LIVES OF

THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND,

FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST.

BY

AGNES STRICKLAND.

"The treasures of antiquity laid up
In old historic rolls, I opened."

BEAUMONT.

A NEW EDITION CAREFULLY REVISED AND AUGMENTED.

IN SIX VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:

BELL AND DALDY, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN,

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET

AND CHARING CROSS.

CONTENTS.

ELIZABETH WOODVILLE,

QUEEN OF EDWARD IV.

CHAPTER 1.-Unequal royal marriages-Parents of Elizabeth Woodville-She is maid

of honour to Margaret of Anjou-Duke of York writes to Elizabeth-Earl of Warwick

writes to her for his friend-She rejects Sir Hugh Johns-Accepts the heir of lord

Ferrers, John Gray-Elizabeth's son born at Bradgate-Her husband killed at St.

Alban's-Elizabeth's destitute widowhood-Captivates Edward IV.-Their meetings

-The queen's oak-Private marriage with the king-Opposition of the king's

mother-Recognition of Elizabeth as queen-Her sisters-Her brother, Anthony

Woodville-Scene at her court-Coronation-Enmity of queen Isabella of Castile-

Elizabeth endows Queen's college-Birth of her eldest daughter-Warwick's enmity

to the queen-Portrait of the queen-Her influence-Her father and eldest brother

murdered-Her mother accused of witchcraft-Revolution-Edward IV.'s flight-

Queen and her mother at the Tower-Flight to sanctuary-Birth of prince Edward

-Queen's distress-Her humble friends-Return of Edward IV.-Queen leaves

sanctuary for the Tower-Her brother Anthony defends the Tower-Re-establish-

ment of the house of York-The queen's friends rewarded

CHAPTER II.-Elizabeth's court at Windsor-Described by her guest-Her evening

amusements-Banquet in her apartments-Her arrangements for her guest-Court

at Westminster-Queen's visit to Oxford-Marriage of her second son-Death of

Clarence-Queen's robes of the Garter-Death of Edward IV.-Elizabeth's widow-

hood as queen-mother-Opposed in council-Receives a letter from the duke of

Gloucester-She sends for the young king-Receives news of the arrest of her

brother and son-Takes sanctuary-Given the great seal-Surrenders her son, the

young duke of York - Her son Richard Gray beheaded- Her marriage declared

illegal-Usurpation of Richard III.-Murder of her son Edward V. and Richard of

York-Her despair and agony-Promises her eldest daughter to Henry of Richmond

-Leaves sanctuary - -Under control of John Nesfield - Forbids her daughter's

marriage with Richmond-Relieved from her difficulties by the death of Richard III.

- Her daughter brought to her-Restored to her rank as queen-dowager-Is god-

mother to prince Arthur-Receives the French ambassador-Retires to Bermondsey

-Her will-Her poverty-Funeral-Place of burial discovered

---

PAGE

1

20

b

ANNE OF WARWICK,

QUEEN OF RICHARD III.

PAGE

Anne of Warwick, last Plantagenet queen-Place of her birth-Crowns of York and

Lancaster-Her armorial bearings-Parentage-Childhood-Richard of Gloucester-

His early acquaintance with Anne-Anne at Calais-Marriage of her sister-Returns

to England ---Embarks with her family-Naval battle-Distress before Calais-Lands

in France-Marriage with Edward prince of Wales-Remains with queen Margaret

-Tewkesbury-Richard of Gloucester wishes to marry her-Her aversion-She is

concealed by Clarence-Richard discovers her-She resides with her uncle-Disputes

regarding her property-Compelled to marry Richard-Divorce meditated-Birth of

her son-Residence at Middleham-Death of Edward IV.-Gloucester departs for

London-Anne's arrival at the Tower-Coronation-Her progress to the north-Her

son-Re-coronation of Richard and Anne at York-Bribe to the queen-Death of

her son-Her fatal grief-Rumours of divorce-Conversation of her husband regard-

ing her-Rumours of her death-Her alarm and complaints-Her kindness to

Elizabeth of York-The queen's death and burial.

39

ELIZABETH OF YORK,

SURNAMED THE GOOD;

QUEEN-CONSORT OF HENRY VII.

CHAPTER I.-Elizabeth, born heiress of England-Baptism-Fondness of her father

Edward IV. - Mourner at her grandfather's obsequies-Promised in marriage—

Reverses of fortune-Taken into sanctuary-Birth of her brother-Her father's will

-Contracted to the dauphin-Education-Marriage-contract broken-Death of her

father-Takes sanctuary with her mother-Their calamities-Murder of her brothers

-Again heiress of England-Betrothed to Henry Tudor-Elizabeth and her sisters

declared illegitimate-Kindness of queen Anne-Elizabeth received at court-Narra-

tive of Brereton-Death of queen Anne-Addresses of Richard III.-Elizabeth is

sent to Sheriff-Hutton - Early life of Henry Tudor- Engagement renewed with

Elizabeth-Defeat and death of Richard III.-Progress of Elizabeth to London-

Coronation of Henry-Marriage of Elizabeth and Henry-Rejoicings of the people . 53

CHAPTER II.-Epithalamium-Origin of the anthem of "God save the king"-The

queen's residence at Winchester-Delicate health-Illness with ague-Birth of prince

Arthur-Queen founds the Lady-chapel at Winchester cathedral-Her dower-Meets

her cousin Warwick at Shene-Joins the king at Kenilworth-Views his entry at

Bishopsgate-street-Goes with him to Greenwich-Her procession by water to London

-Coronation-Assists at the feast of St. George-Presides at the marriages of her

aunt and sisters-Party to her sister's marriage-settlement-Takes her chamber-

Birth of the princess Margaret-Of prince Henry-Of the princess Elizabeth-Queen

writes to the king of France-Perkin Warbeck's rebellion-Queen's progress with the

king to Latham-house-Queen's expenditure-Her friendship for the king's mother

-The royal children-Troubles of England-Queen's sojourn at Calais - Marriages of

her children-Death of prince Arthur-Routine of the queen's life-Expenditure-

Visit to Hampton-court-Residence at the palace of the Tower-Birth of seventh

child-Illness-Death-Lying in state at the Tower-Chapelle ardente-Stately

funeral-Elegy by Sir Thomas More-Statue

72