Charlie Fenton’s Reviews > Uncrowned Queen: The Fateful Life of Margaret Beaufort, Tudor Matriarch > Status Update

‘The historian Maria Hayward has shown that at the time of her death Margaret owned plate and jewels worth a staggering £4,213 4s 3 1/2d (£2,805,820), in addition to numerous household items that were worth another fortune; at her death, the total value of her goods was believed to be an eye-watering £15,000 (£10,000,000).’

‘Having herself declared femme sole marked a hugely significant moment for Margaret. From now on, despite having a husband still living, she would stake her independence. She had no need of a husband. With her son’s support, she was able to break free of the ties with which society had bound her, and establish herself as an authority in her own right.’

‘Practicalities aside, it makes no sense that Margaret would have wished them dead when mere months earlier she may have been involved in a plot to free them. Quite simply, she had no motive. On the other hand, Richard, as the popular phrase goes, had both motive and opportunity.‘

‘Contrary to the dour image conveyed in most of her portraits, Margaret was fond of fashion and took a great interest in her appearance. Later in her life, her inventories reveal the extent of her love of clothes and jewels, but earlier evidence also shows that she was purchasing expensive materials and was conscious of creating an outward impression of splendour as her rank demanded.’

‘it is hardly surprising that childbirth left Margaret emotionally scarred - so much so that it is possible she made a conscious decision not to become pregnant again. Such a prospect can only ever be speculative, but there is evidence in her later life, in particular as regards her choice of third husband, that gives us good reason to consider such a possibility seriously.’

‘The Church declared that twelve was the age at which a girl was permitted to have sexual relations with her husband and cohabit, while fourteen was prescribed for boys. Nevertheless, many of Margaret’s contemporaries still considered this to be painfully young and often chose to wait a few years... So eager, though, was Edmund to secure an interest in Margaret’s inheritance through consummation’

‘the Duchess was once again pregnant, so the couple had clearly reunited at some point following Somerset’s return from France. Possibly the shock of her husband’s death caused her to miscarry, or else the child was stillborn or died young, for nothing further is heard of this pregnancy. Though her father was dead, his lineage continued through Margaret, who was proud to be his daughter.’