Women’s Networks in Medieval England, Pt. 2

Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull returns for part two of our conversation on women's networks during the Wars of the Roses. This time, we turn our attention to two of the most influential women of the fifteenth century: Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort.

How did these women navigate one of the most turbulent periods in English history? What role did family connections, female alliances, and political survival play in shaping the future of the English crown?

We explore Elizabeth Woodville's relationship with her mother, Jaquetta of Luxembourg, and how that bond may have helped prepare her to survive repeated political upheavals. We also examine Margaret Beaufort's often-misunderstood ambitions, separating later Tudor mythology from what the contemporary evidence actually tells us.

Along the way, we discuss the mysterious events of 1483, including a possible plot to rescue the Princes in the Tower, the challenges of interpreting Richard III's actions, and the communication networks that may have connected Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort long before their famous alliance.

Most importantly, we look at how these two women ultimately worked together to secure the marriage of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York—an alliance that helped bring the Wars of the Roses to an end and laid the foundations for the Tudor dynasty.

Join us as we separate fact from fiction, challenge long-held assumptions, and uncover the remarkable political agency of women whose influence has too often been overlooked by history.

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Lacey's Substack: https://thehistoriansdesk.substack.com/

Support the podcast on Patreon and get commercial-free episodes, early access, and exclusive content! https://patreon.com/tudorsdynasty--Host: Rebecca Larson

Guest: Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull