Margaret of York Plantagenet

Margaret of York

Margaret PLANTAGENET of York was born on 12 May 1446 in Northamptonshire, England, into a prominent noble family that played a significant role in the tumultuous politics of the Wars of the Roses. Her birth came during a period of intense rivalry between the houses of Lancaster and York, which would shape her life and the lives of her family members. Margaret was the daughter of Richard PLANTAGENET, Duke of York, and Cecily Neville, and she was the sister of two of England's most notable kings: Edward IV and Richard III. This connection placed her at the heart of the political machinations of her time, as her family sought to secure power and influence amidst the chaos of civil war.

Margaret died on 3 December 1503 in Mechelen, Antwerp, Flanders, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the fate of her brothers and the shifting allegiances of the English nobility. Her marriage to Charles, Duke of Burgundy, was a strategic alliance orchestrated by her brother Edward IV, who sought to bolster Yorkist claims and strengthen ties with the powerful Burgundian court. This union, however, incited the ire of French King Louis XI, who viewed it as a direct threat to his ambitions in the region, thereby intensifying the already fraught relations between England and France.

Margaret's trousseau, which cost Edward IV nearly 2,500 pounds, was an enormous sum that reflected the lavishness expected for a royal wedding but also placed a significant strain on the royal finances. This extravagant expenditure was indicative of the high-stakes nature of royal marriages during this period, where alliances could shift the balance of power. On 29 June 1468, she arrived at Sluys in Flanders, a key port city, and on 3 July, she married the Duke of Burgundy in a ceremony held in Damme. The event was notable not only for its political significance but also for its cultural implications, as it showcased the interconnectedness of European nobility.

Margaret of York Plantagenet

William Caxton, the pioneering printer and merchant, played a prominent role in the celebrations surrounding Margaret's marriage. He led the English reception at Sluys, marking the importance of this union for both England and Burgundy. In 1469, Caxton began translating the Recueilles d'histoires de Troyes into English, a significant literary endeavour that reflected the cultural exchange between England and the continent, further enhancing Margaret's status as a key figure in the era's cultural landscape.

In 1470, during a critical moment in the power struggles of the time, Margaret provided refuge to her brother Edward IV when he was forced to flee from England due to the shifting tides of loyalty and power. This act of loyalty demonstrated her commitment to her family's cause and the precarious nature of their positions. Following the death of her husband in 1477, Margaret sought to solidify her family's influence by attempting to arrange a marriage between her step-daughter, Maria 'the Rich', and her brother George, Duke of Clarence. However, this proposed union was ultimately vetoed by Edward IV, highlighting the complexities and rivalries that often marred familial relationships within the royal family.

After 1485, with the ascension of Henry Tudor as King of England, Margaret's court in Mechelen became a refuge for discontented Yorkists who were disillusioned by the new regime. Her home transformed into a centre for those loyal to the Yorkist cause, fostering a sense of community among those who longed for a return to Yorkist rule. This dynamic not only underscored her importance as a political figure but also illustrated the ongoing legacy of the Wars of the Roses, as the power struggles continued to resonate in the lives of those whose conflicts had touched.

My Lineage too:

Margaret of York Plantagenet 1446-1503

4th cousin 15x removed.

Richard, 3rd Duke of York Plantagenet 1410-1460

Father of Margaret of York Plantagenet

Anne De Mortimer 1390-1411

Mother of Richard, 3rd Duke of York Plantagenet

Roger 4th Earl of March De MORTIMER 1374-1398

Father of Anne De Mortimer

EDMUND 3rd Earl of March De MORTIMER 1352-1381

Father of Roger 4th Earl of March De MORTIMER

Roger 2nd Earl of March De MORTIMER Sir 1328-1360

Father of EDMUND 3rd Earl of March De MORTIMER

Joanne MORTIMER 1364-1419

Daughter of Roger 2nd Earl of March De MORTIMER Sir

Thomas Hopton Sir 1390-1445

Son of Joanne MORTIMER

Elizabeth Hopton 1427-1498

Daughter of Thomas Hopton Sir

JANE CORBET 1430-1520

Daughter of Elizabeth Hopton

RICHARD CRESSETT 1470-1513

Son of JANE CORBET

CICILY CRESSETT 24 1497-1575

Daughter of RICHARD CRESSETT

ROBERT ACTON 26 1534-1597

Son of CICILY CRESSETT 24

WALTER ACTON 38 1572-1640

Son of ROBERT ACTON 26

EDWARD 1st Bt ACTON Sir 43 1600-1659

Son of WALTER ACTON 38

WALTER 2nd Bt ACTON Sir 53 1620-1665

Son of EDWARD 1st Bt ACTON Sir 43

ROBERT ACTON Snr 72 1655-1695

Son of WALTER 2nd Bt ACTON Sir 53

ROBERT ACTON jnr 139 1686-1721

Son of ROBERT ACTON Snr 72

CHARLES ACTON 193 1717-1761

Son of ROBERT ACTON jnr 139

JOHN ACTON 224 1744-1823

Son of CHARLES ACTON 193

SARAH ACTON 252 1766-1841

Daughter of JOHN ACTON 224

WILLIAM ROBERT BOND 1801-1876

Son of SARAH ACTON 252

JAMES ROBERT BOND 1831-1884

Son of WILLIAM ROBERT BOND

HARRY BOND 1864-1950

Son of JAMES ROBERT BOND

CYRIL LEONARD BOND 1904-1983

Son of HARRY BOND

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