Biography of Margaret of York Duchess of Burgundy 1446-1503

In October 1429 [her father] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 18) and [her mother] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 14) were married. She by marriage Duchess York. She was the youngest sister of Richard's brother-in-arms [her uncle] Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 29). She the daughter of [her grandfather] Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and [her grandmother] Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland (age 50). He the son of [her grandfather] Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge and [her grandmother] Anne Mortimer. They were second cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 19th May 1440 [her future husband] Charles "Bold" Valois Duke Burgundy (age 6) and Catherine Valois (age 11) were married. She the daughter of Charles "Victorious" VII King France (age 37) and Marie Valois Anjou Queen Consort France (age 35). He the son of Philip "Good" Valois III Duke Burgundy (age 43) and [her future mother-in-law] Isabella Aviz Duchess Burgundy (age 43). They were third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England.

On 3rd May 1446 Margaret of York Duchess of Burgundy was born to [her father] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 34) and [her mother] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 31) at Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire [Map]. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.42%.

In 1447 [her brother-in-law] Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 16) and [her sister] Anne York Duchess Exeter (age 7) were married. She the daughter of [her father] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 35) and [her mother] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 31). He the son of John Holland 2nd Duke Exeter (age 51) and Anne Stafford Duchess Exeter. They were half second cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 5th August 1447 John Holland 2nd Duke Exeter (age 52) died at Stepney [Map]. He was buried at the Church of St Katharine's by the Tower, Tower Hill [Map]. His son [her brother-in-law] Henry (age 17) succeeded 3rd Duke Exeter, 3rd Earl Huntingdon. [her sister] Anne York Duchess Exeter (age 7) by marriage Duchess Exeter.

On 27th March 1454 [her father] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 42) was appointed Lord Protector. [her uncle] Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 54) was appointed Lord Chancellor.

On 30th October 1454 [her future husband] Charles "Bold" Valois Duke Burgundy (age 20) and Isabella Bourbon (age 18) were married. She the daughter of Charles Bourbon I Duke Bourbon (age 53) and Agnes Valois Duchess Bourbon (age 47). He the son of Philip "Good" Valois III Duke Burgundy (age 58) and [her future mother-in-law] Isabella Aviz Duchess Burgundy (age 57). They were first cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.

After 25th May 1455 [her father] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 43) was appointed Constable of England.

In November 1455 [her father] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 44) was appointed Lord Protector.

Before February 1458 [her brother-in-law] John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk (age 15) and [her sister] Elizabeth York Duchess Suffolk (age 13) were married. She by marriage Marchioness Suffolk. She the daughter of [her father] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 46) and [her mother] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 42). He the son of William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk and Alice Chaucer Duchess Suffolk (age 54). They were half third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In or after 1461 [her brother] George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 11) was created 1st Earl Richmond. The seventh creation was still extant being held by King Henry VII of England and Ireland (age 3) which was not recognised by the House of York.

On 9th September 1461 Baldwin Fulford (age 46) was beheaded at Bristol, Gloucestershire [Map] on the orders of [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 19) for having supported King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 39).

Before December 1462 Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 31) was appointed Esquire to the Body to [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 20), and to the Privy Council.

On 28th February 1463 John Lovell 8th Baron Lovel 5th Baron Holand (age 30) died. His son Francis (age 7) succeeded 9th Baron Lovel of Titchmarsh, 6th Baron Holand at around eight years of age. He became a ward of [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 20) who gave his wardship to Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 34) spending his childhood at Middleham Castle [Map] with the young (future) [her brother] King Richard III of England (age 10).

On 23rd March 1463 [her brother-in-law] John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk (age 20) was restored 2nd Duke Suffolk. [her sister] Elizabeth York Duchess Suffolk (age 18) by marriage Duchess Suffolk.

In 1465 [her brother] Richard Duke of Gloucester (age 12) was appointed 198th Knight of the Garter by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 22).

In 1466 Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers (age 26) was appointed 199th Knight of the Garter by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 23).

