Tudor Matriarch: Mother-in-Law from Hell or The Good Wife? (ep 55)

As the first Tudor King, we recognize Henry VII as the patriarch, so his wife Elizabeth of York could be seen as the natural matriarch. Elizabeth represented the Yorkist claim to the throne, so she was an essential part of the story of the Tudors representing the union of York and Lancaster. She bore the King four children who survived infancy and early childhood, providing two sons—an heir and a spare. This guaranteed the continuation of the dynasty. Definitely a successful matriarch! 

On the other hand, Henry VII’s mother Margaret Beaufort was the driving force in keeping Henry Tudor alive and safe. She also kept the possibility of his taking the throne a real thing. She managed to be successful in the courts of both Lancaster and York and to develop relationships with supporters of both sides. Without her influence, it’s hard to imagine Henry Tudor being able to assemble the level of support (including Stanley’s troops) to defeat Richard III and be accepted as King. Also the work of a successful matriarch.

These women weren’t traditional Queen Mothers. Margaret Beaufort had never been Queen, married to the King. Although Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne came through her, she never claimed the throne for herself. Elizabeth of York was married to the King, but she died before her husband and thus was never a Queen Dowager or Queen Mother. 

Nevertheless, Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth of York shaped the early Tudor monarchy and helped establish the strength of the dynasty that would last more than a hundred years and continues to capture and hold our attention. We’re going to consider them in tandem and not in competition: two women, both mothers, who put the family business on the fast track to success.

Henry VII had commissioned extraordinary tombs for himself and Elizabeth and for Margaret in the beautiful Henry VII Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey. The grand tomb of Henry and Elizabeth was designed by Italian sculptor Pietro Torrigiano. The tomb base is topped by the bronze effigies of the King and Queen. Angels sit at each corner of the tomb, supporting the royal coat of arms. Margaret Beaufort’s tomb rests is to the right of Henry and Elizabeth’s. Her effigy was also created by Torrigiano in gilt bronze. She is dressed in a widow’s dress and hood; her portcullis badge and the Tudor rose surround her. At the west and east ends of her tomb chest are the arms of Edmund Tudor and Thomas Stanley; on the south side are the arms of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, and on the north side are the arms of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon.

Margaret Beaufort, Henry VII, and Elizabeth of York created the Tudor dynasty. Henry had been the monarch, but without the extraordinary contributions of Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth of York, the dynasty could not have succeeded. It was not a case of the “Good Wife” versus “The Mother-in-Law from hell.” It was two strong women leaving their own special mark on their family and the nation.

History shows us what's possible.