ELIZABETH WOODVILLE ENGLAND’S ‘COMMONER’ QUEEN

Henry VIII tends to be the monarch who gets frequently cited for breaking the royal marital mould by choosing his own wives from among his subjects. In particular, the narrative arcs of his relations with Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard continue to fascinate, five centuries after his passion turned to hatred and he sent them to their deaths.

However, Henry was – to a degree – following the example set by Edward IV, the Yorkist grandfather whom he resembled in both looks and appetite. Edward may not have had as many wives as Henry, but his liaisons with women were just as complex and, perhaps, equally destructive on a national scale. Instead of following the traditional kingly route and negotiating for an influential foreign bride, Edward followed his heart and chose his wife for her personal qualities. Despite the scandal this created, the marriage proved successful and lasted until his death.

A SURPRISE CHOICE

Five years older than her royal husband, Elizabeth Woodville was an unlikely queen. Her legendary blonde beauty entranced the young king to the extent that he married her in spite of tradition, in spite of advice – and perhaps even in spite of himself.

While none could