#administration/patronage - which set the precedent for all future English queens. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

wonder-worker · 6 months

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"A developed affinity certainly furthered the queen’s own political position, but the institutional ties between the king and the queen’s households enabled the queen to remain an important influence in the political arena. Furthermore, the extension of the queen’s influence and holdings did not solely benefit the queen. Rosemary Horrox has argued that Elizabeth Woodville’s networks and influence across East Anglia were so extensive that her dominance there was considered the main source of royal authority in the region. Moreover, Joanna Laynesmith has identified that when the queen was successful in administering her estates, she ultimately facilitated the king’s own administration in creating a vast spread of royal influence."

-Katia Wright, "A Dower for Life: Understanding the Dowers of England's Medieval Queens", Later Plantagenet and Wars of the Roses Consorts: Power, Influence, and Dynasty

#historicwomendaily #elizabeth woodville #my post #It's nice to see an analysis of EW as a queen whose successful administration facilitated and strengthened royal authority as a whole #rather than merely 'a Woodville' promoting her family #These two identities of hers would have undoubtedly overlapped but that's the point - they overlapped #They weren't distinct or separate from each other because the Woodvilles were ultimately 'part of the royal connection'#Of course at the same time it would be incorrect to ignore the novelty of EW's natal family's presence and effect on her queenship/#administration/patronage - which set the precedent for all future English queens.#(EW also had major interest in the Exeter lands - you can tell by her marriage maneuvers for her eldest son and eldest grandson)#(In 1469 she herself was placed fourth in line to those lands; in 1476 she received an additional annuity from its fee-farms; etc)

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