right to rule”), she blends in the background. Due to Margaret Beaufort’s elevated role as the King’s mother, she did not have much political influence beyond the arrangement of her children’s marriages.

While I am stopping here, don’t worry; there is waaaayyy more to come. Part 2, with the rest of the list, will be coming out next week.

Do you agree with my rankings so far? What are your thoughts on these badasses? Please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments below. I would love to hear them!

Sources

Links Disclaimer: Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there.


Alison Weir. The War of the Roses. http://www.alisonweir.org.uk/

Dan Jones. The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13844539.Dan_Jones

Lisa Hilton. Queens Consort: England’s Medieval Queens from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Elizabeth of York. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4333081-queens-consort

Sarah Gristwood. Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the War of the Roses. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13498116-blood-sisters

Erin Lawless. Forgotten Royal Women: The King and I. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/45182330-forgotten-royal-women

Gemma Holland. Royal Witches: Witchcraft and the Nobility in Fifteenth Century England. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46158747-royal-witches

Subscribe to the Snarky History Nerd Blog Email List

Posted on

The Hundred Years War: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

image Attribution: British Library, Public domain, (PD-US-expired) via Wikimedia Commons

Disclaimers

The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there.

While the War of the Roses was essentially a Civil War (with other countries occasionally poking the bear for shits and giggles), much of the strife leading up to the conflict was due to another war entirely: the Hundred Years War between England and France. 

England Vs. France

Since the Norman Conquest in 1066, England and France has had a dysfunctional (to put it mildly) relationship. Despite gaining the English crown, William the Conqueror remained the Duke of Normandy, which gave him significant holdings in France. This meant that William was equal to the French King AND his vassal (aka had to pay taxes and answer to the French King) , which as a King, is a really shitty place to be. Over the next few centuries, the English and the French fought over the English lands in France. Sometimes, England had more power, such as when Eleanor of Aquitaine divorced the King of France to marry Henry II of England (which was such a badass move) and spent decades solidifying the Angevin Empire. Other times, the French monarchs had the upper hand, such as when Eleanor’s useless son, King John (yes, that King John), lost pretty much the entire Angevin Empire.

And Here Comes Edward III…

These conflicts reached a new level of crazy in what is known as the Hundred’s Years War (it was actually a 116 years but whatever). The catalyst was the fall of that House of Capet. The final Capetian King of France, Charles VI, died with no male heirs. His closest male relative was Edward III, the King of England, as Edward III’s mother was Isabella of France (another total badass). As you can imagine, the French were like “yeah… no… fuck off” to Edward III and put Charles IV’s cousin, Philip VI (who founded the House of Valois) on the throne. 

Edward III responded by basically saying “yeah… well… I didn’t want the fucking throne anyway…” (AKA he accepted their decision but refused to pay taxes on the remaining English holdings in France). Philip VI gave him a few years to cool off before he confiscated the English holdings for not paying their taxes. This totally blew up in Philip VI’s face as Edward III used this as an excuse to invade France. He decimated the French during his lifetime but with his heir’s death, the conquest of France stalled. 

Like Great-Grandfather, like Great-Grandson

The war reignited once again under Henry V, who, like his great-grandfather Edward III, kicked major French ass. He coerced the Mad French King, Charles VI, into agreeing to make him his heir and marry Catherine of Valois, one of Charles VI’s daughter. In all likelihood, Henry V would have taken over France and claimed the throne when Charles VI died a few years later, but Henry V died first by contracting dysentery (aka shitting himself to death). This left his infant son, Henry VI, as his only heir at less than a year old. 

Baby Kings Struggle to Win Wars. Shocker, I know.

Henry V’s brothers, the regents, attempted to maintain Henry V’s conquest of France but they were slowly losing ground. Once Henry VI reached adulthood, the English were losing the war and Henry VI wanted to end it (war was really not his thing). Unfortunately, the English nobles generally wanted to hold onto the English lands in France, at the very least, since England had been hemorrhaging money for a century to gain the French throne. Henry VI ended up losing pretty much everything in France, except for Calais. This loss was a major contribution to the War of the Roses.

