Summary:

"Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World" by Alison Weir provides a detailed and compelling biography of Elizabeth of York, mother of Henry VIII and wife of Henry VII. Weir delves into Elizabeth's life, from her royal upbringing and marriage to her role in uniting the warring houses of York and Lancaster. The book explores her influence on the Tudor dynasty and her legacy in English history, bringing to life the challenges and triumphs of her reign.

Bestselling historian Alison Weir tells the poignant, suspenseful and sometimes tragic story of Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the Yorkist King Edward IV and sister of the Princes in the Tower, a woman whose life was inextricably caught up in the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses and the establishment of the usurping Tudor dynasty. She was the wife of Henry VII and mother of Henry VIII.

Many are familiar with the story of the much-married King Henry VIII of England and the celebrated reign of his daughter, Elizabeth I. But it is often forgotten that the life of the first Tudor queen, Elizabeth of York, Henry’s mother and Elizabeth’s grandmother, spanned one of England’s most dramatic and perilous periods. Now New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed historian Alison Weir presents the first modern biography of this extraordinary woman, whose very existence united the realm and ensured the survival of the Plantagenet bloodline.

Her birth was greeted with as much pomp and ceremony as that of a male heir. The first child of King Edward IV, Elizabeth enjoyed all the glittering trappings of royalty. But after the death of her father; the disappearance and probable murder of her brothers—the Princes in the Tower; and the usurpation of the throne by her calculating uncle Richard III, Elizabeth found her world turned upside-down: She and her siblings were declared bastards.

As Richard’s wife, Anne Neville, was dying, there were murmurs that the king sought to marry his niece Elizabeth, knowing that most people believed her to be England’s rightful queen. Weir addresses Elizabeth’s possible role in this and her covert support for Henry Tudor, the exiled pretender who defeated Richard at the Battle of Bosworth and was crowned Henry VII, first sovereign of the House of Tudor. Elizabeth’s subsequent marriage to Henry united the houses of York and Lancaster and signaled the end of the Wars of the Roses. For centuries historians have asserted that, as queen, she was kept under Henry’s firm grasp, but Weir shows that Elizabeth proved to be a model consort—pious and generous—who enjoyed the confidence of her husband, exerted a tangible and beneficial influence, and was revered by her son, the future King Henry VIII.

Drawing from a rich trove of historical records, Weir gives a long overdue and much-deserved look at this unforgettable princess whose line descends to today’s British monarch—a woman who overcame tragedy and danger to become one of England’s most beloved consorts.

Editorial Reviews:

"Weir's meticulously researched biography offers a vivid portrait of Elizabeth of York, shedding light on her pivotal role in the Tudor dynasty." - Historical Biography Review

"Alison Weir captivates with her detailed account of Elizabeth of York's life and times. A must-read for Tudor enthusiasts." - Royal History Journal

"An engaging and insightful exploration of Elizabeth of York's impact on English history. Weir's narrative is both informative and entertaining." - Tudor Chronicles

About the Author:

Alison Weir is a renowned historian and author specializing in the British monarchy. With numerous bestsellers, she is known for her meticulous research and engaging writing style, making complex historical figures accessible to a broad audience.