Before March 1466 Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers (age 61) was created 1st Earl Rivers by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 23).

On 13th May 1467 [her nephew] John de la Pole Earl Lincoln (age 5) was created 1st Earl Lincoln by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 25).

On 15th June 1467 Philip "Good" Valois III Duke Burgundy (age 70) died. His son [her future husband] Charles (age 33) succeeded Duke Burgundy.

In 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare (age 47) attended Parliament in Drogheda [Map] to answer charges of treason. Both were found guilty and attain. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond sought sanctuary in Drogheda Priory [Map] where he was captured by John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester (age 40). On 14th February 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond was summarily beheaded. He was buried initially in St Peter's Church Drogheda [Map] then Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map]. Some accounts claim John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester also murdered two of his young sons. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare escaped and was subsequently pardoned and attainder reversed when King Edward IV found Ireland was ungovernable without him. In 1470 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland under [her brother] George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 18) which position he held until the Duke's death in 1478.

In 1469 William Norreys (age 28) was appointed Esquire to the Body to [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 26).

In 1470 Bishop John Hales (age 70) was appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 48) during his re-adeption but lost it again when [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 27) was restored in 1471.

In February 1470 [her husband] Charles "Bold" Valois Duke Burgundy (age 36) was appointed 201st Knight of the Garter by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 27).

In 1472 [her brother] George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 22) was created 1st Earl Salisbury.

On 8th April 1473 (some sources state 1482) Humphrey Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 49) was created 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 30). By letters patent he created Dacre Baron Dacre of Gilsland, declaring "that the said Humfrey Dacre, Knight, and the heirs male of the body of the said Thomas, late Lord Dacre, comyng, bee reputed, had, named and called the Lord Dacre of Gillesland". Mabel Parr Baroness Dacre of Gilsland by marriage Baroness Dacre Gilsland.

In 1474 [her brother-in-law] Thomas St Leger (age 34) and [her sister] Anne York Duchess Exeter (age 34) were married. She the daughter of [her father] Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York and [her mother] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 58). They were fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In September 1475 [her brother-in-law] Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 45) drowned on his return from France having probably been thrown over-board on the orders of [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 33).

In 1476 Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset (age 21) was appointed 216th Knight of the Garter by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 33).

On 12th June 1476 [her nephew] Richard of Shrewsbury 1st Duke of York (age 2) was created 1st Earl Nottingham by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 34).

On 22nd December 1476 [her sister-in-law] Isabel Neville Duchess Clarence (age 25) died from childbirth. The cause of death unknown but likely a consequence of the birth of her fourth child Richard in early October. She was buried in Tewkesbury Abbey [Map]. [her brother] George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 27) believed she had been murdered by Ankarette Hawkeston aka Twynyho. See Trial and Execution of Ankarette Twynyho.

On 7th February 1477 [her nephew] Richard of Shrewsbury 1st Duke of York (age 3) was created 1st Duke Norfolk, 1st Earl Norfolk by his father [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 34) in preparation for his marriage to Anne Mowbray 8th Countess Norfolk (age 4). She, Anne, being daughter of the last Duke of Norfolk of the 1st Creation John Mowbray 4th Duke of Norfolk.

In 1478 [her nephew] George York 1st Duke Bedford was created 1st Duke Bedford by [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 35).

In 1479 William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon (age 27) was compelled to relinquish the Earldom of Pembroke by [her brother] King Edward IV (age 36) who gave it to his son.

[her nephew] Edward Prince of Wales (age 8) was created 1st Earl Pembroke.

In compensation William was created 1st Earl Huntingdon. Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon (age 23) by marriage Countess Huntingdon.

In 1480 Bishop Oliver King (age 48) was appointed Secretary to [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 37).

Before 1483 Ralph Hastings was appointed Knight of the Body to [her brother] King Edward IV of England (age 40).

Before September 1483 Marmaduke Constable (age 26) was appointed Knight of the Body to [her brother] King Richard III of England (age 30).

