- Widowhood and Early Motherhood: Edmund died shortly before Henry’s birth, leaving Margaret a widowed teenager responsible for the future of the Tudor claim.
- Political Turmoil: The Yorkists gained ascendancy, and Margaret’s position became precarious. Protecting her son’s claim meant navigating a hostile world dominated by enemies.
- Marriages and Court Intrigue: Margaret’s subsequent marriages—first to Henry Stafford and then to Thomas Stanley—were strategic, enhancing her security and political connections.
Her survival and the safeguarding of her son during these dangerous years were acts of resilience and political acumen.
Life Three: The Political Powerbroker (1471–1485)
Margaret’s third life was defined by political maneuvering and behind-the-scenes influence as her son Henry Tudor grew into a claimant for the throne.
- The Tudor Claim: With the Lancastrian cause weakened, Henry’s claim was tenuous but real. Margaret worked tirelessly to secure alliances, financial support, and military aid for her son.
- Exile and Diplomacy: Henry spent years in exile in Brittany and France, during which Margaret maintained communication and coordinated efforts to prepare for his return.
- The Battle of Bosworth (1485): Margaret’s efforts bore fruit when Henry defeated King Richard III, ending the Wars of the Roses and inaugurating Tudor rule.
Margaret’s role as a powerbroker during this period was critical, even if largely conducted out of the public eye. shutdown123