Sources

Charles River Editors. Medieval England: The History of England from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Tudor Dynasty. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56157716-medieval-england

Dan Jones. The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13844539.Dan_Jones

Alison Weir. The War of the Roses.  http://www.alisonweir.org.uk/

Stephon Batchelor. Medieval History for Dummies. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/8247199-medieval-history-for-dummies

Sean Long. British History for Dummies. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/327532.British_History_for_Dummies

Hourly History. The Hundred Years War: A History from Beginning to End. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/50888975-the-hundred-years-war

Subscribe to the Snarky History Nerd Blog Email List

Posted on

The War of the Roses: The KISS Version

Image Attribution: The original uploader was Murraypaul at English Wikipedia., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Disclaimer: The content, images, materials, and information provided on this website is only intended to be general summary information to the public. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. It should not be viewed as medical, financial, legal, or professional advice of any sort. We will do our best to confirm the accuracy of all information that appears on our website but cannot guarantee accuracy, reliability, or timeliness. All recommendations are made without guarantee or warranty. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Introduction

In all likelihood, you have heard of the War of the Roses. It inspired some of the most popular films and shows of our time (aka Games of Thrones). It also led directly to England’s most famous dynasty, the Tudors (hint: Henry VIII and his six wives). As I will be exploring this time period in English history first, here is some background information or the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) version of the War of the Roses.

The Drama That Started It All

While the actual battles did not start until the mid 1400s, the dispute over succession started two generations prior when Henry IV took the throne from his cousin Richard II. Richard II inherited the throne from his grandfather when he was a child (never a good sign). He was the first and only son of Edward III’s first born son (named Edward of course) who died before his father. Henry IV, on the other hand, was the first son of Edward III’s third son, John of Gaunt. 

Richard II grew up to be a dick (pun intended) who pissed off Henry IV by stealing his inheritance (not the throne but John of Gaunt’s lands and title). Henry IV imprisoned Richard II, took the throne and had Richard II quietly assassinated (as one does when they steal the throne). To justify his actions, beyond the general “he was an asshole so I got rid of him”, Henry IV argued that since Edward III’s first and second sons died before Edward III died, the crown should have gone to his third son, who was Henry IV’s father. A bit confusing, but the English people accepted it (for the most part) and moved forward.

History Repeats Itself

Ironically, it was another inept child king that reopened the case of “Who the fuck should have been Edward III’s heir?” Henry VI, (Henry IV’s grandson who literally became king before he turned one) essentially lost the Hundred’s Year War and all of the English holdings in France. Since England literally spent over 100 years fighting this war, a significant and powerful section of the English nobility were really fucking pissed. In comes Richard, Duke of York, who was descended from Edward III’s second and fourth sons (because cousins should always marry cousins). He and his sons (most notably Edward IV and Richard III) overthrow Henry VI. 

As Richard of York dies before Henry VI is overthrown, Edward IV (his first born) takes the throne. Aside from a little hiccup where a former ally who got his panties in a twist (aka Warwick the Kingmaker) briefly put Henry VI on the throne again, Edward IV’s reign was relatively stable. And then he died. 

Despite having two sons, Edward IV’s brother, Richard III took the throne and the princes disappeared. A distant relative of Henry VI, Henry Tudor (otherwise known as Henry VII), challenged Richard III for the throne. Henry Tudor won, married Edward IV’s oldest daughter, Elizabeth of York and the War of the Roses ended. 

And that is a very brief overview and background of the War of the Roses. Confused? Don’t worry. I am going to go into a lot more detail as we explore this time period in England. 

A Few Fun Things to Look Forward To:

  1. There are some really badass women that we are going to talk about.
  2. Entirely way too many people are related. Seriously. The other name for this war is the Cousins’ War. Because everyone is related.
  3. There are legit mysteries from this conflict that we will likely not ever be able to solve, but everyone and their mother has a theory.
  4. And soooooo much more….

Link Disclaimer: Some links within this website may lead to other sites that we believe may be useful or informative. The Snarky History Nerd Blog does not incorporate any materials appearing in such linked sites by reference. These links to third party sites or information are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying our endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party information, products, or services found there. We do not maintain or control these sites and accordingly make no guarantee concerning the accuracy, reliability, or currency of the information found there.

Sources

Charles River Editors. Medieval England: The History of England from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Tudor Dynasty. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56157716-medieval-england

Dan Jones. The War of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors. https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13844539.Dan_Jones

Alison Weir. The War of the Roses.  http://www.alisonweir.org.uk/

Subscribe to the Snarky History Nerd Blog Email List