On 8th June 1492 [her former sister-in-law] Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England (age 55) died at Bermondsey Abbey [Map]. She was buried in the Chantry Chapel next to the Altar, St George's Chapel [Map] with her husband [her brother] King Edward IV of England.

On 31st May 1495 [her mother] Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York (age 80) died. She was buried at St Mary and All Saints Church, Fotheringhay [Map].

Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. [After 4th October 1497]. A rumor came to Flanders that Peter (age 23) had achieved nothing, but rather was in chains, and this brought Princess Margaret (age 51) many tears, for she had spent many fearful nights waiting news of his doings. Having done these things with success, Henry (age 40), not unaware that the greatest enticement to wrongdoing is the hope of impunity, quickly held an inquisition so that he might henceforth keep his subjects loyal more easily. He discovered that there were many men, both in Devonshire and Someret, who had helped the Cornishmen with their money and provisions when they were undertaking this war, and afterwards when they were routed and fleeing homeward. And he decided to mulct these people of as much as they could pay, in proportion to the gravity of their offence. He assigned this responsibility to Sir Amyas Powlet (age 40), who soon thereafter was given Robert Scherburn (age 44), Dean of St. Paul's, as a colleague. They first swept like a gale through the fortunes of virtual the inhabitants of both counties, so that no man implicated in that capital affair could evade his deserved punishment. But they dealt more mildly with many men who had committed their misdeeds out of fear or compulsion, rather than free will.

After January 1503 [her sister] Elizabeth York Duchess Suffolk (deceased) died at Wingfield, Suffolk.

On 23rd November 1503 Margaret of York Duchess of Burgundy (age 57) died at Mechlin [Map].

Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. King James of Scotland did not break his word. Now being dead sure that he had been the victim of a fraud, he summoned Peter Warbeck and, gently reminding him of all the benefits he had conferred, urged him to migrate to some other country where he could live in peace until a better opportunity for conducting his business offered itself. For he himself had been obliged to make peace with the King of England, and because of the affinity he enjoyed with the king and valued so highly, it was scarcely possible that in the future he could take up arms in Peter's name, as he had gladly done at the beginning when he hoped that Peter would be furnished with timely help by his English friends. But since this expectation had proved to be in vain, he told him he should not take this delay amiss, for it might turn out to be helpful for him in his affliction. Saying these and similar things, he told Peter to go elsewhere. And he, learning the king's will, was devastated by this desertion, now seeing that there was nothing left for him among the Scots. Although he was not able to requite the many benefits he had received from them, nevertheless, so as not to appear to be an ingrate, he accepted the king's command calmly, and a few days later took his wife and left for Ireland, with the idea of returning to Margaret in Flanders, or of attaching himself to the Cornishmen.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. When this diabolical Duchess had framed her cloth mete for the market, and imagined that all things was ready and prepared for the confusion of King Henry, suddenly she was informed that the said King of England prepared a puissant army aganst Charles the French King. Then she considering the opportunity of the time, as who would say, a time wished and a day desired to achieve and bring to passe her olde malicious and cantarde inventions, which always nothing less minded than peace and tranquility, and nothing more desired than dissention, civil war and destruction of King Henry. Wherefore she sent Perkyn Werbeck, her new invented Mawmet first into Portugal, and so craftily into the realm of Ireland, to the intent that he being both witty and wily might move, inveigle and provoke the rude and rustic Irish nation (being more of nature euclyived [?] to rebellion then to reasonable order) to a new conflict and a seditious commotion. This worshipful Perkin, arriving in Ireland, whether it were more by his crafty wit, or by the malicious and beastly exhortation of the saltiage Irish governors, within short space entered so far into their favours, and so seriously persuaded and allured them to his purpose, that the greatest lords and princes of the country, adhibited such faith and credit to his words, as that thing had bene true in deed, which he untruly with false demonstrations set forth and divulged. And as though he had bene the very son of King Edward, they honoured, exalted and applauded him with all reverence and due honour, promising to him aid, comfort and assistance of all things to the feat of war, necessary and appertaining.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. In the mean season these news were related to Charles the Freeh King, then being in displeasure with King Henry, which without delay sent for Perkin into Ireland to the intent to send him against the King of England, which was invading France (as you before have heard). This Fleming Perkin was not a little joyful of this message, thinking by this only request to be exalted into heaven, when he was called to the familiarity and acquaintance of Kings and Princes. And so with all diligence sailed into France, with a very small navy, not so small as smally furnished. And coming to the King's presence was of him royally accepted, and after a princely fashion entertained, and had a guard to him assigned, whereof was governor the Lord Congreshal. And to him at Paris [Map] resorted Sir George Neville bastard, Syr John Taylor, Rowland Robinson and an hundred English rebels. But after that a peace, as before is said was appointed and concluded betwixt him and the King of England, the aid King Charles dismissed the young man, and would no longer keep him. But some men say which were there attending on him, that he fearing that King Charles, would deliver him to the King of England, beguiled the lord Congreshal, and fled away from Paris by night. But whether he departed without the French King's consent or dis-assent, he demeaned in his expectation, and in manner in despair, returned again to the Lady Margaret his first foolish foundation.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. When he had thus prudently consolate and appeased the minds of his men of war, he returned back again with his whole army, to the toun of Caieys [Map], where he began to smell certain secret smoke, which was like to turn to a great flame, without it were well watched and politicly seen to. For by the crafty invention and devilish imagination of that pestiforous serpent lady Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, a new idol was set up in Flanders, and called [her nephew] Richard Plantagenet, second son to King Edward the 4th as though he had bene resuscitate from death to life, which sudden news more stack and fretted in his stomach, then the battle which now was set late forward and more pain he had (not without great jeopardy of himself) to appease and quench this new sprung conspiracy, then in making peace with the French King his enemy. And so he was content to accept and receive (and not to offer and give) the honest conditions of peace of his enemy proffered and oblated, except he would at one time make war, be the at home in his own country, and also in foreign and external nations. Wherefore King Henry foreseeing all these things before (and not without great counsel) concluded with the French King, to the intent that he being delivered of al outward enmity might the more quickly provide for the civil and domestical commotions, which he perceived well to be budding out. The conclusion of the peace was thus, y^e the peace should continue both their lives, and that the French King should pay to King Henry a certain sum of money in hand, according as the commissioners should appoint for his charges sustained in his journey:

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. The duches thinking every hour from his departure a whole year, until such time she heard from him, and effectively desiring to know which way Lady Fortune turned her wheel, hearing him to be repudiate and abjected out of the French court, was in a great agony and much amazed and more appalled. But when she was ascertained of his arrival in Flanders, she no less revived, then he that bathe instead of the sword of execution, a pardon and restoration of his life and degree to him delivered and showed. And at his coming to her presence, she received him with such gladness, with such rejoicing and such comfort (as indeed she could dissemble alone above all other) as though she had never seen nor known him before, or as he were newly cropped out of his mother's lap again, that what in trust to prefer him to the pre-eminence by her imagined, and what for the hope that she had to destroy King Henry, she fell into such an unmeasurable joy, that she had almost lost her wit and senses. And that this her gladness might be notified and made appear unto every man, she first rejoiced of her nephew's health and welfare. And secondly she much thrusted and sore longed, not once, but diverse and sundry times in open audience, and in solemn presence to hear him declare and show by what meanes he was preserved from death and destruction, and in what countries he had wandered and sought friendship. And finally, by what chance of fortune he came to her court and presence. To the intent that by the open declaration of these feigned fantasies, the people might be persuaded to give credit and belief, that he was the true begotten son of her brother [her brother] King Edward. And after this she assigned him a guard of thirty persons in murray and blue, and highly honoured him as a great estate and called him the White Rose, Prince of England.