B - Countess Margaret of Anjou Beaufort

Lady Margaret Beaufort, The Countess of Richmond & Derby, was the daughter of John Beaufort, Duke of Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp.  She was born May 31, 1443 and died June 29, 1509.   

Her father was John Beaufort, who was held English prisoner in France from the Hundred Year War.  King Henry VI arranged his release.  The King tried to help him when he sent him back to France, but many things went wrong and he committed suicide before Margaret's first birthday.  This made Margaret the greatest heiresses in England at an extremely young age!  Henry VI knew it was possibility now to get heirs to the crown of England and it would be through Margaret.  

He decided to have his half brother Edmund Tudor marry Margaret when she was only twelve....yes twelve...crowns are very important to get I guess!   Edmund was twenty five at the time of the marriage. The Wars of the Roses had just broken out and Edmund was taken prisoner.   He died in captivity leaving a 13-year-old widow who was seven months pregnant with their child. – yes pregnant! When the child was born he was named Henry Tudor VII.  This was a very difficult birth because of her age and small size.  He became her only son, and never had any other children.  

Not long after his death, she married Henry Stafford, the second son of the Duke of Buckingham, and submitted to the Yorkest rule.  They had a good and fruitful marriage, but widowed again by age 30.

Margaret married Thomas Stanley, the Lord High Constable and King of Mann, as her third husband, but she never recognized this marriage. Margaret took a vow of chastity and taking a vow of chastity while being married was unprecedented.  This was more of a protective arrangement. He watched over her interests as he was given the prestige of her name and wealth.  He was chosen because he never lead his troops to war. At this point Margaret was working on getting her son to return to favor in England.

Her son was very devoted to her, especially after he became king. She was called "My Lady the King's Mother".   She gave her son the King a lot of political advice.  She "acted" as Queen over the daughter-in-law.  She loved all her grandchildren.  Prince Arthur, Margaret Tudor (married King Jame IV), Mary Queen of France, and Henry VIII. 

After her son, Henry VII's death, the Countess was declared to be regent for her grandson, Henry VIII, who was considered too young to reign on his own. Margaret did live long enough to see her grandson King Henry VIII and his wife Catherine of Aragon have their coronation, however she died 5 days later.  

Margaret will be remembered as being an influential matriarch of the House of Tudor and founder of two Cambridge colleges. Margaret translated many devotional books as well. In her Will she gave most of her estate to endow St. John’s College.  

Tomb of Margaret Beaufort in Westminster Abbey